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High School
South Africa, Part II

 

 

Global Citizenship, Ubuntu, and more...
with Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Middle Elementary

South Africa, Part II has been developed for our older students. Should you decide to use this lesson, you will need to access this chapter via the Middle School or High School entry points.
Middle School
and
High School

Objective: These lessons are designed to help students gain a better understanding of voter issues, current events, and what it means to be informed citizens.

Lesson I: Begin by viewing all three video segments with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Use the survey provided to guide the class in a discussion on issues of local, national, and international importance.

Allow time to discuss each issue on the survey to make sure that the meaning of each issue is understood. After discussing each issue, provide students with one copy of the survey. Students should complete the survey based on their own views, as well as poll 4 additional people, one in each of the noted age groups.

Topic for Discussion: After allowing sufficent time for each student to complete the survey (2-3 days), compile the class results on a blackboard. Lead the class in a discussion to compare and contrast trends across age groups and genders. Pose the following questions: 

  • Were the students surprised by any of the results in a particular age group?
  • Were the students surprised by any of the results by a particular gender?
  • Why may certain issues be more important to different age groups?
  • Why may certain issues be more important to different genders?
  • Was there one overwhelming issue that resonated with all age groups and genders?
Additional Written Assignment: After completing the survey and class discussion, have students select one topic from the national OR international issues list on the survey. Research and write a 1-2 paragraph overview of the positions of the two 2008 United States presidential candidates stance on that issue.

Educator Notes: In the written assignment, students should cite or reference specific speeches, articles, and/or quotes to support their research on the candidates’ positions.

Student Assessment: After completing these lessons, students should have a basic understanding of key issues necessary to becoming informed local and global citizens.

Curriculum Connections: Government, Social Studies, Writing Skills