This collection of propaganda was created by students at Greendale Middle School in my eighth grade social studies class. 
To prepare for the assignment they read about WWII. With this background, they analyzed some propaganda posters from World War II. These posters changed behavior around rationing, planting victory gardens, supporting community, buying bonds and embracing diversity.
Each student was asked to create a poster that would change behavior to help end the Corona Virus Crisis.

I've seen many, many posts about having students document their life now to create primary sources about history in the making. As a parent I find my current life to be so utterly boring I can't imagine writing about it. I did, however, enjoy walking to our local coffee shop today and collecting primary sources along the way.

Let me tell you about ordering coffee in the age of Coronavirus.
First, why would I go to a coffee shop you may ask. Our governor announced today that there will be a "safer at  home" order issued for a week. This basically is shelter in place and only go out for groceries and essential work. I opened my last half pound of coffee today. Good coffee is essential to my well being. Therefore, our expedition.

I also have been extremely conflicted about not buying from local restaurants. I know they need it but I did a really good job of stocking my fridge. I don't want food to spoil. Also, knowing that my husband's work might be halted for a week shifts me into frugality mode. Buying 2 pounds of coffee, etc. made me feel like I was contributing to a small business.

Anyways - the shop. 
All cafe tables are shoved to the side. The only tables out have coffee and tea for sale. Lots of room for customers to spread themselves out. At 12:45 on a Monday, there were 6-7 people at all times and just before I left they were at capacity - 10 people. This meant no one could come in until I left.

It was weird. People were polite but there was an odd tension in the air. Uneasiness. A few customers asked the cashier if they were an "essential business" and if they would have to close for the next week. She was uncertain.

Then we walked home in the sunshine. So many people out walking their dogs! So many happy dogs. (Our dog is unsocial, as are we, so we crossed the street to avoid all other dogs but how could they not be happy to have their owners home and walking them in the middle of the day!)

Stay safe. Be well. 

I was asked today what advice I would give to my fellow teachers, who are working so hard through these challenging times. 
I said give yourselves space and grace. This is your first attempt in learning to teach without a classroom. You aren't going to get it right on the first try but that's okay. Give yourself grace.

​My district has had the remarkable foresight to consider the whole child as they move through school closures and making sense of home-bound learning. I suggest taking a cue from this approach and remember your "whole person." It can feel rewarding to have a distraction from the mundane of not leaving the house but if you need to not be effective or proficient for a time please know that we, your fellow educators, are holding space for you.

Holding space is about listening with your whole self. Being present and validating others. 
It's something I'm working hard to do as I hear from heartbroken educators who are worried about hungry children from South Dakota to Arizona and New York to Washington. I've heard from grieving educators whose communities are dealing with deaths from corona virus. I've also heard from friends in Florida who see moms and kids playing in the park, hugging and laughing as if in some parallel universe where social distancing isn't necessary. 

I'm holding space for myself as a whole person and considering the three whole children who I'm trying to simultaneously distract, entertain, guide, encourage, and comfort while I also gently remind them to keep working and be self-directed and curious. 

For me, holding space means more than listening. It's not until we are probably halfway through the school year that I tell my students that I love them in a way that means I care about them and their wellbeing. I'm being honest. Even though everything about education today demands that relationships come first, I find relationship building one on one to be a struggle. However, those relationships grow organically and now I'm holding space in my heart for all 113 students. I worry about them and I care about their feeling of worth and belonging each day.

Our first digital learning assignments were due today. Only about 20% didn't complete the work. I hold space for them in my heart and worry what might be keeping them from continuing to learn.

I hope grace is all they need, an attitude of amnesty towards work not completed. I'll hold space for them until I'm sure.

(art print by Dalia Shevin)

My favorite time period to bring to life has always been the Great Depression through World War II because people took action and they did what had to be done.

Now facing down COVID-19 and the resulting three week closure of my school, as well as Governor Tony Evers statement about the indefinite closing of schools, I understand what those times of action felt like. It reminds me of being caught in a giant wave while swimming in the Pacific Ocean. If you can ride it out your fine. But if you hesitate and try to stop to catch your breath, to understand all that is happening, you will lose your footing, lose your breath and feel like you might drown.

I didn't know on Friday, March 13, that there was a chance I might not see my students again but I chose to stop the curriculum and calm their fears using history. It's what I know how to do. We compared the Flu Epidemic of 1919 to the Novel Corona virus pandemic. I told them that history does not repeat itself as people so often say. No, events unfold in a similar way but people always have choices to make and we can always make the choice to respond differently if we learn from the past. 

I'm using this same approach as the focus of our digital learning. Simply by chance I asked students on Wednesday what was one topic or activity they didn't want to miss in our final eight weeks together. Many chose World War II. I let that idea stew and I found inspiration in the most unexpected place - the Home Depot paint counter.

I was choosing paint samples and the kind man working the paint counter seemed to disappear. He looked to be in his late 70s and when he returned he had his lunch box and was wearing a hat and jacket proclaiming his veteran status. He'd been working since 8 am. It was now 4 pm and three people in a row had not shown up for work. He'd done his job. He'd carried on. 

Mathematically speaking, he was certainly not a WWII veteran, but his attitude got me thinking about the Greatest Generation and all they went through. We've lost so many, but if they could give my students advice on surviving and thriving in these surreal and challenging times, what would they say?

Do what you can to support each other.
Keep your head up and keep going.
Make sacrifices for the greater good.

My students will learn about propaganda this week and WWII next week. Then they'll apply their understanding to create a WWII propaganda poster that will change behavior to promote social distancing, staying home, hand washing, helping out neighbors, trying your best to learn outside the classroom and more.

As my principal reminded the staff when we started trying to put order to this new reality, we KNOW our kids. These kids, my eighth graders, are like that generation long ago. They believe in helping community. Long before corona virus, they knew they weren't inheriting an easy job as global citizens.
​
They want to end racism and heal the planet.
They want to end homelessness and stand up for the rights of those who cannot speak. 

I'm so excited to see how they channel that desire to be change agents into their self-directed digital learning.
(Photo by Oliver Sjöström from Pexels)

I created this poster 3 years ago when I was feeling overwhelmed by politics. Since that time it's been my touchstone to remind myself of the tenacity of women throughout history who defied gigantic odds and refused to give up.

Women still continue to defy the odds and fight for change around the world, as evidenced by massive protests in Latin America on the International Day of the Woman.

I hope to have time to make a second version of this poster over summer break after my students uncover women from history who were change agents.

When we look back at history we learn that women rarely had the power but they powered the movements that changed the world for the better.

The PDF of the poster can be downloaded here