I can't even write a summary for this one because I'm so flustered by it. Who in their right mind thought that this would be hunky-dory?!
First, murdering all those people was wrong, wrong, wrong. However, I think it depends on the reason for the assignment. If they were simply trying to teach these high schoolers how to debate, then yes, the subject matter was wrong. However, it says to use propaganda from that day in time to create the argument. There were a lot of kids their same age who were fooled into believing they were doing the right thing. Perhaps they were trying to learn a lesson in thinking through someone else's shoes and how easily we can also be persuaded to kill today (like abortion or whatever). I could see me using this assignment in an advanced class of high schoolers, but only if I gave clear instructions for the reason of the assignment and what would be done with it. It sounds like that wasn't done in this case.
I say an A+ in ethos, pathos and logos for all those who refused to do the assignment! I found this http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...e-common-core/2012/03/15/gIQA8J4WUS_blog.html. I think what hit me in the face was the comment “forces students to rely exclusively on the text instead of privileging background knowledge, and levels the playing field for all.” Which is exactly what this assignment does. It teaches kids to rely solely on what is given to them, no matter how slanted the view, and react exactly the same as everyone else. No thinking involved. And now, forget that this assignment happened because the class you will be in next year doesn't have the same background knowledge as you. Isn't learning about gathering information from various sources, using critical thinking skills, collaborating, gathering more information and so on and so on? Leveling the playing field is NOT possible. Everyone has their own histories, experiences, and feelings. Even if it were possible, it would inhibit what I consider learning. It is a scary, scary world.
I think the subject matter is a good one for kids to consider (i.e. how propaganda influenced the public's opinion of a group of people), but a persuasive paper isn't the only way to cover the topic. I think it could have been covered without kids being put into the position to persuade others to be bigots. A research paper on the topic would have been more appropriate.
YES! I don't have an issue with the teens having to study such things. In fact, I think they should. It was the specific assignment though, that's troublesome. There are far less controversial (though still controversial) subjects that could have been the focus of the specific assignment type without being culturally offensive. In speech and debate, we had to argue for something that we were not in favor of personally. And I see the benefits of such an assignment. But there are a few topics that are simply too hateful and hurtful and emotionally-charged and powerful to be reckoned with. And the Jewish plight in Nazi Germany is certainly one of them.
CNN says the school has apologized. http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/12/us/new-york-nazi-assignment/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 I think the real issue is that teachers are forced more and more to use assignments that are thought up by a third party (for-profit), and they're supposed to make all subjects tie together, even when they wouldn't naturally. The link above cites a math assignment where children had to calculate the number of slaves on a ship. Why can't they just calculate apples and leave the slaves for history class?
I think the teacher is being made a scape goat for the system. It was "her" fault and all., She should have known better. But I'm guessing that the reality is that (as 2littleboys said) she was TOLD what assignment to give to the kids, or it was part of the curriculum that she had no say in choosing or using, and was probably given no choice in altering it. But of course now it is "all her fault".
The teacher is TOLD what assignment to do, and, per common core aggreements, she CANNOT tell parents or anyone else about the assignments that are planned. It's bad all the way around.
I think they could have found another subject to use as a pursuasive argument.. There is too much going on in this world right now to insert jews or any other religious element in there.. Same sort of thing that I posted about earlier this year.. My 8th grade son had to write a persuasive paragraph on why HOMESCHOOL is bad and public school is so much better based on papers that the school provided.. Even the teacher made a comment that she was glad their was no homeschoolers in that class because they would be offended by it.. That's when my son told her he was homeschooled until this year. Homeschoolers have a hard enough time dealing with all the stigmas that are out there without having the public school system feeding into it.. And now that Texas homeschooler have a chance to play in public school sports teams, this is the LAST thing they need.. I'm STILL fuming over that!!!
