session 2 readings (and debate questions), 3/6

[Anonymous]

As I reflect on this assignment/debate it stands as one of the most memorable. It encourages me to designed more lessons were my students have to debate and discuss.

[Anonymous]

Reading “Early Chinese History” was important to understand my school of thought and helped prepare me for the debate. As I read I was able to see the transition of each school and their connection to each other. My focus was the “Legalist” school of thought. I soon figured it was the most strict and selfish school. They sole focused on placing the state above all. The Legalist believed in a reward and punishment system. Through military power the state could control order and production and with time would yield to wealth and power. Although it seem to be the most powerful it did last as long as the other schools of thought.
edited by jmartinez on 6/23/2017

[Anonymous]

I complete agree with you! This was a fun experience, it allowed us to truly study our school of thought. Doing debates in the classroom always helps expand the understanding of the concepts being defended. The students could truly internalize their position.
edited by jmartinez on 6/23/2017

[Anonymous]

I think that the plans given to us were good. However, I was thinking that students generally have their own beliefs about human nature--are people naturally good or naturally bad--, what is the best way to solve a common problem, and how should people interact with one another. I think you could easily engage kids by having them read about ALL four groups and then have them pick which one they think is the best approach to life. You can sort students by having them move to different corners in the room, each philosophy gets one corner. Then you could do a couple things.

1. Have likeminded students build arguments for their side or approach
2. Give out scenarios. See if their Philosophy can deal with the scenario/problem proposed.
3. Have students create arguments that counter the approach they feel is best. Then have them create counter arguments to the counter arguments that they came up with.

[Anonymous]

While I enjoy reading about all of the Chinese philosophies, after reading about Han Fei Zi and Shang Yang, I feel that Legalism, combined with Confucianism is perhaps the best way to run a classroom. Discussing the Four Schools of thought at the beginning of the year may be an interesting way to discuss classroom order and expectations. After reviewing the four, I'll tell them that I am a legalist--clear rules, consistency, reward and punishment--and these are the ideal relationships and how they should look, a nod to Confucianism. I'll think about it and refine it, but I think that talking about the Four Schools is a great way to bring up and discuss classroom expectations in an academic fashion.

Ideas for Relationships:
Teacher-Student
Staff-Student
Student-Student
Student-Textbook, Property, etc

[Anonymous]

Here is a video I use in class that is simple for Middle Schoolers, meets state standards on Confucian ideas, and includes vocabulary such as the Mandate of Heaven and Filial Piety. It is that perfect middle road between giving too much or too little information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O--AFCI4HCU

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed the structure of this class. This was similar to how I might engage my students with a lesson. Each is given a different family of thought and then expected to read up/research that particular group. Then they share out their findings to their group or the rest of class. In essence they become the teachers to their peers.

[clay dube]

Hi Folks,
In this session, we'll be having a debate which will include these questions and others:

1. What is the basic nature of human beings?
2. Describe the organization and conduct of an ideal society. How is it organized? What are aims of the state and how do the people and the state interact? To whom do we owe loyalty?
3. What are the core components of education in that ideal society? How are people taught? What are they taught?
4. How can we move from the society we have to the ideal one? What is to be done?

Please read the attached Hundred Flowers teaching guide which will introduce the four leading schools of thought. Prepare to represent your school in the debate.
edited by Clay Dube on 2/27/2017

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[Anonymous]

I would like to say that the debate lesson was one of my favorite class among this seminar section. I enjoyed the class structure which the professor conducted the debate.
I used the same structure in my classroom and was very satisfied by the students' active learning. While teaching the clothes units, I directed a class debate which grouped the students into Korean Hanbok, Chinese Qipao and Japanese Kimono. I had the each group describe their representing traditional cloth first: the looks, the materials, and origin and so on. Then had the students debate on how it feels to wear on, which one is more comfortable and practical?
I had planned it for one class however, due to the students' request, I have to extend for one more lesson time for the debate.
Learning through debate is definitely a strategy that I will use in my classroom more in the future.

[Author]

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