Promises (2015)

We started watching the documentary "Promises" today.  It's interesting to see how much things have changed in Israel since I started showing the film 9 years ago - but it's also interesting to see how little they have changed.  *I should also add a hat-tip to my colleague, Mr. Cowells, who was showing the film before I was hired.*

Here's the film trailer:

For those of you at home, the film is definitely worth watching.

We'll talk more about what's going on in Israel today as the film progresses.  For now, if you want extra credit for my class, watch and discuss the trailer with an adult.  Discuss it, and write down a couple sentences from your discussion.  Have the adult you discussed with sign the paper.  Turn it in tomorrow.

Israel and Palestine: Avoiding Bias

We're rushing around, trying to cram some last bits of learning into the school year.  I fit two lessons into one class period today.  Hopefully it wasn't too much.

Essentially, we looked at how difficult it is to teach the Israeli/ Palestinian Conflict.  There is bias everywhere you look.

Here are my thoughts from the two lessons I previously taught.  Follow the instructions at the end of those posts if you want the extra credit.

Lesson 1 - from May 13, 2014.

Lesson 2 - from May 14, 2014.

They're pretty good.

Also, today we drew a map of Israel: a J, a circle, a rope, and a peanut.

Product Placement

Product placement is one of my favorite topics.  Ask my wife.  I think she gets really tired of me talking about it all the time.

In our discussions about the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict we looked at this map:

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, we talk all about bias - and how this map was biased in favor of the Palestinians, and doesn't tell the whole story.  The bias is subtle, and maybe not intentional - but it's there.

I searched online to find a copy that was already hosted, and I came across this one as well:

It's pretty clear that this version of the map is biased against Palestine...

Both maps are trying to sell us a point of view.  In that way, they're a lot like product placement.  We may not even be aware of the fact that we're being sold something.

It's difficult to accept that we're constantly being manipulated - intentionally or not.  I'm not sure if being aware of it is enough... but it's a start.

You were supposed to read and discuss this blog with an adult.  If you've done this, ask them if they've noticed product placement anywhere.  Write down where they've noticed it, and have them sign the paper.

Turn it in tomorrow.

In case you're missing this, here's a link to the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict Map.

Bias and Propaganda

We're finishing up our discussions on the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict.  One of the difficulties in teaching this is finding material that is not heavily biased on one side or the other.  Also, it's sometimes difficult to identify my own hidden biases.

(At this point in reading the blog, students, tell the adult you're reading with what "bias" means.  If you forget, look it up...)

We discussed intentional and unintentional bias.  I defined propaganda as "intentional bias."  Maybe I should have taken it further and said, "information with an intentional bias which is shared with others in some media fashion, while purporting to not contain a bias."  We discussed it though, so I'm happy with my definition.

I had the students watch two video clips.  One is biased in favor of Israel, one in favor of Palestine.  Students had to be able to identify the bias, and cite evidence from the video to justify their claim.

Here are the videos:






Both sides are trying to sell you one version of the story.  And that's what bias does.  We're going to talk about bias, and being aware of it even more tomorrow when we look at product placement.

If you want extra credit for reading and discussing the blog, you need to have read and discussed it with an adult.  Discuss where you see bias in your own life.

When you're done, draw the J, circle, rope, and peanut to make Israel.  If you can't remember how to put them together to make Israel, just draw them.  Have the adult you read this with sign the paper (now a map) and put it in the extra credit tray tomorrow.

*I know I'm late getting this in here, but here's a link to the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict Map*