Lesson plans for ages 12-14 in Language & Literature

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LESSON 5

Procedure

A quick review over the homework reading:

• What were the new living conditions like?
• What type of work was allocated to the deportees? Do you think the authorities had given much thought to who should do what work? What could have motivated those in charge to decide, for example, that the women should do the dynamiting?
• Thinking back to the formerly wealthy lifestyle of the Rudomin family in Vilna, do you think the baracholka (the village market) would have been of any interest to the grandmother and Esther? Give your reasons.

Preparation for role play:

The students take out their answers to question 3(c) from lesson 1. The students are then divided into "families" and discuss among themselves what each student has decided to pack for his or her exile and why such a choice was made. Let them feel free to argue, as each group represents a family. Ask them if it is necessary for a family to stick together in such a situation. Then, as a family unit, the students are required to decide among themselves what objects they feel they could part with and sell at the class baracholka during the next lesson.

Homework: Students are to bring to class examples of the items for 'sale' (eg. CD walkman, games, toys) and a couple of hard boiled eggs per student.