TED Talk Lesson: A Parkland Teacher’s Homework for Us All

If you are looking for a way to open the door to thoughtful conversation about the gun violence epidemic in this country, this powerful TED Talk by Diane-Wolk Rogers is an appropriate entry point. Diane Wolk-Rogers teaches history at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, site of a horrific school shooting on Valentine's Day 2018. How can we end this senseless violence? In a stirring talk, Wolk-Rogers offers three ways Americans can move forward to create more safety and responsibility around guns -- and invites people to come up with their own answers, too. Above all, she asks us to take a cue from the student activists at her school, survivors whose work for change has moved millions to action. "They shouldn't have to do this on their own," Wolk-Rogers says. "They're asking you to get involved." - TED

This Ted Talk, worksheet, and follow-up discussion can be completed in one class period (45-50 minutes).

This lesson can be used in most high school Social Studies classes including: Current Events, Social Problems, Social Psychology, Civics, American Government, etc. It would also be suitable for a Public Speaking or English class.

TED lessons can be used as mini-lessons or to supplement a prepared unit. I often assign TED lessons as make-up work or extra credit.