How a teacher explained privilege to his class

[gollygee]

Illustrated, and longer at link.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/nathanwpyle/this-teacher-taught-his-class-a-powerful-lesson-about-privil

I once saw a high school teacher lead a simple, powerful exercise to teach his class about privilege and social mobility. He started by giving each student a scrap piece of paper and asked them to crumple it up.

Then he moved the recycling bin to the front of the room.

He said, “The game is simple — you all represent the country’s population. And everyone in the country has a chance to become wealthy and move into the upper class.”


“To move into the upper class, all you must do is throw your wadded-up paper into the bin while sitting in your seat."

[Live and Learn]

1. Innovative lesson and excellent teacher. nt

[antiquie]

2. Simple, powerful lesson.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

3. Well, that's about right

Football players, basketball players, and baseball players have the best chance of making millions...and we know how rare that actually is!

[Bandit]

6. It's the ones that sit up front

The Privileged ones....

[ChisolmTrailDem]

7. No. Sorry. nt

[NJCher]

4. Here's a variable. How to account for it?

I'd like to try this exercise, but I teach college classes. A few of my classes are very small and the students sit all over the place--some in front, some in back, and many off to the sides.

I think this should be factored into the lesson because where a person chooses to sit (even in a full class) says a little something about how he or she approaches their education. I'll bet most experienced teachers would agree with me. It goes without saying that those who sit in front are more aggressive about their bite at the apple.

In one class, two of my best students choose to sit in back, so one can't say it has anything to do with the quality of the student. It seems to have more to do with involvement and engagement, but this is just a guess.

In a full class, there is less of a choice where to sit, plus students in front block the view of the recycling bin.

Any thoughts on how this might affect the lesson?




Cher

[greiner3]

5. I don't think the teacher;

Purposely had the prior seating arrangement in mind but I think you are correct in stating those who sat nearest the bin have the best 'shot' at rising in the ranks of social economic society.

But I think there are other factors to consider being that there are other handicaps that need to be taken into account.

It's possible some of the students may not be feeling as good as possible; hangovers, physical determents, lack of sleep, etc...

Also, have you ever tried to throw a wadded up piece of paper?

It has less chance of being aerodynamic than a noob's paper airplane and therefore MAYBE 1 or 2 of the class might 'win the Kewpie doll'.