Attentat

[franceslievens]

What were you doing when 12 people were brutally murdered at the headquarter of Charlie Hebdo? I was teaching school children about the virtue of tolerance.
Forty-five minutes later I was home and learned that education can seemingly only do so much. Such an atrocious and cowardly deed to what end? It doesn't matter really, does it? There is no argument for a massacre. There are only thoughts for the family and friends of those that were gunned down. May their legacy live on.
We aren't all as brave to take on the bullies in our society that try to silence the voices that offend them. Now is the time to change that. Now is the time we all became Charlie without fear.

Comments

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

I didn't "teach" this morning but spent hours discussing the events with my students. I'm exhausted.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

I bet you were. Talking about these things and trying to find coherent sentences for your emotions needs a lot of energy.

I did teach today, because I had the little ones who can't really place what had happened. I always only talk about these things when the kids ask for it themselves. So I did put my lesson plan aside for my 5th and 6th graders and explained what satire means and why you are allowed to use it.

LB's head teacher had gone around in the classes explaining what had happened. I didn't like that approach, because the kids certainly didn't ask for it. LB only had a story about people being murdered. She can get that info of the children's news... I understand why the head teacher did it. I just don't agree with the approach.

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

I agree with you. LB is still very young.

My youngest students are 12. I asked them if they knew why today was a National Mourning Day and mostly let them talk, and they actually talked much more than my other students who are 16-17.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

She didn't know what had happened, doesn't understand what 12 people dead really means. She's six, yes, but France is a faraway country, even though we've been to Paris. I didn't handle my criticism well with her. Fortunately P. had to agree when she said "The Muslims in my class don't kill people." There is a message that didn't get through.