Learning Gap and Instructional Needs

​

In the wake of the George Floyd protests in 2020, it became apparent that many people in the U.S. do not understand the concept of systemic racism or the history associated with it in the country. There are so many examples of how this has shaped our society, it is shocking that it has not been taught in schools for so long. Even adults, who were taught in schools that suppressed this information, need somewhere to start beyond what they read debated in the news or social media.

​

I have already created a ThinkLink interactive poster with the same name and a podcast covering each topic would give students another way to access the concepts.

​

 

Instructional Strategy 

 

For all of the materials associated with this topic, a major goal is to spark genuine interest and curiosity in these problems. In addition to providing anther mode of learning, the podcase would also model how an adult who is still in the process of learning more might think about these issues and provide their teachers questions or debates for their consideration.

 

The podcast would a 10 minute podcast to accompany the interactive poster. Each week would include a hook - with a quote or news story - that demonstrates systemic racism today. The terms would be explained and then the source linked to that letter would be used to offer additional insight. If it were going to be longer, I would add another segment where I interviewed another teacher or student on these issues. I might even have my kids take turns giving their 60 second take on the topic.