"We don't know the number of victims,
but I pray that every single person can be saved."
~Japan's Emperor Akihito, on Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
It is important to teach students about natural disasters around the world, especially in classes other than history. Many students probably don't follow the news, and it is essential that they study these natural disasters and have a better understanding of the causes and effects. American students need to know about and make connections with the lives that are changed by these disasters.
As a future English teacher, I believe that one great way of encouraging students to learn about the victims of the Japan Tsunami is to have them write letters to Japanese students. Even if their letters contain more than information about the tsunami, such as favorite sports, hobbies, and family life, students are still learning about the lives of those affected by the disaster. Students at Penn State Brandywine wrote letters to Japanese elementary students shortly after the tsunami, shown in the video below.
And it's not just college students who have done this. Students at Forest Ridge Elementary School, Robert Hunter Elementary School, and J.P. Case Middle School in New Jersey have banned together to write letters and collect donations to help Japanese children. They recently received a reply letter from the principal at Oofunato Elementary School thanking them for their support. He also sent pictures of the school, showing the damage from the tsunami. I believe that this is a great way to help students learn something about the Japan Tsunami that they wouldn't normally hear from the news while also encouraging and supporting the students of Japan who are struggling from this disaster.
"'I feel encouraged and energized,' our students at Oofunato Elementary School were saying as they read the letters. The message of 'people around the world are thinking about you!' brought tears to the eyes of some."
~Masaaki Kashiwazaki, Principal at Oofunato Elementary School
Wow - I would never have thought of this angle! Looking forward to tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteHi Caitlin,
ReplyDelete"I believe that one great way of encouraging students to learn about the victims of the Japan Tsunami is to have them write letters to Japanese students."
I love this idea! It truly personalizes the catastrophic events in Japan, and provides a means to make them tangible to students. Letter writing connects U.S. students to their Japanese counterparts, contextualizes these real-life events, and provides opportunities for practice in content area (English). Bonne idée!
~Mindy