Performing the Assassination of Caesar

 

In eighth grade, we are reading William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar.  While most of the play is read aloud in class, students have a chance to push the desks aside and use their acting skills when we reach the scene where Caesar is assassinated. At that point, students divide into groups, and each group is given the task of memorizing their lines and blocking the scene.  In addition, some groups modify the scene to incorporate a theme.  This year, we had everything from the traditional toga-wearing Caesar (see photo above), to a pirate Caesar, as well as a 1920's gangster Caesar, a cowboy Caesar, and a Darth Vader Caesar (complete with lightsabers). 

Diary of Anne Frank and Food Rationing

Anne Frank's diary entry, dated March 14, 1944: "The people from whom we obtained food coupons have been caught, so we just have our five ration cards and no extra coupons, and no fats...so the atmosphere is dreary and dejected, and so is the food."

In order to give students a better understanding of the food rationing system, we spent a couple of days learning about the point values of certain foods. (See this article for details about the process). Next, students applied the points system by planning a week's worth of meals --calculating the number of blue and red points used each day. (Click on the picture below to enlarge.) Students realized that meal planning is a complicated process when you have to limit/ration the number of points you use.   As Anne Frank describes, "Our food is miserable.  Dry bread and coffee substitute for breakfast.  Dinner: spinach or lettuce for a fortnight on end" (April 27, 1943).

A Visit from Mrs. Gordon-Gellar

Recently, the seventh-graders were fortunate to have Mrs. Gordon-Gellar visit and share her family's experiences, especially those concerning the anti-Jewish restrictions during World War II.  One interesting fact is that Mrs. G's mother attended the same school as Anne Frank, though they were not in the same grade.  In a response to her visit, Jack L. wrote, Mrs.Gordon's "family traveled from place to place narrowly avoiding danger."

Students were also able to hold the yellow star that belonged to Mrs. G's mother.

Want to know more?  Ask your child to share what they remember from Mrs. G's visit.  It will make for a great discussion.