Greenel and Graynel Classroom Activity

Prior Knowledge Needed:

• Understanding of job allocation/creation

• Understanding of government types.

• Understanding of use of natural resources

Directions:

• Show up to MINUTE 2:14 of “Greenel, Graynel Whiteboard Animation” to your class

• Split the class into two halves (or in many groups of halves) - give each a written description of their island

• In groups, have students create maps of their island (beyond what the animation shows) and record answers to:

• What needs do you have?

• What top 10 jobs will you prioritize?

• What is the best government type for your people and who, out of your group, will be the leader(s)?

• Once maps are complete, invite a representative of Greenel to visit Graynel and take notes. This representative should go back to their group and tell what they saw.  A Graynel representative should go with them and have a chance to respond. Do the same with a visit to Greenel by Graynel. This can be done in class, by video or newspaper column

• Graynel and Greenel members line up and face each other, point to each other, and proceed to talk about "those people" behind their backs.  Students should draw graffiti with insults against the other group, or reasons why their island is superior”, to be displayed.

• Now, show the rest of the “Greenel, Graynel Whiteboard Animation”

• To help them understand the pros of building the bridge, explain what resources can be shared:

1. From Greenel: crops, peaceful days, herbal medicine/clean air, understanding of astrology, other?

2. From Graynal: industry/growth, comfort, trade and security, excitement for continuing progress, other?

• Give time to the groups to talk amongst themselves, far away from the other group so that no “other” hears. After a certain amount of time, those with the most power in Greenel and Graynel decide on whether or not to build the bridge. They record their decision and bring it to the teacher. Then, they announce their decisions.

• Both islands must agree on building the bridge for it to happen.

• Discuss: “What might the future hold based on the decisions made?”

Island Descriptions

The very first people who came to the island of Greenel found a peaceful place with tall green trees and dark, fertile soil. Their leaders said, “Since we are here in the middle of the ocean, and our island is only so big and no bigger, we will all have to work very hard to tend it and keep it as lovely as it is today. If we are careful and wise we will be able to grow our own food and learn to make the other things we need to be happy and comfortable.”  And down through the years, that is the way it was on Greenel. Life was simple and it moved at the pace of the Sun and the Moon and the changing seasons.

The first people who ever came to Graynel found an island very similar to Greenel—quiet and green and lovely. But their leaders said: “Since our new land is here in the middle of the ocean and is only so big and no bigger, we will have to work very hard if we are to keep up with the rest of the world. We will have to build ships and factories and use all of our land very wisely or we will never be able to make and buy all the things we want.”  There were changes on Graynel, big changes. Even though the island was small, it kept up with the world, and life on Graynel moved at the pace of the shipping timetables, the factory clocks, and the traffic lights.

Adapted From:
http://teachingin2017.blogspot.com/2014/02/week-4-free-post-two-islands-process.html and https://www.montclair.edu/iapc/review-two-islands/