For 30 years, local elementary school teacher John Hunter has taught students about world peace through what may be an unexpected method: a game. Now, a film by University alumnus Chris Farina titled, "World Peace....and other 4th Grade Achievements," showcases Hunter's efforts to teach students about this complex issue.
"I was drawn to the relationship between the teacher and kids," Farina said. "That was the original source, to depict the beauty of that relationship."
Students playing the World Peace Game take the roles of various countries. Using a game board that depicts their countries's military, economic, social and educational needs, participants must solve a problem without resorting to violence. To make the game more realistic, groups such as the United Nations, arms dealers and the world bank are present, as well. Moreover, the stock market and other unpredictable situations add an element of randomness to in-game scenarios.
The World Peace Game started from a simple idea, but it since has become more complex.
"We were studying Africa, so I put down a giant map of [the continent] on a 4-by-4 piece of plywood, and each student was a different country with a different place marker, and then it just took off from there," Hunter said.
Farina said he hopes his film will not only depict the relationship between Hunter and his fourth-grade students but also will influence other teachers and schools to use this game with their students. Hunter's work, after all, shows how capable children are if given the right tools and guidance from teachers, he added.
"[Hunter is] teaching these lessons to attempt to look at peace as the ultimate goal and then gives [students] tools that work," Farina said. "People will be motivated by watching John work."
Education Prof. Carol Tomlison - who was the film's primary educational advisor - agreed, adding that the game would be a great experience for University students, not just elementary-school children.
"It's really, for me, a reminder of what high-quality learning should be like," she said. "It should be electric - what they [the students] look forward to in the morning; what they think about when they go to bed at night."
Overall, Hunter's work shows cynics that world peace may, in fact, be a feasible goal, Farina said.
"[Hunter is] a teacher who has dedicated his life to teaching kids for achieving peace," he said, "and they leave the exercise much more aware [about] the world around them"
Read More
From the Archives: Celebration and Reflection (4/28 - 5/4)
By Clara Franklin and Annabelle Nee | 12 hours agoFrom The Purple Shadows breaking into the Dean of Students’s office to multiple student athletes accused of honor code violations, the graduating class’s four years were a wild ride.
PBS NewsHour correspondent speaks on bringing humanity to international conflict
By Grace Little | YesterdaySchifrin's work exploring Putin’s Russia, his coverage of COVID-19 and his reporting in Afghanistan and Ukraine have earned him various accolades.
Spring meal swipe drive aims to tackle food insecurity at the University
By Nicolas Biernacki | YesterdayU.Va. Dine facilitated the drive by converting each meal swipe donated by a student into one pound of food that is then donated to the CFP.
