Gandhi, Parks, King

Yesterday we started watching Gandhi.  The movie is about the Indian independence movement, (Indiana Standard 7.2.1 - for those of you who care...), but it also ties in with a lot of other concepts and topics we've looked at throughout the year:  I won't list the standards... if you really want them, just ask.

• Colonization
• Imperialism
• Human Rights
• Religions (Mainly Hinduism and Islam, but others are in as well)
• Geography
• Government and Law

 Gandhi also ties in with U.S. History quite well: Dr. King said of Gandhi:  "India's Gandhi was the guiding light of our technique of non-violent social change."  Indeed, the second scene of the movie shows Gandhi being kicked off a train for refusing to give up his seat.  This was in 1893 - more than 60 years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat.  There are numerous parallels between these two movements, but I have limited time.

It also ties in with U.S. History because the United States was once a British colony as well.  The United States fought for its independence, so tracing the paths of resistance and forms of oppression by the British is worthwhile.


If you want the extra credit today, bring your parents up to date with what is going on in the movie.  Parents (or whatever adult is reading this) ask your kid some questions about it.  Ask them to tie it in with Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights movement.  Then, when you're done, write at least three sentences about the discussion.  Have the adult you read the blog with sign the paper.  Turn it in on Monday.