Play Book Tag discussion

I am devastated by something that happened at school yesterday and after carrying around for a while debating who might be a source of comfort and support I realized who I should turn to . We haven't met but you are my friends and I feel we share a lot. I teach 8th grade as some of you may no. It's been a particularly difficult ear for a variety of reasons and I've been very demoralized and unsure of whether or not I want to continue teaching, which has been my passion for over 10 years. We've been studying the Holocaust and genocides. past and present. Yesterday it came to my attention that some of my students were constructing concentration camps when playing Minecraft, a school sanctioned free time activity.I contacted parents and came up with consequences. Since this happened at the end of the day. I couldn't really address it completely but plan to on Monday. With all of the racially motivated shootings and increase in violence I'm particularly disturbed. I've been looking for lessons and activities to help in my discussion Monday but I'm just crushed. Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to vent. If you have any ideas, please share them with me.

Wow! I have no ideas for you Sally's, but I will think on it and I'd I come up with anything I will speak up. Is the principal aware of this? I may just be an old fat, but Minecraft in a school setting ?!? WTH is happening in our schools?

FYI I am on my phone as my computer is acting up. excuse the worse than normal typing/grammatical mistakes for the foreseeable future

I will talk to her on Monday. She was out Friday. But yes. believe it or not they have Minecraft as an earned Privelege on Friday afternoon. Our society is coming apart.

Wow! Sallys, I hear you and I am thinking about you, but need to mull it around in my mind a bit and will get back to you if I come up with anything.

I taught preschool and over the years, I had times in which one child would refuse to play with another child because they looked different or their skin was too dark. I always immediately informed the parent, even though I suspected that perhaps the attitude was formed at home.

I then always had a unit about friendship, equality and differences among people. We always talked about friends looking different, hurt feelings, treating people kindly and other issues of equality which a preschooler can understand. We did books, art, science projects and anything I could think of to reinforce the lesson.
This is something which I believe quite fiercely and want to stifle asap.

I'm not sure what subject you teach but issues with eight graders would be a bit different. I'm thinking of bullying/power issues and that constructing concentration camps give them feelings of power and maybe looking at that.

I wonder how their parents reacted when you discussed it with them.

In my mind, I'm thinking not just dealing with the issue straight on, which could result in more feelings of loss of power, but chipping away at it from the side as well, if that makes any sense.

Wow!

Sallys you sound like you care a great deal about the kids you teach.

You are attempting to bring a moral aspect to your relationship with your students and that's a good thing.

Perspective and empathy come from age and experience. And kids have neither age or experience - and so little to no perspective or empathy.

See how the adults (parents and school administration) react on Monday.

Thanks for your feedback. I've been dealing with issues of empathy and acceptance because there is a definite culture of disrespect in my room. An sense of apathy as well. I've been teaching Middle School for several years and have never encountered this before. It's so disturbing. One of the parents was receptive and quite upset. The other was upset as well but we didn't speak as much. I'm hopeful that I'll get the kind of support I expect from the principal. She is unpredictable and has her own power I'm not sure since I addressed the issue without her input. I teach the kids all subjects, so being with tem all day has been draining. I've also has three different assistants- one quit and one was fired.

There are books and films for that age with young people as victims of the Holocaust. Maybe they should read/watch one and have to write a report. That was done for some teens who defaced a synagogue. I think it is important for them to understand why this is wrong.

It would be interesting to ask what they were thinking, who would they want to put in a camp and why? Is this a way of kids who themselves are afraid of bullies, world events or whatever trying to feel powerful?Was it one kid’s idea and others just went along?

I feel for you Sally. Like BnB, I was an early childhood teacher, and I can say that such cultural sickness starts early. It's possibly easier with young children to make use of the teachable moment with focussed lessons. Socialization is more traditionally part of early education.

But, that's the best you can do. Make use of the teachable moment. Young adolescents are testing everything! You can have a positive impact even if you can't see the evidence of it right away. All you can do is to give it your best shot. Approaching their parents was a good start.

I've been very grateful in the past few years that I've been retired from teaching. And it's true that frustration and burnout were factors when I decided to retire early. I understand the feeling that it would be best to walk away. I stuck with it for over 30 years. That was enough. I provided for myself and my family and I think that I provided a necessary service.

What you do is a necessary service. Someone has to have the dedication to do it. You have to take care of yourself if you want to continue.

I am so stunned!

Being a lawyer, my mind might go in a different direction as I have no idea about teaching kids. What I go to is both research and solutions.

Obviously talk to the principle but also to whoever has taught the class last year because you talk about struggling all year. It sounds like more is going in within the class and affecting the class.

What about you, the parents, and the principle should meet to talk about how to educate the kids on how wrong this is, together working out maybe a reading program stretching into the summer requiring book reports? That the parents participate in?

I do have a tendency to believe that racism and disrespect are learned to some degree in the home.

But any privilege to play Minecraft needs to end.

Thanks for all of your great suggestions. Robin, I like that idea a lot. I'm thinking the Boy In The Striped Pajamas.

I think there is a special place in heaven for eighth grade teachers. When I was in eighth grade, we were all pretty horrible creatures. We would say or do outrageous things to be funny, to act tough, to shock, or to try out different personas.

I'm glad there are teachers like you are willing to do something rather than just wring their hands. I hope there is a deep learning opportunity for the kids, not just punishment. With some families, certain punishments just build up resentments, or gain the attention of the press.

I would want to talk to the kids to find out about the discussion that occurred when they did this. Was it a hate filled discussion, or was it about learning? People tour the camps to learn of the horrific effort the Nazis put into the camps. Maybe these kids were applying their lesson to a hands-on activity? Or were trying to do something just for the shock value?

I tend to want to give teenagers the benefit of the doubt, and the opportunity to change. But I recognize that teenagers filled with hate can be deadly.

If you suspect it's about hate, it might be helpful to have a guest speaker with a pertinent story to tell. This can create a unique and memorable learning experience, especially if combined with a facilitated discussion. Perhaps a relative of a holocaust survivor, or a victim of the attack on the synagogue in PA. I also like Robin's idea about a movie. As we all know, books and movies can create empathy.

Or a field trip to the Holocaust Museum in lower Manhattan on a Friday rather than playing Minecraft.

I thought of having a speaker- maybe a child of a survivor but that is tricky because of Covid restrictions. Perhaps an oral history. I will definitely have a discussion with them about indifference and apathy , a topic that has come up before.

I wasn't going to talk about this here, but I think it's necessary to recognize the damage that hate filled teenagers can do if they are not somehow redirected.

Last week an 18 year old from Binghamton traveled a couple hundred miles to kill 10 black strangers in the parking lot of a supermarket in Buffalo. Our whole community is still reeling from it. I've been avoiding the news as much as possible, but here is what I know:

He apparently planned it for two years. He was heavily influenced by the alt right racist talk, and racist websites . Two years ago he told many people that he wanted to become famous for killing a lot of people. He was reported and was sent for a psychological evaluation. I don't know if there was any attempt at therapy or other intervention. None of the reports or the evaluation showed up on his record when he went to shop for guns (maybe because of his age?). He was still able to by a semi-automatic rifle, legally without any difficulty. At 18, he cannot buy liquor in New York, but he can buy a deadly weapon customized to fire extra bullets.

He researched zip codes in upstate New York to find the neighborhood with the highest percentage of black people. He saved for 2 years to earn money for the guns, body armor, and everything else he would need. He was shot by a security guard but it didn't penetrate the armor. He shot 13 people (killing 10) in the parking lot, and was prevented from entering the store by a quick acting employee.

When the cops arrived, he didn't resist arrest. He wants to live to enjoy the fame. I don't believe in the death penalty, but I think I could make an exception here. I can't imagine how much more pain and money this is going to cost us in the next few years, of trials, etc. He has written extensively about his plans and what he did, so that will make it an easy case for the prosecution, but it will still drag on.

I will never say his name.

Booknblues wrote: "I taught preschool and over the years, I had times in which one child would refuse to play with another child because they looked different or their skin was too dark. I always immediately informed the parent, even though I suspected that perhaps the attitude was formed at home...."

Fran, at that age, I would think it would have had to have come from the parents, wouldn't it? Don't most kids that age not even notice those kinds of differences? (Maybe I'm wrong... I don't really know any kids)

And Sally, that's awful! :-( I have no suggestions. As mentioned, I don't have any kids, nor do I deal with them in any way. But I hope you come up with some good ways to address this.

NancyJ wrote: "I wasn't going to talk about this here, but I think it's necessary to recognize the damage that hate filled teenagers can do if they are not somehow redirected...."

Wow... I heard about the shooting, but I hadn't looked too far into the details. Wow...

I agree with NancyJ about having the discussion. While I find this extremely disturbing, I wouldn't assume that just because this is done it is racially motivated right off the bat--in addition to it being applying what they are learning, it could also be that they plan to have the prisoners win, for example. Some could be building them with escape routes for the prisoners, etc. ie they could be imagining a better outcome to a fictional scenario, which is not a bad thing.

Reporting to parents can have mixed results, of course, and as you know can run the gamut. Plus at this age most kids don't want to hear stuff from their parents (even though they still need to).

I agree that teachers of middle schoolers are amazing and deserve extra commendations.

Sallys wrote: "I thought of having a speaker- maybe a child of a survivor but that is tricky because of Covid restrictions. Perhaps an oral history. I will definitely have a discussion with them about indifferenc..."

Sally, I wish you the best of luck, and the support of your school and parents. I agree that indifference and apathy are equally important to tackle, especially with kids. "All it takes for evil to exist is for good men (people) to do nothing." (or something like that.) I forget, because I have become guilty of it myself (feeling helpless). I have always been the kind of person who was willing to speak up when someone used hate language, but lately I've shut myself off too much. I think "someone must do something" instead of asking what I could do.

Oh, Sallys, my heart hurts for you as you seek ways to positively touch these very vulnerable students. I am a lifelong teacher - all the way from 7-12 and all university levels.
First, be open (as I suspect you are) and tell then you are horrified. This will not touch many but you never know. One time I was teaching an MBA class in Detroit (lots of motor city people there) and I was teaching about ethics. I presented several models of ethical belief, eg. 1) FORCE - Nazis, guards or big men in prison, 2) equal for all - eg, our K-12 education, political systems that are ideal - some students will like this, 3) input=output, many students will like this - I work 18 hours - I get the hourly amount times 18, Americans love this model and believe that is how industry works today, or 4) need- this is why we might give money for people who are suffering under Putin now.
This model starts students to think about how resources are distributed. The concentration camps are a show of force. If students want to use their power this way, just remember there is always the possibility of someone with more force than you - money, guns, candy, physical girlfriend or boyfriends. After digging around about different examples - why are students FORCED to attend school? Power. Obey laws? Power. etc.
After a long three hour night class dealing with this in a business MBA class, I was headed to my car. Several students thanked me for the discussion because they had never thought of power, who controls the resources, etc. One students said to me that I was fortunate because I had been taught by parents to be giving to those in need - to use that as a source of power, not a gun or my physical force, or my smiling charisma, etc. I was a little shocked and said so - of course, my parents taught me about some social values. He explained that there had been no rules in his family, except POWER, never to look at equality or giving to those in need. I never forgot it - My parents taught me to be giving, to forgive (or try to forgive) those who had used force, i.e., stealing, mean comments, ignoring me in school groups, etc.
This is a long long meaningful effort but if you can move a few students away from " force/ I have more than you" you are helping the entire world. There is no right answer. There is just awareness. Like putting money into the Salvation Army buckets at Christmas time. I have put you in my prayers, Sallys, you hold the future in your classroom.
I have been a teacher all my life - 79 years now and retired. I still teach - to the delivery man, to neighbors, in book clubs, etc. I can't stop. I am not always right, but I can bring up topics for discussion. I pray that you can get your students to realize they are using power, rather than sharing or equality or need, to make decisions. peace, janz

Please let us know how next week goes. Your friends care about you and your students.

PS--before you say you are horrified, I suggest that you ask them why they set them up. Sometimes open ended conversation can bring better results because you aren't putting them on the defensive right away.

This will not be easy to do financially - I just finished Maus by Art Spiegelman - graphic novel of his father's memories of the Holocaust. Maus = mice/Jews and the Nazis are cats. This book won a Pulitzer award many years ago. It is hard to obtain now because it is so old (50 or so years?) but has recently been reprinted because of so much interest. Some foolish people pulled it from a school library in Tennessee, so it got a lot of publicity and got reprinted. Since it is a graphic novel, students your age group will "like" reading it. Start a GoFund site on Goodreads to get money to obtain copies of the book for your students. I would contribute.
Good luck. peace, janz

Sally, my heart hurts for you, as it hurts for our society, and for the victims and community of Buffalo.

As an aside, although it is never an aside, Nancy's contribution was right on the mark, White Replacement Theory is rooted in anti-semitism, and Tucker Carlson is downright blaming the 'Jewish Elites' for promulgating the Replacement Idea. Democratic Elites in other articles, but it is a thinly disguised veil.

Anyway, yes, they need folks to talk to the kids about the meanings of using Minecraft to construct concentration camps. Like everyone else I am horrified and deeply concerned. But they also need to do Holocaust teaching. There is a wonderful organization (based near me) called Facing History and Ourselves, and they have curriculum for just this kind of thing. Courses for teachers and administrators. I would have your schools administrator call them for advice. They will know just what to do and how to teach it to middle schoolers. They might even fly/drive somebody down to help advise the situation. They teach on Holocaust education for all populations. That is my best advice. But for you, Sally dear. Just know you have support from all of us. We are in it with you. This is tough stuff, and even though you feel on your last nerve, you are making a very big difference. A life-changing one! Sending you love, Amy

Sally, I'm so sorry you are in this situation, and that your students are too. I'm an educator who spent a few years in gr 7-8. It is such a tough, and pivotal, age to teach - not everyone is suited to it (it wasn't the right spot for me). You clearly care very much for these kids and are looking for ways to help them.

I teach in Ontario, and I'm sure there are differences, but I was wondering if you have access to resources through your school board, or a child and youth worker, or other kind of supportive people who can help guide you through this?

I also thought the advice about 1) an open ended conversation and then 2) ways to engage the kids emotionally (movies, books) and intellectually (forms of power) will be important.

I hope so much you will have support form the principal and parents as well.

Finally ... please remember you also need to take care of yourself here. Make sure you do what you can to put on your own oxygen mask, so that you are able to find a way through this. Your commitment to helping these kids and to making the world a better place is so clear in your messages, but you also need to make sure that you are taking care of yourself.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your students as you navigate through this. These kids are so, so lucky to have someone like you, who isn't turning a blind eye but is looking to help them.

Thank you all so much. Your messages give me strength and hope for when I enter the classroom tomorrow morning. I will definitely start with an open ended discussion and I found a couple of child friendly resources on line. There is a famous poem called First They Came by Martin Nemollier, a pastor who lived during the Holocaust. The theme of the poem is that everyone can be a victim of persecution.
Current Events is a big part of my curriculum and I teach it on a daily basis so that the students will be aware and to prevent indifference . I think that is why i am so disappointed .In every subject we discuss racism and intolerance. We began our year with To Kill A Mockingbird. But I will go in tomorrow with a renewed sense of hopefulness and see what happens.

Sally .. adding my prayers and commendation for your actions ... all year, throughout your career, and especially in the coming days.

This is just so wrong on so many levels, and yet, I want to give these young people the benefit of the doubt. To hope that they were not really aware of how disturbing "creating concentration camps" was.

I have no advice but many of the posts above have what seems to me (a non-teacher and non-parent) to be excellent suggestions.

Please keep us posted on how things go this week. We are all thinking of you. Imagine us standing with you as you address your students - because in our hearts, we are.

Thank You.

Dear Sallys -- I thought of some things after sleep. Prayer does work. Ask them what a concentration camp means/does? It imprisons people for who they are - Jewish, black, Asian, whatever. It is not for someone who breaks a rule or law. It is for people who are, who exist- just as they are.
I once tried an experiment in a college class. It failed miserably. I announced that we were going to have castes/divisions based on physical situations. All people with blue eyes were the elite - they would get full class participation credit just for existing. I even persuaded all of them to move to the right side of the room, even moving some non-blue eyes out of their seats. The blue eyes were a minority. They could say what they wanted about the class, the subject for the day, even me. It broke down when some non-blues insisted on talking, asking me about future assignments, etc. The blue eyes did not use the power I gave them.
Concentration camps are a way to demonstrate power, among other things.
I hope your students did not realize the point of concentration camps. If they think of it as a regular prison, you have to clarify - the inmates did not break actual laws. They broke laws that the powerful made. No laws, except maybe made- up rules that are not in a normal game.
Good luck. peace, janz

I was also thinking about how for middle grade they teach Number Our Days by Lois Lowry, which takes place in a concentration camp, am I correct?

Heart is with you Sally. Please keep us posted, and do check out Facing History and Ourselves.

So I had a great discussion with my kids and I hope we all learned from it. The stories from the two boys who supposedly built the concentration camps keeps changing (he said it looked like a concentration camp). I showed them a film with survivors speaking about their experiences and we discussed apathy and indifference. So I feel good and am ready to move on. Thanks again for all of your suggestions and support. It helped a lot.

You are obviously a great teacher and you were able to use this negative action for a good outcome and teach the whole class something.

PBT is a great community. In 2020 when so many things were canceled, I think I shared more with this group than with a lot of my “real-life” friends.

Thank you for letting us know how it went, Sally. So thankful you found a way through to making this a true teaching moment - you never know when the seeds planted today will make a difference in the future. I hope you get a good sleep tonight!

I agree with Andie. Hooray for you. Students that I taught in high school over 50 years ago just had a huge reunion (covering the first 8 years of the life of the school). I could not physically attend but they hooked me up with a Zoom call from any of the students who wanted to share - it was a great time and made me feel good. They said things like I inspired them to think deeper and to enjoy learning. It was a blessing for me. One student wrote me - "you changed my life, I never thanked you then. Now I thank you." So, you never know - your thanks can come 50 years later. I feel so good about you and your concern for those students. I thank you for improving my society and world. peace, janz

Sallys wrote: "So I had a great discussion with my kids and I hope we all learned from it. The stories from the two boys who supposedly built the concentration camps keeps changing (he said it looked like a conce..."

Wonderful to hear that you and your students had a positive outcome and a great learning experience from this incident.