Conversations Across Time

Peter Gonzales

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Conversations Across Time

Explore hypothetical conversations

This lesson invites students to explore the intriguing question of who they would choose to have a conversation with, dead or alive, and what they would discuss. This exercise encourages critical thinking, creativity, and empathy as students consider the perspectives and contributions of historical and contemporary figures. By engaging in inquiry-based and collaborative learning, students will enhance their communication skills and deepen their understanding of influential individuals.

Audience

12th Grade Students

Time

2 days

Approach

Inquiry-Based Learning, Active Learning, Collaborative Learning

Materials

Discussion Questions, Worksheet: Conversation Planning, Exit Ticket: Reflection Questions, and Pens and Paper

Step 1

Introduction

15 mins

Begin with a brief introduction to the lesson's theme: "Conversations Across Time."
Explain the objective: to explore who students would choose to converse with and why.
Discuss the importance of understanding different perspectives and historical contexts.

Step 2

Reading Assignment

30 mins

Distribute a short reading on a selection of influential figures from history and today.
Ask students to read and take notes on who they find most intriguing and why.

Step 3

Class Discussion

30 mins

Facilitate a discussion using the provided questions.
Encourage students to share their thoughts on the figures they read about and who they would choose to converse with.
Guide the discussion to explore the reasons behind their choices and potential conversation topics.

Step 4

Activity: Conversation Planning

60 mins

Hand out the "Conversation Planning" worksheet.
Instruct students to outline a hypothetical conversation with their chosen figure, including questions they would ask and expected responses.
Encourage creativity and depth in their planning.
Allow students to research additional background information on their chosen figure to enrich their conversation.

Step 5

Collaborative Sharing

30 mins

Have students pair up and share their conversation plans with a partner.
Encourage feedback and discussion on each other's plans.
Allow time for students to refine their plans based on peer feedback.

Step 6

Exit Ticket

15 mins

Distribute the exit ticket with reflection questions.
Ask students to reflect on what they learned from the activity and how their perspectives might have changed.
Collect the exit tickets for assessment.

Step 7

Closure

15 mins

Summarize the key insights from the lesson.
Highlight the importance of empathy and understanding diverse perspectives.
Encourage students to continue exploring historical and contemporary figures on their own.

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Discussion

Discussion Questions

Facilitate a class discussion on the reading and students' choices of conversation partners.

Who would you choose to have a conversation with and why?

Encourage students to think about the impact of the person's work or life on society.

What questions would you ask them?

Guide students to consider questions that reveal deeper insights into the person's thoughts and experiences.

How might this conversation change your perspective?

Discuss how learning from different perspectives can broaden understanding and empathy.

Worksheet

Conversation Planning

This worksheet helps students plan their hypothetical conversation with a chosen figure.

Who have you chosen to converse with and why?

List three questions you would ask them.

Describe how you imagine they would respond to each question.

What insights do you hope to gain from this conversation?

What challenges might you face in this conversation and how would you address them?

How does this figure's historical context influence their perspective?

What would be the most important takeaway from this conversation for you?

Research and describe the historical events or social conditions during this figure's lifetime that may have influenced their actions or beliefs.

How did this figure's contributions impact their society or the world at large?

Quiz

Exit Ticket: Reflection Questions