By Violeta Vallés Tabuenca
In the first year of secondary school (ESO) Social Sciences class, we can address the topic of respect for animals in a cross-curricular way, focusing particularly on the relationship between humans and animals throughout history. This would spark debate and, above all, encourage a critical analysis of this relationship, helping students to reject the idea that animal exploitation is normal or natural.
This activity could be done after finishing the topic of the first civilizations; we would have already seen all of prehistory (Paleolithic, Neolithic and the Metal Age), and the first civilizations (Mesopotamia and Egypt).
Objetivos:
- To convey empathy towards animals.
- Develop a critical analysis of the existing relationships between humans and animals.
- Analyze prehistory and ancient history from the perspective of animals.
- To get students to put themselves in the place of some animals.
- Give an oral presentation.
- Redactar un texto recogiendo las conclusiones a las que se ha llegado.
Contenidos:
- -Knowledge of the existing exploitative relationships between humans and animals.
- Critical attitude towards these relationships.
- Research into the life forms, habitats, etc. of some animals and how these evolve in parallel with the evolution of human beings.
Recursos materiales necesarios:
- Computer room of the center
- Textbooks
- Downtown Library
Desarrollo de la actividad y temporización:
Students will conduct research and a critical analysis of evolution (hominization), prehistory, and ancient history from an animal perspective. Specifically, they will analyze how the evolution of human history influences animals. This will be done in groups of six or seven students.
Given that these are 1st year ESO students, the analysis will not be very in-depth; the teacher will be able to help them at any time when they request it.
First, they can dedicate a 50-minute session to researching the relationships between humans and animals throughout history, using textbooks, library books, and the internet. They will then see that there are very significant changes, such as the development of livestock farming and agriculture in the Neolithic period.
Each group will focus on a specific period. One group will study the Paleolithic, another the Neolithic-Metal Age, and finally a third group will investigate the first civilizations (Mesopotamia and Egypt).
La siguiente sesión consistirá en una exposición de cada grupo de sus investigaciones.
Tendrán que explicar a sus compañeros cómo vivían los animales en el periodo que les ha tocado, y que relaciones se establecen entre animales y humanos.
The final session will consist of a moderated debate in which participants will present and defend their ideas. Finally, they will submit a short written summary of their conclusions.
Criterios de evaluación:
- On the one hand, each group's presentation will be evaluated. On the other hand, the written report they submit to the teacher at the end of the activity will also be evaluated.
- Regarding the assessment of critical thinking and empathy towards animals, the teacher will base her assessment on the comments made by the student, as well as the interest shown in the activity.