The best part about teaching, is when something magically geeky happens!
So, at the beginning of the school year I gave myself a goal. I would find SOME way to incorporate The Hunger Games into my classroom. Thinking this was pretty near impossible, or at the least, very difficult, I didn't give it much attention.
Until last Thursday.
Halfway through my second social studies class, I had a student who couldn't quite grasp the idea of early civilization social classes. She knew they were a mark for the beginnings of civilizations, but she couldn't see exactly how all the different statures could exist. Which makes sense; we don't have that detailed and varied a status difference in America, or most of the world.
So without thinking, I compared President Snow to the king of a civilization. And then...BAM!! It hit me like a ton of lego bricks! I could make a Panem Social Status tree to compare the two! Oh HECK YEAH!!
Of course, I made sure all the students had either read the books, seen the movie, or at least were allowed to read it. After that, I had my next geeky lesson.
So for the good of all geek humanity, here is the PANEM SOCIAL CLASS TREE!!! (Starting from the top and going down. Obviously :)
King=President Snow
Nobles, Priests, Military Leaders=The Capitol, Game Makers, Peace Keepers
Merchants, Artisans= Districts 1-3
Farmers, Common Workers=Districts 4-12
Free People (Beggers, etc.)=District 13
Slaves=Avoxs, tributes
*Districts 1-3 are jewels, weaponry, and technology
**districts 4-12 include agriculture, livestock, fishing, textiles, machinery, and mining
*** And yes, tributes are like slaves. Their freedom is gone as soon as they become tributes, even if they volunteered.
I'm mentioning this particular post to illustrate that making a lesson applicable and relatable to students makes it memorable! It's using prior knowledge and believe me....they'll remember it! Now they may not remember the exact details, but they'll remember the lesson.
So try making things relevant to the students. As geeks, we generally already do this, but if you don't know what your students are reading, watching, or playing, ask them and then do the same! You'd be surprised what you can use in the classroom!
BTW, the girl totally gets social classes now. Mission Accomplished!
So what popular books have you incorporated into your lessons? Please share! I'll t
So, at the beginning of the school year I gave myself a goal. I would find SOME way to incorporate The Hunger Games into my classroom. Thinking this was pretty near impossible, or at the least, very difficult, I didn't give it much attention.
Until last Thursday.
Halfway through my second social studies class, I had a student who couldn't quite grasp the idea of early civilization social classes. She knew they were a mark for the beginnings of civilizations, but she couldn't see exactly how all the different statures could exist. Which makes sense; we don't have that detailed and varied a status difference in America, or most of the world.
So without thinking, I compared President Snow to the king of a civilization. And then...BAM!! It hit me like a ton of lego bricks! I could make a Panem Social Status tree to compare the two! Oh HECK YEAH!!
Of course, I made sure all the students had either read the books, seen the movie, or at least were allowed to read it. After that, I had my next geeky lesson.
So for the good of all geek humanity, here is the PANEM SOCIAL CLASS TREE!!! (Starting from the top and going down. Obviously :)
King=President Snow
Nobles, Priests, Military Leaders=The Capitol, Game Makers, Peace Keepers
Merchants, Artisans= Districts 1-3
Farmers, Common Workers=Districts 4-12
Free People (Beggers, etc.)=District 13
Slaves=Avoxs, tributes
*Districts 1-3 are jewels, weaponry, and technology
**districts 4-12 include agriculture, livestock, fishing, textiles, machinery, and mining
*** And yes, tributes are like slaves. Their freedom is gone as soon as they become tributes, even if they volunteered.
I'm mentioning this particular post to illustrate that making a lesson applicable and relatable to students makes it memorable! It's using prior knowledge and believe me....they'll remember it! Now they may not remember the exact details, but they'll remember the lesson.
So try making things relevant to the students. As geeks, we generally already do this, but if you don't know what your students are reading, watching, or playing, ask them and then do the same! You'd be surprised what you can use in the classroom!
BTW, the girl totally gets social classes now. Mission Accomplished!
So what popular books have you incorporated into your lessons? Please share! I'll t
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