Newsletter

Rachel Harmon, language arts teacher at Spring Lake Area Learning Center, had a remarkable semester. She came to us in late summer and said, “I want to teach about genocide this fall; what can I do?” In December she sent an update on her classes’ activities. Excerpts from her letter appear below. For information about her curriculum, contact Rachel at rharmon@cseced.org 952-492-3993 ext. 18.

I have been working with my two 11th and 12th grade literature classes since the beginning of the school year studying genocide. We started with the book Night and studied the Holocaust in depth. We followed that up with Upstanders, which was a big hit. Many students called the anti-genocide hotline, 1-800-GENOCIDE, and one person received a personal reply from his representative in Congress.

Students in groups researched different genocides, created informational posters, and presented them to the class. We watched Hotel Rwanda, read articles about Rwanda, and watched an excellent documentary about how the women left in Rwanda are dealing with the loss of men and their rise in power. We also read the play I have before me a remarkable document given to me by a young lady from Rwanda.

We watched The Devil Came on Horseback, which really shook some of the kids who hadn’t understood the whole idea of what has happened in the past. They were excited to see President Obama speak out for the Darfur people and many of them were very frustrated we aren’t doing more.

Every student sent letters to President Obama or their senator and representative. Though my students aren’t the best writers, I was overwhelmed by the thought they put into their letters.

The students wanted to go to classes at other high schools and teach what they learned and how to get involved. They arranged nine presentations at area schools and churches and reached over 500 people with their message of education and advocacy. Senior Duran Glazek said, “We are making a difference in the world by teaching others about what is happening in Darfur. My experience has been outstanding and a lesson I can apply in life.”