[Dan Thalkar]

The end of yesterday's afternoon session, where we learned about the influence of Confucian thought on modern bureaucracy and standardization, stuck with me. The connection to the civil service exam and current standardized testing is an excellent example to share with students to help them see how history, even when it takes place around the world, affects our world today. Additionally, I appreciated how these readings ranged among academic secondary sources, primary texts, and comics. Having students create a comic to synthesize complex issues and topics is a great way to lower the risk of writing an essay, allow for great amounts of creativity, and still ensure that the content was mastered. 

 

[Dan Thalkar]

The article "Bride School: Where South Korea's mail-order brides learn their trade" stuck out to me the most from the assigned readings. It's a fascinating issue, which I can see being used in a classroom in myriad ways. Even the headline, with its use of 'trade' creates much to analyze. Topics involving love or romance are generally high-engagement for students, and as such this article could be used as a launch into a look at different cultural marriage practices and traditions. It could also be used to explore topics such as economics, class, and colonization. A ready class discussion or debate would be whether or not students think this exchange is fair. There are many points to be found for both sides. 

[Dan Thalkar]

Hello everyone -

It's been nice to read your introductions; I look forward to meeting you all soon. I currently teach 4th and 5th grade Ethnic Studies at KIPP Corazon, though next year I'll be teaching high school social studies at a school in South LA. This is my ninth year teaching and 7th in Los Angeles. Prior to moving to LA, I lived in the Philipines for 2.5 years while serving in the Peace Corps. 

[Author]

Posts