National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

THEME V:

INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, & INSTITUTIONS

Impact of Isolation on the Cuban Government and its People

Description: Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of interactions among individuals, groups, and institutions. Institutions such as schools, churches, families, government agencies, and the courts play an integral role in people's lives. It is important that students learn how institutions are fomed, what controls them, how they influence individuals and culture and how they are maintained or changed. Students may address questions such as: What is the role of institutions in this and other societies? How am I influenced by institutions? How do institutions change?

Reflection:

I did not get to address this theme, individuals, groups, and institutions, within my student-teaching experience. I did not address this theme since it seemed to center more around political science such as government. Therefore, this particular theme was not implemented. However, this theme is essential since it addresses government polices, schools, and judiciary systems that play a key role within the lives of everyday people.

I will use an example of a lesson plan I developed for my ten-themed lesson plans. This particular lesson was centered on Cuba. It was to show how the United States has played an essential role into the isolationism of Cuba and how it affects its citizens. Over the past two centuries the United States has increasingly dominated economic trade. The United States’ desire to meet global trade demands has presented foreigners with an opportunity to both earn money and to escape human rights violations. Since the United States has a long history with Cuba, it’s important for students to understand how economic sanctions affect Cuban government and its people. To conclude the lesson, I would lead a discussion about the main events that transpired over the course of Fidel Castro’s rule. How did students imagine it would feel to be involved in such an environment? Did they imagine differences between U.S. and Cuban students? How might their experiences be similar? What was most challenging about writing this assignment? Do you think it is difficult for most Americans to understand the situation involved with Cuba? Why or why not?

I feel as though these would have been important questions to address if this or any other lesson plans were implemented within the classroom that dealt with individuals, groups, and institutions. Therefore, in the future I hope to be able to effectively apply this theme within my lessons that help to understand who governments and institutions affect the individual.