Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Knowing needs from wants
Students discuss deeper meanings of human rights
Push a kid's button or two over iPods and hot-label clothes being a want or a need, and pretty soon Tanis Westdal's Grade 7 students are talking about the far greater human rights priorities of having someone to love and care for you, having a government that's not corrupt and not being forced to become a child soldier."It's very powerful -- it makes you think about it after you've talked about it," said student Emma Trevenen.
Westdal, a teacher at Churchill High School, has been working for more than a year on an overhaul of the human rights portion of the grades 7 and 8 language arts curriculum, and this year is piloting the changes with her kids at Churchill.
Previously, that part of the course involved reading and discussing a novel, but now the students will range far and wide talking about human rights, then examining how they fit in Manitoba and throughout the world.
Today is World Teacher Day, and the focus this year is on peace education and social justice, says the Manitoba Teachers' Society.
Westdal's lesson on needs and wants started with the students sorting through 16 cards varying from clean water and health care and shelter, to electronic devices and fast food.
A "want," said Westdal.
"If you don't have it, you won't die; does everyone agree with that?
"I personally want a laser sailboat to go sailing in the Whiteshell, but if I don't have it, I won't stop breathing," she said.
But this wasn't a teacher lecturing and kids taking notes to learn by rote -- these articulate kids soon took ownership and directed the discussion.
They added "love and caring" to the essential needs, the right to not be persecuted by a corrupt government, the right to live free of racism and sexism.
"Love is like having someone to look after you and care for you," said Emma, as every child said he or she would give up any "want" in return for having loving parents.
"You're pretty deep thinkers for Grade 7 students," said Westdal with a smile.
"It's harder when you have to narrow it down to what you essentially need," said student Griffin Jenkins.
"We've been talking about integrating language arts and social studies," Griffin said, so that the students examine human rights in language arts, then use their social studies slot to see how they apply.
Dane Falavena said he can equate good government to the provision of clean air and water, and adequate shelter for everyone.
He's read the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, said Dane, which were legislated "a long time ago."
Yes, he said, he knows the charter was proclaimed in 1982, and that's a long time ago, he reiterated.
Ouch.
nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 5, 2009 A2
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