The discussion of evil is resonating with adults and children around the world in these last months.
Something of horrific proportions is occurring on a global scale almost weekly.
Whether it is man-made violence or a natural disaster, it is painful to turn on the TV and radio, read the news on paper or on your phone, or listen to office chatter. The world is shifting. We need a breath.
This short, timely, and valuable YouTube video of Lady Gaga sitting with the Dali Lama, encapsulates the state of human consciousness today. It discusses what we can do and what we need to do to create a shift in the way we are thinking and living. It is a wonderful tool to show students in out-of-school time or in-school hours to create classroom discussions and awareness.
Lady G. says, ‘mobilize the kids.’ I believe this too. Our kids know, feel, and are powerful.
Below are eight questions to open the discussion and help your students make a shift following the viewing of this video.
(For the full 20-minute interview click here.)
Following this video ask your students:
- What did you see? How did it make you feel?
- What does evil mean to you?
- What does kindness mean to you?
- What is a humanitarian?
- How do you become a humanitarian?
- What is one thing you can do today to become a kinder person?
- Is there a certain group of people you want to focus on helping or a cause you want to bring awareness to?
- Can you write a poem, create a PSA, or create on-going conversations in your program or school to make a difference?
You can change the questions, add to them, create a classroom project, or program-wide project to mobilize your students and help them become more mindful of their own actions. Each day they do one thing, each day they make a change.
PLEASE leave comments below and share what you are doing in your programs so we can create more dialogue within our own community, this is the time.
For breakfast, I had a pressed beet juice and a cup of tea.
Author: @juliagabor