12. LEARNING ABOUT MY COUNTERFACTUAL COMMUNIST CHILDHOOD

12. LEARNING ABOUT MY COUNTERFACTUAL

COMMUNIST CHILDHOOD

History Teachers: Mihaela Cebotari School: International School Spectrum Iași Country: Romania

age of children: 12-15 years old size of group: 25-30 students duration of activity: 1 hour and 30-35 minutes

CONTENT OF ACTIVITY:

The teacher together with museum guide present students some details related to life in communism in Romania and other East European countries, based on the objects of the museum exhibition (house and school objects from communist period). Teacher emphasizes aspects related to historical context and relevant information (25 minutes).

The teacher splits the student in groups of 5-6 members and asks them to imagine what a day in their childhood would have been like if they had lived in communist Romania. Students have 25 minutes to prepare a short role play of 5 minutes duration to illustrate this day of their communist childhood. They can focus on what is happening at school, at play with their friends or at home, or they can combine these places. It is very important to enter the atmosphere of the exhibition and use the information presented. The teacher and the museum guide can guide the students during the exercise, answering their questions or ambiguities.

Each group will play their role play in front of others (25-30 minutes).

In final discussions, teacher asks students how they felt and which is the most important thing they have learned from this exercise. The teacher can bring in the final comments small clarifications or information that he/ she considers important to be emphasized on this subject (15 minutes).

Children’s feedbacks: The students were very happy with this activity and they think they understood this period better.

MUZEUL COPILĂRIEI ÎN COMUNISM IAȘI

The Museum of Childhood under Communism, Iaşi, Romania https://www.muzeulliteraturiiiasi.ro/muzeul-copilariei-incomunism/