Submitted by: Jeff Molin
School: Byrd Middle School
Summary
Say what? Did you read the Analects of Confucius? They are rather confusing! What do they mean, and how did they influence Ancient Chinese & Japanese Civilization? Do they have anything to do with how we treat each other in modern civilization? In this lesson, students will find, evaluate, and use primary source documents to analyze one of the Analects of Confucius. Students will use this analysis to form their own interpretation of the Analect and how it influenced Ancient China/Japan. Students will then use all of the information to develop original ideas to compose their own Analect that addresses modern society based on the principle of the original Analects. At the conclusion of the lesson students will creatively communicate their information with their classmates while considering if there is a code that influences how people treat each other in modern day civilization.
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Target: This lesson provides students with the opportunity to find, navigate through, and evaluate large amounts of information. The teacher provided guided and independent research opportunities for students to make decisions and create their own Analect. The teacher facilitated an environment where students were engaged in research and using information fluently. The students constructed their own questions that guided their research and selected the most appropriate tools and information sources. They then had to assemble the information to complete the authentic task of making their own Analect based on the synthesis of their findings.
Approaching: This lesson provided students with the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with their peers to reach a common goal; find, decipher, and create an Analect. Students were responsible for establishing norms within their partnership/groups and used their own selected tools to facilitate their collaboration. The teacher designed a challenge that promoted collaboration within the classroom and taught students how to collaborate without direct supervision.
Target: In this lesson students had to generate and respond to their own questions, justify their decision-making with their partner/group, and apply digital tools (database, discussion forums, word processing, etc.) to think critically about the meaning and creation of their own Analect. Students were responsible for selecting the most appropriate digital tool to find and use their information to create their product. At the conclusion of the activity students reflected on critical thinking practices by engaging in a group discussion.
Approaching: This lesson provided students with the opportunity to develop their own ideas and create products through the application of critical thinking, research, and collaborative processes. The teacher provided students with the opportunity to create unique ideas and products. Students were responsible for synthesizing self-generated knowledge to create new ideas and Analects within the assignment parameters.
Student Artifact
Analects of Confucius from Kourtney Bostain on Vimeo.
