From a young age we are taught the value of learning from our mistakes. The logic goes something like this– when we make mistakes we see opportunities for improvement and learning. Failure makes us wise. Yet, we also learn just as much through our successes for it is through them that we discover what we did right and what we should continue to do next time. Failure and success are both important teachers in our lives.
Freedom is an often-used yet really complex concept. Many consider freedom something that is granted to them which they don’t have to work for. Others see freedom as something denied, and something that must be fought for. These different conceptions of freedom spring from different life experiences which are in turn shaped by a person’s gender, race and ethnicity.
In another post we had Einstein assisting MLK to teach the Letter From a Birmingham Jail. For this post we’re using a MLK quote to teach the Articles of Confederation, another required document in the AP government and politics …
When teaching the novel Into the Wild by John Krakauer, I can focus on the theme of the pursuit of happiness and introduce the Susan B. Anthony conversation and the concept of Freedom at the beginning of the novel. At …
Freedom means different things to different people, and some throughout history have had to struggle more to get it than others. After reading Kate Chopin’s classic “The Story of an Hour”, students can use the conversation with Susan B. Anthony …
Freedom and happiness are two concepts that most students believe have undeniable value. Look no further than the Declaration of Independence and its famous phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” to see evidence of this value. Yet, on a personal level, it is an open question whether independence actually leads to happiness in all cases for all people. Sometimes, surrendering independence might be necessary to gain fulfillment. Students have the life-long challenge of deciding when pursuing independence–or giving it up– is the best path to follow to get what they want.
Seems counter-intuitive to me. But maybe I’m missing something. Inspired by stoic philosopher Epictetus, here’s how you can work through the 3-Step conversation method to create an essential question for a US history unit on imperialism.