This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
PERIOD 7 - A CLASS DIVIDED
You have been watching the documentary, "A Class Divided." Please post a reflective comment about the film and make sure to comment on at least one other student's post. Finally, what did you personally take away from the film?
19 comments:
Celina Morais
said...
I really enjoyed watching this film. I thought it was really interesting how all these little kids, who are typically very friendly and what not, became very aggressive with one another just because of different eye colors. I thought Mrs. Elliot's experiment I believed was very effective. I also thought it was kind of neat that the kids came back years later and watch themselves act and their reactions and their feelings now.
It was my second time watching this film and I still found it very interesting. It is almost unbelievable how quickly the children changed from being friendly and nice to calling each other names and looking down upon each other. It really goes to show just what discrimination can do. It also showed how being told you are better or worse than somebody can affect you performance in things like acadmics. The fact that the children who were "on top" performed better on the tests and the children who weren't really goes to show the impact discrimination can have on a person. I agree with Celina that Mrs. Elliott's idea was a success and I think it should be implemented in schools everywhere. I had never thought about the way in which discrimination could affect somebody's performance so it was interesting to hear about the test results and learn just how much telling somebody that they're not good at something can actually make them believe it too.
I really enjoyed watching this experiment. I have an incredible amount of respect for Mrs Elliot; she is a brave teacher to follow through with the experiment. During one segment of the film, two students took the experiment too far and betrayed one another. When the topic was brought up in class Mrs. Elliot questioned both boys about their behavior, it was all traced back to the color of each others eyes. Just watching the little brown eyed boy sit with his arms folded, looking like he's ready to burst into tears was heartbreaking. This made a huge impact on my perspective of racism, and how it can be explained to people of all ages. I agree with Celina. I thought it was good for the students to come back together, and talk about how this experiment changed their lives.
This was actually my third time watching the film and yet everytime I see it, it shocks me. By simply stating that students with one eye color are superior, Mrs. Ellis completely morphed the test results and even attitudes of her students. I find it very interesting that a feeling of inferiority can actually affect you so negatively intellectually. Also, I felt that this experiment really allowed the students to experience what it felt like to be discriminated against which is important in such a time of social injustice. I agree with Christine that this experiment revolutionized the way that this topic was taught to younger kids.
I think that this showed how easily people can take advantage of power when they are placed in a position where they are above someone. This is just like the nazis because the soldiers were told that they were higher beings than the jewish people and they took advantage of the power. the african americans expiernced this same thing. People who belived they were better than them took advantage of them and stripped them of their rights
The fact the a third grader was so quick to change when they were told that they were superior/inferior was very surprising, but was also a brilliant representation of what african americans had been facing for over a century. If you look at what happened in the classroom and consider it on the scale of which it had been happening in the real world, its no surprise that african americans were so determined to gain equality. I agree with Mike about the significance of discrimination and how that affected the students behavior, and even their academic performance. Discrimination is a very powerful concept, and it can have extremely negative and long term effects.
The comments that came out of the third graders mouths regarding how they felt about black people was shocking to me. After listening to only a few kids speak about it, the deep hatred and discrimination towards blacks was not as surprising to me anymore because if a third grader said those things they must have been taught at a young age about everything they know about blacks. If their parents force their own thoughts onto a young and impressionable child, the child is going to think just like their parents without forming an opinion for themselves. I agree with Sara about how surprising the correlation between being discriminated against and low test scores and how much of an impact that made on the children.
What I found shocking about this film was the fact that it was an experiment for 3rd graders. At that young age, watching them talk and learn about discrimination was incredible. These young children were getting a taste of what it was like to be discriminated against, and then they could turn around and learn from it. I agree with Christine that it was brave of Mrs. Elliot to go through with this experiment. Not only did she affect her third grade students, but she continues to bring a message to a large group of others through this film.
Quite contrary to most comments made by my fellow classmates, I did not find the childrens reaction to be shocking, as Sam said it was surprising to see friendly third graders turn on each other so quickly. What I did not expect was how the class retained the wisdom they gained from the experiment. I genuinely thought that the lesson would have no impact on the students once they went home and moved on from third grade, grew up and had a family of their own to share with and adapt to the views of others around them. Personaly, I am very happy to see the class reunited and telling their old teacher who taught them so much, that they are like a family.
I enjoued thia film very much t was very insightful and showed me how quickly humans can turn on one another. Also, i found it amazing to see what power does both mentally and physiclly to people. I agree with Tara that it is amaizing to see the way these kids turned on eachother.
While watching this film I was astounded that Mrs. Elliot Simply was able to change the attitudes and morals of kids and adults by simply stating that they were inferior. This really gave me an insight into discrimination and how it can affect how intelligent people think they are and how they view themselves. When she told one eye color they were inferior, they all stopped sticking up for each other, and left them everyone to fend for themselves, hoping that they would not be singled out, which is really how discrimination is made possible throughout the world. I agree with Mike that it is amazing how the kids test scores dropped when they were told they were inferior, and how they rose when they were told the opposite.
I thought the exercise Mrs. Elliot used was incredible. It was interesting how these peaceful kids acted in such a disrespectful manner when told that they were better. I think that while these children could never understand what African Americans and other minorities went through, it still gave them a grasp and understanding on what discrimination and prejudice is and how it can hurt others. I agree with Celina that Mrs. Elliot's experiment was successful and that it should be used in schools today. This film impacted my view on racism and discrimination, and how they came to be.
I was very shocked that this exercise was able to work so well on the children in Mrs. Elliot’s class. However, I was more surprised that it was just as effective when used on the group of adults. I expected the adults to know exactly what Mrs. Elliot was trying to do, and they would just not listen to what she was saying and act normally. However, she was able to make the exercise work, and I think this proves that she is a very good teacher. I also agree with Mike that this exercise showed students what it was like to be discriminated against, which is a very important lesson to be taught in elementary school.
I loved to watch this film. I remember watching it sophmore year and it was as compelling and interesting as the last time i saw it. Mrs. Elliot's experiment was both creative and effective and I think that experiment should be conducted in all 3rd classes through out the country. I also thought it was amazing how the children who were considered "better" received higher grades and excelled, while the other children who were told they weren't as good as the other kids did poor. I agree with sarah in that its amazing that telling someone their not good at something can impact their learning
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film. Mrs. Elliot is a phenomenal teacher who had the courage to go outside the box and perform this incredible experiment. She was very creative in making this experiment, suggesting that one eye color is superior than the other. However, this experiment truly displayed discrimination as the children learned how it felt to be on the superior and inferior side. Nonetheless, her experiment showed that it greatly affected her students when they met later in life. All the former students expressed how much they learned from her and how they want to teach others that discrimination is wrong. I agree with Celina in that I thought it was very interesting how the students transitioned from friends to enemies during this experiment.
I thought that this flm was very interesting. How the lady took control of the blue eyed people and demoralized him. they pretty much dem humanized them, putting them at a lower class. Also that a kids friend all his life and thenat the playground he punshed him.It was interesting avtivity that i believe our school and other schools will benifit from.
The Class Divided story was inspirational. What happened here was a social experiment. There were Brown eyed people and Blue eyed people. One day one grouped was treated well and the other was discriminated against. The next day they switched. The result was that the people who were considered superior did well that day. After the whole experiment happened the group scored higher on tests etc. then before their lesson on discrimination.
The Class Divided story was inspirational. What happened here was a social experiment. There were Brown eyed people and Blue eyed people. One day one grouped was treated well and the other was discriminated against. The next day they switched. The result was that the people who were considered superior did well that day. After the whole experiment happened the group scored higher on tests etc. then before their lesson on discrimination.
The Class Divided story was inspirational. What happened here was a social experiment. There were Brown eyed people and Blue eyed people. One day one grouped was treated well and the other was discriminated against. The next day they switched. The result was that the people who were considered superior did well that day. After the whole experiment happened the group scored higher on tests etc. then before their lesson on discrimination.
19 comments:
I really enjoyed watching this film. I thought it was really interesting how all these little kids, who are typically very friendly and what not, became very aggressive with one another just because of different eye colors. I thought Mrs. Elliot's experiment I believed was very effective. I also thought it was kind of neat that the kids came back years later and watch themselves act and their reactions and their feelings now.
It was my second time watching this film and I still found it very interesting. It is almost unbelievable how quickly the children changed from being friendly and nice to calling each other names and looking down upon each other. It really goes to show just what discrimination can do. It also showed how being told you are better or worse than somebody can affect you performance in things like acadmics. The fact that the children who were "on top" performed better on the tests and the children who weren't really goes to show the impact discrimination can have on a person. I agree with Celina that Mrs. Elliott's idea was a success and I think it should be implemented in schools everywhere. I had never thought about the way in which discrimination could affect somebody's performance so it was interesting to hear about the test results and learn just how much telling somebody that they're not good at something can actually make them believe it too.
I really enjoyed watching this experiment. I have an incredible amount of respect for Mrs Elliot; she is a brave teacher to follow through with the experiment. During one segment of the film, two students took the experiment too far and betrayed one another. When the topic was brought up in class Mrs. Elliot questioned both boys about their behavior, it was all traced back to the color of each others eyes. Just watching the little brown eyed boy sit with his arms folded, looking like he's ready to burst into tears was heartbreaking. This made a huge impact on my perspective of racism, and how it can be explained to people of all ages. I agree with Celina. I thought it was good for the students to come back together, and talk about how this experiment changed their lives.
This was actually my third time watching the film and yet everytime I see it, it shocks me. By simply stating that students with one eye color are superior, Mrs. Ellis completely morphed the test results and even attitudes of her students. I find it very interesting that a feeling of inferiority can actually affect you so negatively intellectually. Also, I felt that this experiment really allowed the students to experience what it felt like to be discriminated against which is important in such a time of social injustice. I agree with Christine that this experiment revolutionized the way that this topic was taught to younger kids.
I think that this showed how easily people can take advantage of power when they are placed in a position where they are above someone. This is just like the nazis because the soldiers were told that they were higher beings than the jewish people and they took advantage of the power. the african americans expiernced this same thing. People who belived they were better than them took advantage of them and stripped them of their rights
The fact the a third grader was so quick to change when they were told that they were superior/inferior was very surprising, but was also a brilliant representation of what african americans had been facing for over a century. If you look at what happened in the classroom and consider it on the scale of which it had been happening in the real world, its no surprise that african americans were so determined to gain equality. I agree with Mike about the significance of discrimination and how that affected the students behavior, and even their academic performance. Discrimination is a very powerful concept, and it can have extremely negative and long term effects.
The comments that came out of the third graders mouths regarding how they felt about black people was shocking to me. After listening to only a few kids speak about it, the deep hatred and discrimination towards blacks was not as surprising to me anymore because if a third grader said those things they must have been taught at a young age about everything they know about blacks. If their parents force their own thoughts onto a young and impressionable child, the child is going to think just like their parents without forming an opinion for themselves. I agree with Sara about how surprising the correlation between being discriminated against and low test scores and how much of an impact that made on the children.
What I found shocking about this film was the fact that it was an experiment for 3rd graders. At that young age, watching them talk and learn about discrimination was incredible. These young children were getting a taste of what it was like to be discriminated against, and then they could turn around and learn from it. I agree with Christine that it was brave of Mrs. Elliot to go through with this experiment. Not only did she affect her third grade students, but she continues to bring a message to a large group of others through this film.
Quite contrary to most comments made by my fellow classmates, I did not find the childrens reaction to be shocking, as Sam said it was surprising to see friendly third graders turn on each other so quickly. What I did not expect was how the class retained the wisdom they gained from the experiment. I genuinely thought that the lesson would have no impact on the students once they went home and moved on from third grade, grew up and had a family of their own to share with and adapt to the views of others around them. Personaly, I am very happy to see the class reunited and telling their old teacher who taught them so much, that they are like a family.
I enjoued thia film very much t was very insightful and showed me how quickly humans can turn on one another. Also, i found it amazing to see what power does both mentally and physiclly to people. I agree with Tara that it is amaizing to see the way these kids turned on eachother.
While watching this film I was astounded that Mrs. Elliot Simply was able to change the attitudes and morals of kids and adults by simply stating that they were inferior. This really gave me an insight into discrimination and how it can affect how intelligent people think they are and how they view themselves. When she told one eye color they were inferior, they all stopped sticking up for each other, and left them everyone to fend for themselves, hoping that they would not be singled out, which is really how discrimination is made possible throughout the world. I agree with Mike that it is amazing how the kids test scores dropped when they were told they were inferior, and how they rose when they were told the opposite.
I thought the exercise Mrs. Elliot used was incredible. It was interesting how these peaceful kids acted in such a disrespectful manner when told that they were better. I think that while these children could never understand what African Americans and other minorities went through, it still gave them a grasp and understanding on what discrimination and prejudice is and how it can hurt others. I agree with Celina that Mrs. Elliot's experiment was successful and that it should be used in schools today. This film impacted my view on racism and discrimination, and how they came to be.
I was very shocked that this exercise was able to work so well on the children in Mrs. Elliot’s class. However, I was more surprised that it was just as effective when used on the group of adults. I expected the adults to know exactly what Mrs. Elliot was trying to do, and they would just not listen to what she was saying and act normally. However, she was able to make the exercise work, and I think this proves that she is a very good teacher. I also agree with Mike that this exercise showed students what it was like to be discriminated against, which is a very important lesson to be taught in elementary school.
I loved to watch this film. I remember watching it sophmore year and it was as compelling and interesting as the last time i saw it. Mrs. Elliot's experiment was both creative and effective and I think that experiment should be conducted in all 3rd classes through out the country. I also thought it was amazing how the children who were considered "better" received higher grades and excelled, while the other children who were told they weren't as good as the other kids did poor. I agree with sarah in that its amazing that telling someone their not good at something can impact their learning
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film. Mrs. Elliot is a phenomenal teacher who had the courage to go outside the box and perform this incredible experiment. She was very creative in making this experiment, suggesting that one eye color is superior than the other. However, this experiment truly displayed discrimination as the children learned how it felt to be on the superior and inferior side. Nonetheless, her experiment showed that it greatly affected her students when they met later in life. All the former students expressed how much they learned from her and how they want to teach others that discrimination is wrong. I agree with Celina in that I thought it was very interesting how the students transitioned from friends to enemies during this experiment.
I thought that this flm was very interesting. How the lady took control of the blue eyed people and demoralized him. they pretty much dem humanized them, putting them at a lower class. Also that a kids friend all his life and thenat the playground he punshed him.It was interesting avtivity that i believe our school and other schools will benifit from.
The Class Divided story was inspirational. What happened here was a social experiment. There were Brown eyed people and Blue eyed people. One day one grouped was treated well and the other was discriminated against. The next day they switched. The result was that the people who were considered superior did well that day. After the whole experiment happened the group scored higher on tests etc. then before their lesson on discrimination.
The Class Divided story was inspirational. What happened here was a social experiment. There were Brown eyed people and Blue eyed people. One day one grouped was treated well and the other was discriminated against. The next day they switched. The result was that the people who were considered superior did well that day. After the whole experiment happened the group scored higher on tests etc. then before their lesson on discrimination.
The Class Divided story was inspirational. What happened here was a social experiment. There were Brown eyed people and Blue eyed people. One day one grouped was treated well and the other was discriminated against. The next day they switched. The result was that the people who were considered superior did well that day. After the whole experiment happened the group scored higher on tests etc. then before their lesson on discrimination.
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