I’ve just learned about the PBS website and film (available online) titled “A Class Divided” (and I learned about it from the excellent resource “TeachersFirst,” which I’ve described on more than one “The Best…” list).
Instead of reinventing the wheel, I’m just going to reprint the description written by TeachersFirst (I hope that’s okay with them):
This is one of the most requested programs for effectively conveying the reality of discrimination, what it feels like, and how it can change a person. Frontline, the PBS news-magazine show, produced this gripping piece that tackles the controversy, complexity, and consequences of discrimination that have shaped our society. This film and collection of activities are based on the 1970 documentary of the daring lesson that teacher Jane Elliott taught her third-grade class to give them a firsthand experience in the meaning of discrimination, immediately following the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. The film shows what she taught the children and the impact that lesson had on their lives. It includes three major segments: the footage of the original documentary of Jane Elliott’s third-graders, (approximately 20 minutes), the reunion of those third-graders 14 years later who talk about the effect her lesson has had on their lives, (approximately 7 minutes), and also Elliott teaching her lesson to adult employees of Iowa’s prison system and how their reactions to her exercise were similar to those of the children, (approximately 20 minutes). A Teachers’ Guide, as well as an abundance of supplementary materials that allow students to wrestle with realistic ideas, are available on this site.
I’m adding this resource to The Best Sites For Walking In Someone Else’s Shoes.
I used this video for teaching about race with my sociology class. There is a new movie called A class Divided: Then and Now. It takes a look back at the experiment and connects it to today. It interviews the students (who are now in their 30’s) and discusses their reaction to the experiment. Interesting video on race and perceptions in our society. My students really enjoyed this video.
Video: http://www.amazon.com/Class-Divided-Then-Now-Expanded/dp/0300040482
My Blog: http://notanotherhistoryteacher.edublogs.org/
I had to view this video for a homework assignment for my class. I truly appreciate being exposed to this video even at the age of twenty. People do not understand the harsh reality of discrimination. This video is a great example of how discrimination can really affect an individual’s confidence and the way they perform.