Summary: Starting with a solid understanding of the historical context, students reflect on and discuss issues related to resourcefulness and resilience. Students have an opportunity to express their creativity by engaging in activities such as storytelling, writing, or artwork, exploring their own personal items or experiences that represent resourcefulness and resilience.
Main age group: 15-18
Time needed: 2-3 x 45-minute periods
Objectives:
- Students will gain an understanding of the significance of personal belongings and their connection to individual and collective experiences during times of war and adversity.
- Students will develop an awareness of the impact of war on individuals and communities, as well as the resourcefulness and resilience exhibited during challenging circumstances.
- Students will engage in critical thinking by analyzing the story of the jeans and reflecting on the actions taken by the individual to repair and repurpose them, considering the significance of resourcefulness and resilience.
- Students will cultivate empathy by imagining themselves in the shoes of the individual who wore the jeans and reflecting on their experiences, emotions, and the symbolic meaning attached to the jeans.
- Students will enhance their communication skills by sharing their thoughts, reflections, and interpretations of the story, fostering meaningful discussions and exchanges of ideas within the classroom.
- Students will have an opportunity to express their creativity by engaging in activities such as storytelling, writing, or artwork, exploring their own personal items or experiences that represent resourcefulness and resilience.
- Students will reflect on the values of resourcefulness and resilience, recognizing their importance in overcoming challenges and adversity, and considering how these values can be applied to their own lives and communities.
- Students will develop an appreciation for the diverse ways in which individuals navigate and adapt to difficult circumstances, recognizing the importance of preserving and valuing personal stories and experiences.
- Students will reflect on the impact of war and conflict on individuals and communities, fostering a deeper understanding of the lasting effects and the significance of personal items as symbols of resilience and strength.
- Students will have an opportunity for personal growth through self-reflection, recognizing their own potential for resourcefulness and resilience in the face of challenges, and gaining inspiration from the story of the jeans.
Materials needed: Art supplies such as paint, markers, colored pencils, and paper.