Let Us Remember...Our Founder And Association!

by
Mr. Abegg
2007-08

INTRODUCTION

Who was St. John Baptist De La Salle? How did this priest begin his ministry with the brothers? Who were these men--the first teachers and Brothers of the Christian schools? What was life like in 17th Century France? What countries do the Christian Brothers serve in today? Hopefully, by the end of this lesson you will have found answers to these questions and gained a greater understanding of "De La Salle" and your part in the Lasallian tradition. But first...

IMAGINE

Imagine yourself living in France during the 1600's (17th century). How would life be different for you depending upon your social class? Imagine yourself, a wealthy, high classed individual from an established family line. You live life at the upper echelon of society--probably one of the top 10 families in a town of 25,000. You grew up surrounded by wealth and power. Education for you was always available--you attended the finest academic schools around earning your doctorate.

....On the flip side, all of a sudden you realize that there are thousands of poor people whom, if things continue as usual, will never have the opportunities that you experienced. The majority of people you encounter will never have the basic necessities of life that many of us take for granted--food, shelter, job security or an education.

OUR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

.....First, using NoteCard, record your thoughts (paragraph minimum) for each of the following questions and web sites. Analyze and reflect on how each element might have influenced De La Salle to establish his gratuitous schools. REMEMBER: Use good scholarship...Be sure to compose your reflections using inquiry that reflects the upper cognitive domains of Bloom's Taxonomy. (While you explore the following topics--Keep in mind the monumental challenges De La Salle and the first teachers/brothers encountered in their efforts to establish free schools for the poor) Read all links before you begin reflecting! (Time Requirement: 2-3 days)

Your NoteCard reflections should include the following topics:

  1. What was life like for the majority in France during the 17th century?
  2. What would people say about you "working with the lower classes?"
  3. Compare and contrast the way the wealthy, middle class and poor would experience everyday life (clothing, food, access to medical care, education, etc.).
  4. Could your work with the poor alienate you from friends and family? Do you think this happened to De La Salle?
  5. Could you remain wealthy and still be respected by your poor fellow teachers? How did De La Salle resolve the issue of his wealth? CLUE: What did De La Salle do in the Winter of 1684? Explain.
  6. How did nearly a century of warfare affect the poor? Where do the poor go when their livelihood is interrupted in rural areas? Where do they stay?
  7. What is a Hotel-Dieu or General Hospital?
  8. How did De La Salle see himself with the Brothers? Superior? Equal? Inferior? Explain.

NOTE: READ & RE-VISIT the following sites before you begin your NoteCard reflections:

CREATIVE ASSIGNMENTS & ACTIVITIES!!

CHOOSE FOUR OF THE FOLLOWING:

  1. Go to the Seven Regions" web site -- Draw or copy a world map. To find a map do a search using "Blank World Maps"-- Then, use a drawing/painting program to color or paint the eleven regions of the world in which the Christian Brothers administer schools today. Don't forget to label each region! (Time Requirement: 3-4 days)
  2. During the Winter of 1684 De La Salle spent his entire fortune feeding the hungry and homeless. Based upon what you have learned, assess the importance of bread for the lower class. How would you defend the statement that bread was the main food "staple" of so many 17th century lower class?...Assignment: E-mail your grandmother/grandfather, favorite aunt/uncle, parent/guardian, or ask an older sibling for their favorite bread recipe...Then, make a loaf of bread. Bring a loaf to class and share it with your classmates. Share your recipe with your teacher by e-mail or written on paper! (Time requirement: 1-2 days)
  3. Create a short PowerPoint presentation (6-10 slides) describing the typical clothing of the 17th century lower class...What similarities can you find between the clothing the lower class wore and the clothing worn by the early Brothers? If you were in charge, as was De La Salle, what judgment would you make about the brother's simple fashion--Color, materials used, shoe style? (Time Requirement: 2-3 days)
  4. Research the kind of music played in the 17th century. Create a 17th century music CD using IBM RecordNow, or Bring in a copy (CD) of 17th century classical music. Would the type of music be different between the upper and lower classes? Share your creation--let's listen and enjoy! (Time Requirement: 1-2 days)
  5. Go to the "Motherhouse" Web-site in Rome and download one of the Icons of De La Salle. Make a four panel Greeting card using Microsoft Publisher and send it to someone in your family--You might tell them how much you are learning about CBC and the Founder of the Christian Brothers! (Time Requirement: 1-2 days)
  6. Use a graphic organizing program such as "Inspiration" or a drawing feature on your computer to graph and diagram the seven regions of the Lasallian global community. Go to the Seven Regions" web-site to access names of the regions and countries our schools are located! (Time Requirement: 3-4 days).

    7. The Legacy Continues--Our Lasallian Resources!!

    The Global Ministry

    Lasallian traditions in the Classroom!

    Midwest District's Lasallian Heritage Program

    CBC Buttimer & LLI Projects

    "Motherhouse" Web-Site in Rome

    Seven Regions

    The North American Ministry

    St. John Baptist De La Salle--Our Founder's Story

    Live Jesus In Our Hearts...Forever!