Colonization: Teaching
Ideas and Resources
By Jill
Jenkins
One
of my readers has requested some ideas for teaching about colonialism. Since I primarily was a Language Arts
teacher, but was also certified and taught speech, theater, computers, reading
and alternative education, I think I am just the right person to research
this. I am joking of course, but since I
believe we teach children, not just subjects, I thought I would take a stab at
it. One thing I can tell
if you can incorporate reading, writing, and critical thinking, the language
arts teachers in your building will be your friend forever. One of the most difficult and important
skills that students can develop is to synthesize examples, data and ideas from
several sources into one coherent paper.
The study of history is the perfect platform to teach the skills found
in the Common Core Language Arts Test.
Help us, history teachers, please.
Step One: Read about It
Since
many students are unaware of a world outside their own existence, teaching
history is particularly challenging. On
resource that I have found valuable are a set of book written in Great Britain:
Horrible
Histories by Terry Deary. The particularly useful book is entitled, The Barmy
British Empire. These graphic
non-fiction writing presents histories in texts, cartoons and creations. On particularly excellent piece describes the
plight of the aborigines living on Tasmania who were hunted by the more
civilized British colonist. I use this
particular selection after my class reads the short story, “The Most
Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell to demonstrate that the short story is
more a reflection of reality than just pure fantasy. However, if you were introducing how the
colonization of varies land negatively impacted them, this would be a great
resource.
Another
resource might be to have students research why countries created colonies. Two
different methods might’s be to have students read Karl Marx
‘s “The Modern Theory of Colonisation” and discuss what reasons Europeans
had for colonizing the world or you could compare the behavior of the Europeans
to those of America and their view of Manifest Destiny. Other articles that might be useful for
students to read include:
·
“The
Long Term Consequences of the Colonization of Africa” by Stanley Courage
Duoghah
·
“Positive
Effects of Colonialism” by Byerris
Step Two: Talk about It
After
the students have read a couple of articles, put them into partners and have
one student argue for colonization and one against. They must support their position from the
evidence that they find in the articles. On great article is a web site describing the massacre of the Northwest Shoshone tribe at Bear River in 1863. Click here
Step Three: View a Video
By adding videos to the educational
blend, teachers can make this particular unit unforgettable. I will warn you that you need to preview
these videos before you use them with your class, because many of them show women
somewhat lacking in clothing and grisly scenes of violence. Nevertheless, they will leave a mark. The best video is the most graphic, but the
most informative comes from the BBC. http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/10/07/this-video-gives-a-devastating-look-on-how-european-imperialism-drove-so-many-black-populations-to-near-extinction/. The video
demonstrates the devastating effects of colonialism on Africa, the South
Pacific, America, and South America. The
illustrations are graphic, but the information is powerfully presented. Another almost equally powerful video
describes the affects colonialism had on the even modern day Africa:
A third, video
describes the psychological effects of colonialism on Africa, but how the
introduction of technology has a positive effect. The film is not interesting as it is only a
professor talking: however, his analysis is interesting.
Other videos
that will be useful of connecting the past to the present:
One of my readers, James Huie, a high school social studies teacher, recommended three longer movies:
- Rabbit Proof Fences: This film depicts the negative impact on colonialism in Australia describing the journey of three aboriginal girls. The film is based on a true story. I have seen this film and can attest that it is a powerful film.
- The Mission: This film starring Robert DeNiro and Jeremy Irons examines the impact of "The Treaty of Madrid" in 1750 on Jesuit Missions as the land was being transferred to the Portuguese. The remote tribe of Native Americans were in danger of falling into slavery. I haven't seen this film but James recommends it strongly.
- Guns, Germs and Steel is both a book published in 1997 and a National Geographic Movie. The premise of both is Professor Jared Diamond searches world and comes to the conclusion that the fate of all mankind depends largely on their contact with guns, germs and steel. Using anthropology, historical reenactments and science to support his conclusion, the film depicts the effects of colonialism on different cultures and locations. Again, this is a film that I have not seen, but James Huie strongly recommends.
- Smithsonian Magazine “The Youngest Victims of Belgian Rule”https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/shattered-the-youngest-victims-of-belgian-rule-still-seeking-justice-decades-later-180981813/
Step Four:
Write and Create a Project
To
help students assimilate all of the information, you may want them to create a
Power point Presentation or better yet a Google Presentation where they
research a part of the world impacted by colonialism and present how it
impacted that area of the world both in negatively and positively.
Another assignment would be to
write a diary entry as colonist and their view of what they are doing in that
country and a diary entry of an individual is who the victim of colonization.
This might be a good time to discuss Mahatma Gandhi
and present his struggle to end colonialism in India. Perhaps, the students
could compose and present a song: “The struggle against the Imperialists” or “Gifts
from the Colonies.”
Step Five: Reflect on What You Have
Learned
The final
step is for students to reflect on what they have learned about
colonialism. One method is simply a
discussion where small groups of students identify what are the most important
events and consequences of colonialism. A second method is for students to write
about the most important events and consequences of colonialism. A third method
is to have each student write a letter to a country that was colonized and
sympathizing for the atrocities and explaining what motivated those who did
them.
Varying the
methods and the mode of instruction will make the message more meaningful and
memorable for your students. The
advantage of using short reading and the short videos found on You Tube is it
allows the class to discuss and digests small pieces of knowledge. If the
teacher ties these small strings together with projects, it should increase
student learning.
