thoughts about session 8

I told my sixth graders that I had seen “Spirited Away” and a couple of them suggested that I see “Howls Moving Castle.” Although they didn’t know it, this animated film is also by Miyazaki. The quality of the animation is even better than “Spirited Away.” Interestingly, the characters and setting are European, rather than Asian. It is about a young girl (again) who is bewitched and winds up in a strange vehicle (symbolic of the Industrial Age?), which is the “Moving Castle.” This extraordinary contraption travels through time. There is a war going on in one of the time periods, and Miyazaki seems to be making a point about staying out of war. As the hero, Howl, is trying to divert the warships.
The video was over two hours long and moved very slowly (at least for me). As Dr. Pitelka suggested, the movie’s themes are very mature for the audience it appears to have been made for.

Another great session! I am amazed of how the events of 1950 still impact today-- the whole issue of North Korea invading South Korea to unify the country and the US getting involved. The actions of the past still hunt us today.
I was surprised to learn that a 22 year white lady gave women representation in the Japanese constitution and that a total of 24 people were involved in the writing of the document. Facts like this make history interesting and a good way to hook students.
Article 9 from the constitution seems out of this world! Before today's session I didn't know of a country in which in their constitution the people can not wage war onto another country. I wish our country would have something similar. Imagine all the wars we would not be involved in! I don't know that much about politics and war, but it feels like the US is the "big stick" that must defend, attack, or take over. I also understand that if weren't for our manifest destiny and imperialist ways we would not be a powerful country-- I benefit from the suffering of those in the past.