Hope for the Homeless Board Builder

We, as teachers, must teach our students respect by showing respect. Where does this fit into our rigorous curriculum? As Gardner states, “if one wishes to raise individuals who are respectful of differences across groups, a special burden is accordingly placed on education in the social sciences, the human sciences, the arts, and literature” (p. 114). Children are always watching what the adults around them are doing and listening to what they are saying. I have caught myself, on multiple occasions, saying things that are meaningless to me, but full of meaning to my students. By showing students what they say and do has an effect on others, we are developing their respectful mind.

According to Gardner, “the task for educators becomes clear: if we are to fashion persons who respect differences, we need to provide models and offer lessons that encourage such a sympathetic stance” (p. 110). The lesson I have developed is one that I would use with my BIONIC (Believe It Or Not, I Care) Club. The students in my building come from, mostly, lower SES. Students who have little or no food on the weekends, and students who may not have a safe place to live are more abundant than most realize. This lesson focuses on homelessness in our hometown. While it may not be something that is stated, many of our students can identify with this problem. In order to teach them how to react respectfully when coming in contact with someone who is homeless, they need to understand what is happening and how to help change it. 

The assessment piece of my lesson calls for an action plan. “Educators should prepare young persons for a life marked by good work” (Gardner, p. 127). Having students develop a plan of action puts them in the driver seat. Their ethical mind is developed by taking action, while interacting with people from another “class” than themselves develops their respectful mind.

Board Builder is a great tool for students to use in the classroom to develop all five minds. An extension for my lesson would be for students to create their own board to share with others about the given topic. They can easily enter media straight from Discovery Education, or upload content from another source. They can then share their board in a public forum to share with others. I have used this resource before and will continue to use it as long as it is available.

Reference:

Gardner, Howard (2009-02-01). Five Minds for the Future. Harvard Business Review Press. Kindle Edition.