Beyond the Fire: Teen Experiences of War
http://archive.itvs.org/beyondthefire/
The film Beyond the Fire introduces the real-life stories of 15 teenagers, now living in the U.S., who have survived war in seven war zones. These stories tell of loss, hope, fear, strength and despair—and most of all, resilience. At this companion site, start by exploring the multimedia feature Begin Your Journey, an interactive experience that helps students think deeply about the lives of teenagers who have been affected by war. For each teen, you are provided pictures and information about the history of their home country. Then, you can watch three video clips about their experience with war and their life since that experience. By logging in to the site, students have the opportunity to get a virtual passport, which allows them to make comments about what they have viewed, once they visit all fifteen stories. Students also get a virtual Travelog after signing up, where they can write about their reactions and reflections on what they are learning.
The section for educators gives a great overview of how to use the site, with more specific instructions and details than there is room for in this description. There are also two great lesson plans provided in this section, one which focuses on comparing life experiences with teenage refugees, and the other which addresses the issue of child soldiers. Both lessons give extensive lists of suggested resources, connections to national standards, teaching strategy details, and evaluation procedures.
