This is an adaptation of a prior lesson used to teach abolitionism in Black and Latin History, and revolutionary figures in Modern World History. Instead of students looking at historic social change-makers and how they weave together into an ecosystem, they will anthropomorphize everyday objects. This activity is in line with Bennett’s conception of objects with agency.
Objective: Students will personify objects as agents of social change and assign roles according to Deepa Iyer’s Social Change Framework.
Teaching Plan: In groups of 2-4, students will choose a room in their home. They will create an exhaustive list of all the objects that may be in that room. Then, with their group, they will fill out a Social Change Template for at least four of the objects. They will have to explain the rationale for the objects they chose, and the objects they did not choose. Then, they will post the templates on a wall to showcase the different roles objects may take. This can be done digitally as well using concept map tools such as MindMup. Lastly, they view the work of other groups, and with post-it notes add “I notice” statements. Social change may not necessarily be viewed as positive and can be adverse. For example, a cotton t-shirt may have negative consequences for workers and the environment. During discussion, the teacher will ask: “Is there a preponderance of one type of role our modern day objects fit into? Which objects and roles are not represented?”
Exit Ticket: How does viewing objects as agents of change affect how you interact with them?
Slides:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M9ZvpmSnOeW9HTnLaPdJFguzwVxVyp1q3jI9R2LIuhk/edit?usp=sharing
Worksheet:
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1kwDv_iZjVpnPJ3hsS8wmM7tn9j69K0eKJ8reZpIdDgo/edit?usp=sharing
Visual Representation
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uCjm9QAHY6MMUDXlG-22xo47NlrpKYiO/view?usp=sharing;
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lYc85Y2asWvito1LXcLp54T_1rnTp1cM/view?usp=sharing;
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WEvjmF1WIBAa3RwlXWyEeaxQRuHS_RZP/view?usp=sharing
Materials:
- Large blank wall space OR large bulletin paper OR if digital, Mindmap
- String/yarn, OR marker (depending on whether you want to create the web as drawn or more 3D)
- Each student receives a copy of the Social Change Ecosystem Map and Roles description
- Prior classwork/notes
- Access to Printer AND/OR artistic talents of students (if not using digital Mindmap)
- Paper (construction or printer)
- Template print outs
- Tape
- Internet
