[Sarah Lee-Park]

2/27 class

1.     Can you use historical debate in your class, or have you ever used it before? In what way? (We would love to learn from your experience or your ideas on how to implement this!)

Yes- as an English teacher, I often use historical debate or discussion in class. Using context from the historical time and understanding the socio-political issues and culture help with comprehending literature and also aids with application in contemporary issues and personal connections.  Although we might not agree with historical customs, having and understanding of their roots and purposes allow students to better understand content and also see how many of our current ideas and cultural norms developed.

Students can find ways to connect to literary characters and to see from their perspective when they study historical events and social norms of the times. 

2.     Scenario: You found out that your father has broken the law, and he knowingly broke this rule. What should you do? (Please respond from the perspective of your school - Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, Legalism)

As a Confucianist, I feel that protecting the honor of my elders is of foremost importance. Preventing discovery and perhaps shielding my father in law is my duty. If discovered, protecting my father in law from shame and punishment would be my goal. If compensation or restitution could be made, I would offer it and seek to prevent further wrongdoing by monitoring my father in law. As a woman, I would have little real power, but would use any influence and resources to aid my husband to keep his father from further wrongdoing. Although it is not my place to “teach” my elders, perhaps appealing to his duty as the head of the family to keep the name respectable might deter him from future defiance of the law. According to Confucianism, balance is important, so some sort of compensation would be required… another family member might be offered to suffer in his place.

[Sarah Lee-Park]

A more recent cultural influence of the 2000's is in the Nickelodean series Avatar:The Last Airbender.  My children were fans of the show and we watched it as a family. Many of Chinese and other Asian cultural references and symbols were scattered throughout... such as Yin/Yang and the need balance.  There was a setting of an "Air Temple" that strongly resembles the Hengshan Temple in Shanxi.  Evidence of Confucian, Daoist and Legalism are sprinkled throughout the series as well. 

[Sarah Lee-Park]

I'm a late addition... can I be added to Confucianism?

[Sarah Lee-Park]

Hi there!  I'm Sarah.  I have a degree in Poli Sci from UC Berkeley and a MAT in ECLS (English and Comparative Literary Studies).  I started teaching in a Korean private school in 1990 where I taught K and 1st grade for 3 years and 7-12 for 4 years.  I then began working in LAUSD in 1997 and have just recently moved to my home school (one block from my house!) after 25 years at the same high school teaching English.  I've raised four children and survived 31 years of marriage... I'm excited to be taking a course now that my youngest has turned 18 and I have a moment to catch my breath before she leaves for college.  I'm not very tech savvy and I hope I can keep up in this online course.  Please help me.  I hope I can add to the discourse...

I currently teach 8th and 8th graders in an IB school.  IB is very new to me... and I'm kind of a dinosaur.  The last 15 years, I taught mostly honors and AP in a Highly Gifted Magnet, grades 9-12.

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