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Gandhi Speech Writing


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Keywords: speeches, Gandhi, non-violent protest, non-cooperation, passive resistance
Subject(s): Civics, Drama, English/Language Arts, Social Studies, Information Skills, Technology, Social Skills, Video, History
Grades 9 through 12
School: Warwick Vets Mem High School, Warwick, RI
Planned By: Sean McNamara
Original Author: Sean McNamara, Warwick
In preparation for this lesson students shall either be given by the teacher or create a time line of important events in Gandhi's life. This will activate prior knowledge and provide the teacher with data as to the classes' background knowledge.

Students shall watch the movie "Gandhi" in its entirety.

During the movie students shall pay particular attention regarding Gandhi's life from South Africa to India focusing specifically on the topic of non-violent protest (satyagraha). The events that students should focus on from the movie include but are not limited to:

A. protest and buring of the Indian registration cards
B. campaign of nonviolent resistance to protest discrimination against the fingerprinting of Indians in South Africa
B. Established an ashram in South Africa, where he published a journal focusing on the discrimination of Indians
C. Traveling by train throughout India to get re-aquainted with India.
D. Gandhi helped to organize nationwide protests against the Rowlatt Acts, aimed at suppressing Indian nationalism and activism
E. Amiritsar Massacre
F. massive boycott of British goods (especially cloth) protest Western materialism and the British economic exploitation of India
G. The "day of prayer and fasting"
H. “The Great Trial” where Gandhi pleaded guilty to the crime of sedition, but argued that he had broken the law only to protest the gross inequities perpetrated against Indian society.
I. The Salt March
J. Gandhi's fast against Hindu's violent protests
K. Speaking out against British and WWII
L. Gandhi's fast in protest of HIndu and Muslim violence over Indian independence
M. Gandhi's assassination

Review the above topics with the students to ensure that they understand how all of the events play an important part in Gandhi's policies of non-violent cooperation and passive resistance.

If necessary, allow students to further research Gandhi's policies of non-violent cooperation and passive resistance to further enhance the knowledge obtained from the movie.

Assessement:
Student shall assume they have been charged with the responsibility of making a speech on Gandhi's behalf while he is jailed. Since Gandhi was jailed so many times for so many reasons the specific topic of the speech can vary and be based on actual events that occurred in India and surrounding Gandhi's life. However, the speech must dicusss Gandhi's policy of non-violent cooperation and passive resistance. The speech shall be a minimum (2) pages typed, double-spaced. The actual speech should last a minimum of 2 minutes.

Before writing the speech, students shall reference the website "Six Minutes" (http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/2008/02/27/speech-preparation-1-how-to-prepare-presentation/)to aid them in writing their speeches. Students will present a draft of their speech and peer edit their respective speeches with a classmate during class.

Prior to videotaping their speech, students shall again reference the website "Six Minutes" (http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/2007/10/31/25-skills-every-public-speaker-should-have/)for 25 pointers to delivering a speech. After reviewing these 25 points, students shall review the transcript of President-Elect Obama's speech on election night (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/obama.transcript/). Addtionally they should watch the video of the same speech (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/obama.transcript/#cnnSTCVideo)and review it for the inclusion of some or all of the 25 points to essential presentation skills.

Students shall present a hard copy of their speech and a dvd of the delivery of the speech. The students shall present their dvds to the class. The class shall offer constructive criticism of the student's speech.
Comments
This lesson plan meets the Warwick Public Schools Academic Expectations that require students to reach logical and reasoned conclusions by utilizing scientific, mathematic and technological skills by utilizing technology to locate, organize and communicate information. Also students shall communicate effectively via Speaking articulately and coherently for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Cross-Curriculum Ideas
This lesson can be used in conjunction with a video production class by allowing the video production students the produce the speech. Additonally, this lesson can be used for a public speaking class with any great orater subsituted for Gandhi.
Follow-Up
Ulitmately, the follow-up to this lesson shall be the students actually giving a speech in front of a live classroom audience.
Links: Link to Obama Speech Video (CNN)
Link to Obama Speech transcript (CNN)
Speech Preparation
25 Essential Presentation Skills
Materials: Video Tools, Social Studies, Tripods, CDs and DVDs, DVD Camcorder