Google Earth Reflection

Smailovic is my hero.

This Bosnian cellist, during the war in Sarajevo, witnessed a bomb that killed 22 people in his town. What could he do? He was just one man. The very next day he sat in front of the ruins, in concert attire, and played his cello. He played at 4:00 pm every day for 22 days straight to commemorate those who were murdered. He went on to other sites and played for other victims. His actions teach a lesson that I felt needed to be shared with the 8th grade students in our History Research Writing Class.

This is my Google Earth Virtual Field Trip Project:

http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BxyZV9uiWV0xOTUwZmJhMDgtYmEwMS00N2Q0LTlmN2ItZDMzNTgxNzE4MTA5&hl=en&authkey=CKXB5bwE

The goals of my project included-

1) Student knowledge of the war in Sarajevo, Bosnia (actions during 1992-1993 in particular)
-The reasons for the conflict, what occurred, and the consequences.
*Visit 3 to Sarajevo, Bosnia: Students watch a video and take a quiz. They compare the Google Earth landscape/environment now vs. 10 years ago.

2) The impact that one man (Bosnian Cellist Vedran Smailovic) had which gave hope to not just his country, but all around the world.

- The impact Smailovic had on world famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the composer David Wilde and what those two musicians created with Smailovic's song.
*Visit 5 to Paris, France: Students read about Yo-Yo Ma and read a quote from Wilde explaining how his life was touched.

-The impact he had on teacher and blogger Vicki Davis and the story she was able to share with thousands on her Blog.
*Visit 2 to Georgia, USA: Students read her blog entry with the story of Smailovic.

-The impact he had on author Elizabeth Wellburn resulting in the children's book she wrote to commemorate the event.
*Visit 6 to British Columbia, Canada: Students watch and listen as the story is read aloud to them (with pictures in a video with "The Cellist of Sarajevo" song playing in the background)

-The impact he had on the citizens of Sweden as a commercial was made using his image and storyline.
*Visit 4 to Stockholm, Sweden: Students watch the You Tube video of the commercial which shows Bosnian children and Smailovic playing his cello.

-The impact he has made on us. That one person (you) can make a difference. How to be respectful, act ethically, comfort and encourage others. To have hope.
*Visits 1 and 7 to Hart-Ransom Charter School in Modesto, CA: Students follow the directions and write an essay describing how these 6 people around the world are all connected and the lessons that can be learned.

I wanted the students to see a model of someone who has clearly developed his 5 minds: disciplined, synthesizing, creative, respectful and ethical. They will be taught why Smailovic's actions have helped themselves and others around the world to "do right". As Garner states "It is very important to have exposure..to individuals who themselves embody good work." (P. 148).
I agree.

Reference:
Gardner, Howard. (2008). Five Minds for the Future. Boston, MA; Harvard Business Press.