Resources
As stated previously, there is an extensive amount of historical context associated with this novel. There is so much that most teachers are probably going to get tired of talking about it and wisely want to save their voice for their other class periods. This video helps to explain:
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I recommend that teachers show this video in sections. If students are shown the entire video at once before reading or once they have just begun, then they will probably not obtain the most rich reading experience. The Berlin Wall is not a widely taught historical event, so if students see this video too early then they may not feel inclined to read. They may assume they already know everything, and thus read the book on a surface level. Likewise, if the video is only shown to students once they have completed or almost completed the text, then students may not pay much attention to the video, despite the vivid colors and cartoon illustrations.
However, if teachers allow students to view this video in sections...then:
(1) It can help break up lecture time
(2) It can help students gain the most out their reading experience because the different video sections can help reinforce lecture teaching that was just taught and give students the understanding of historical context in a form other than lecture, as students are reading.
(3) Shorter video sections are less likely to result in students getting off task
Below are the sections that this video could logically be separated into:
0:00 to 1:09:
Great section to show before students begin reading; gives historical background events associated with the novel
1:10-2:35:
Outlines what factors prompted the building of the wall and how the wall affected the German people
2:36-4:30:
Describes the German peoples' reactions to the Berlin Wall
4:30-6:25:
Tells what the wall symbolized to the rest of the world and how this ultimately led to the fall of the Berlin Wall
(1) It can help break up lecture time
(2) It can help students gain the most out their reading experience because the different video sections can help reinforce lecture teaching that was just taught and give students the understanding of historical context in a form other than lecture, as students are reading.
(3) Shorter video sections are less likely to result in students getting off task
Below are the sections that this video could logically be separated into:
0:00 to 1:09:
Great section to show before students begin reading; gives historical background events associated with the novel
1:10-2:35:
Outlines what factors prompted the building of the wall and how the wall affected the German people
2:36-4:30:
Describes the German peoples' reactions to the Berlin Wall
4:30-6:25:
Tells what the wall symbolized to the rest of the world and how this ultimately led to the fall of the Berlin Wall
This website and YouTube video are great resources to help get the pot stirring on what students should be looking for while reading. As teachers, we never wanna tell our students the exact thing they should be looking for in literature because they stifles their creative thinking process and ability to grow...however we don't want our students to be stuck referencing only plot and setting forever (although those are important elements of literature). The webpage could serve as a helpful handout for students to reference while reading or it could help a teacher to compose their own handout. The video is great for those students who need examples to help them understand. The video outlines key elements of literature and also gives plenty of examples, so that students will have a better idea of what to pay attention to while reading. This will also take the pressure off of us, as teachers, because now we will not have to try to think of examples to share with the class.
Link to website:
https://www.roanestate.edu/owl/elementslit.html
Link to website:
https://www.roanestate.edu/owl/elementslit.html