Lesson Plan | Socioemotional Learning | Chinese Communist Revolution

Objectives

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to contextualize students about the Chinese Communist Revolution, highlighting the motivations, external influences, and social problems. This will serve as a basis for the development of socio-emotional skills, encouraging self-knowledge and social understanding by recognizing and interpreting the emotions and historical circumstances involved.

Main Goals

1. Identify the causes and motivations of the Chinese Communist Revolution.

2. Understand the influence of the USSR in the context of the Chinese Communist Revolution.

3. Analyze the social problems faced by China at the time of the revolution.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

Emotional Warm-up Activity

 Creative Visualization Journey 

The chosen emotional warm-up activity is Creative Visualization. This technique involves guiding students through a series of positive and relaxing mental images, helping them to focus, be present, and concentrate. Creative visualization is a practice that uses the mind to create vivid and detailed images, promoting a state of calmness and mental clarity. This activity is effective for emotionally and cognitively preparing students for the class.

1. Prepare the Environment: Ask students to sit comfortably, with their feet on the floor and their hands resting in their laps. Dim the lights if possible, and ensure the environment is quiet.

2. Start with Deep Breathing: Instruct students to close their eyes and breathe deeply. Inhale through the nose counting to four, hold the breath for four seconds, and exhale through the mouth counting to six. Repeat this three times.

3. Guide the Visualization: Begin to guide students through a mental journey. Say something like: 'Imagine you are in a beautiful and peaceful place, like a deserted beach at sunset. Feel the gentle breeze on your face, the sound of the waves softly crashing on the sand, and the warmth of the sun on your body.'

4. Detail the Experience: Continue to detail the visualization, encouraging students to use all of their senses. 'See the color of the sky slowly changing, hear the birds in the distance, feel the fine sand between your toes.'

5. Conclude the Activity: After a few minutes, start to bring students back to the present. 'Slowly, bring your attention back to the classroom, feel the weight of your body in the chair, and gently open your eyes when you are ready.'

6. Final Reflection: Ask students how they feel after the activity and if they noticed any changes in their emotional state or level of concentration.

Content Contextualization

The Chinese Communist Revolution was a historical event that profoundly transformed Chinese society. Just as students face challenges and changes in their lives, China also went through a period of great turbulence and transformation. By exploring the motivations of the revolution, we can better understand how external and internal circumstances influence our emotions and decisions. The influence of the USSR and the social problems faced by China reflect how external factors can shape the direction of a nation, much like external experiences shape our emotional and social development.

Development

Duration: (60 - 75 minutes)

Theoretical Framework

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Causes of the Chinese Communist Revolution: Explain that the causes of the Chinese Communist Revolution include dissatisfaction with the Qing dynasty, the Japanese invasion, and social and economic inequalities. Provide examples of how extreme poverty and the exploitation of peasants contributed to support for the Communist Party.

2. The Influence of the USSR: Detail how the Soviet Union influenced the Chinese Communist Revolution by providing material and ideological support to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Explain the importance of the Sino-Soviet alliance in strengthening the CCP.

3. Social Problems in China: Analyze the social problems that China faced at the time, such as corruption in the nationalist government, famine, and lack of agrarian reforms. Use analogies to compare the situation of Chinese peasants with other agrarian societies that underwent revolutions.

4. Key Events of the Revolution: List and explain the key events of the Chinese Communist Revolution, including the Long March, the Chinese Civil War, and the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

5. Leadership and Ideologies: Describe the key figures and ideologies of the revolution, such as Mao Zedong and his philosophy of Marxism-Leninism adapted to Chinese conditions. Make comparisons with other revolutionary leaders to facilitate understanding.

Socioemotional Feedback Activity

Duration: (30 - 35 minutes)

 Analysis of Chinese Revolution Propaganda Posters

Students will analyze propaganda posters used during the Chinese Communist Revolution to identify the messages, emotions, and persuasion techniques present. They will discuss in groups how these posters reflect the motivations and social problems of the time.

1. Group Division: Divide the class into small groups of 4 to 5 students.

2. Material Distribution: Distribute copies of different propaganda posters from the Chinese Communist Revolution to each group.

3. Poster Analysis: Ask the groups to analyze the posters, identifying the main messages, the evoked emotions, and the persuasion techniques used.

4. Group Discussion: Each group should discuss how these posters reflect the motivations of the revolution, the influence of the USSR, and the social problems faced by China at the time.

5. Presentation: Each group should present their conclusions to the class, highlighting the most important points from their analysis.

Group Discussion

To apply the RULER method, start by asking students to recognize the emotions expressed in the posters and in their peers during the activity. Encourage them to understand how these emotions relate to the causes and consequences of the Chinese Communist Revolution. Ask students to name the emotions they identified, both in the posters and in their own reactions while discussing the material.

During the group presentations, encourage students to express their emotions and thoughts clearly and respectfully. Offer positive feedback to those who manage to do this effectively. Finally, discuss strategies to regulate emotions, especially when faced with difficult historical themes, promoting empathy and mutual understanding.

Conclusion

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

Emotional Reflection and Regulation

To conduct reflection and emotional regulation, propose a writing activity or a group discussion. Ask students to write or verbally share their responses to the following questions: 'What were the biggest challenges you faced during today's class?' and 'How did you manage your emotions when dealing with these challenges?'. Encourage them to be honest and detailed in their responses. If opting for a group discussion, be sure to create a safe and respectful space for everyone to feel comfortable sharing.

Objective: The objective of this activity is to encourage students to reflect on the emotional and cognitive challenges faced during the class, as well as to promote self-assessment and emotional regulation. This reflection will help students to identify effective strategies for dealing with challenging situations, applying socio-emotional learning in the context of the Chinese Communist Revolution.

Closure and A Look Into The Future

To conclude the class, ask students to set personal and academic goals related to the class content. Each student should write down at least one personal goal and one academic goal they wish to achieve in the coming weeks. The goals can be shared in a discussion circle, where each student has the opportunity to express their intentions and hear those of their peers.

Possible Goal Ideas:

1. Understand more deeply the causes and consequences of the Chinese Communist Revolution.

2. Develop critical analysis skills when studying historical events.

3. Strengthen the ability to recognize and regulate emotions in study and discussion situations.

4. Apply socio-emotional learning to improve academic performance in other subjects.

5. Promote empathy and understanding of the historical and social experiences of other peoples. Objective: The objective of this closing activity is to strengthen students' autonomy and the practical application of learning. By setting personal and academic goals, students are encouraged to continue their academic and personal development, applying the knowledge gained about the Chinese Communist Revolution and socio-emotional skills in their daily lives.