Ben Ross’ diary entry
Last night I found out very interesting and useful information about the “Third Reich” and Hitler’s regiment. Enough information in order to give adequate answers to my students who were so interested in the movie I showed them. Besides I got the idea to make an experiment with my history class in order to involve them in and confront them with a nearly equal situation of being part of an extreme group/community or party like the “NSDAP”. Maybe then they will understand the behaviour of the Germans better.
I decided to introduce my experiment with a general behaviour pattern: Discipline.
So I began my next history lesson with writing “STENGTH THROUGH DISCIPLINE” across the blackboard. As the students noticed it, they started groaning. I expected that they won’t be enthuse about it but their opinion about these strict words changed quickly…
I added an explanation and gave examples which occur in their everyday life:
-Discipline has to do with power and success
I told them that David’s football team needs discipline in order to win and that Andrea has to do hard physical work because she is a Ballet dancer.
I wanted to impart to them that they can create power through discipline.
After my examples I suggested to prove it in the classroom. I expected a wisecrack, but my students were becoming curious and interested. So I started the experiment.
I put my chair in front of the room and requested Amy to sit on it. “Discipline begins with posture,“ I told them.
I made Amy sitting straight by instructing her to place her hands flat across the small of her back and force her spine straight up. So she could breathe more easily.
A lot of the students imitated Amy and sat straight in their chairs.
Then I looked around to check the pupils’ posture and saw Robert. Robert Billings, the class loser, sat in his chair very straight with parallel legs. I called the others’ attention to Robert. On the one hand I chose him because he did his job very good and on the other hand because his classmates could accept him - and it worked. The other students tried to copy him.
The key to success is organization I think.
So the next step for the pupils was to walk around the classroom and they had to sit down on a chair next to them in this position I had taught them, when I shouted out “Take your seats!“
At first, it was chaos. The students ran into each other and needed a long time to take their seats. Nearly twenty minutes I let them trying it again and again until David had a good idea. He suggested forming a line to get to the chairs faster and more organized.
I stopped the time with my stopwatch and was surprised that they needed only sixteen seconds now. The class was very happy and cheered. I calmed them down and the sudden silence was strange for me. The only time the room was that still, was when it was empty.
After this little game I added three more rules they must obey:
1. Preparation (they must take paper and pencils with them)
2. Style of answering (when asking or answering a question they have to stand at the side of their seats)
3. Correct address (they have to start the answer or question with the two words “Mr Ross”)
I asked the students questions, but at first they didn’t answer in that correct form I told them.
Either they forgot to say “Mr Ross” or to stand up at the side of their seats.
Besides they had to answer in short sentences, punctual, precise and with punch. So our “conversations” became louder.
It was amazing to see how involved the students were, who normally are bored.
When the bell was ringing, the students didn’t go out into the hall. They expected finishing the lesson by me. I gave them the homework and they left the classroom.
This experiment is not only a new experience for my history class.
I felt the power of unity and the feeling of togetherness, too.