Lesson Plan Descriptions

Following are brief descriptions of the activities included in the Educator Guide related to the films TAKING ROOT: The Vision of Wangari Maathai; WAITING FOR THE REVOLUTION; SHAYFEEN.COM: We’re Watching You and SHADYA.

To view the complete lesson plans, download the Educator Guide (PDF).

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TAKING ROOT ACTIVITY 1:
From Roots to Branches: The Interconnectedness of Environment, Culture and Social Justice
Examine how Kenya’s history as a colonized nation has contributed to challenges with deforestation.

TAKING ROOT ACTIVITY 2:
The Green Belt Movement: Evaluating Citizen Action and Environmental Change Strategies
Study the strategies used by the Green Belt Movement to reduce deforestation in Kenya, compared and contrasted with other “change makers” and organizations.

WAITING FOR THE REVOLUTION ACTIVITY 1:
The Right to Work
Examine the plight of indigenous women laborers in Bolivia, and their role in electing a new president and women’s leadership in that country.

WAITING FOR THE REVOLUTION ACTIVITY 2:
People Power From Within the System
Investigate the dilemma of whether community organizers should work within the political system or outside of it to bring about social change.

SHAYFEEN .COM: We’re Watching You ACTIVITY 1:
Illusions of Democracy: When is it Not Free or Fair?
Examine the principles that might make an election democratic as well as ways in which elections can be inefficient, manipulated or abused.

SHAYFEEN .COM: We’re Watching You ACTIVITY 2:
Digital Media as a Civic Engagement Tool
Examine the power of digital media in civic organizing and analyze how digital media tools work in less developed nations or areas where media access is limited.

SHADYA ACTIVITY 1:
The Israeli Arab Experience
Investigate Arab citizens of Israel as a group, and how the film SHADYA draws attention to a population seldom covered by the media.

SHADYA ACTIVITY 2:
Muslim Feminism
Examine stereotypes of Muslim women, perspectives on Muslim feminism and the ways in which Muslim girls and women have made strides in asserting their rights.