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Even the Walls

Secondary

Description

Through the eyes of the people being impacted, this film chronicles the redevelopment of an inner city neighbourhood, the displacement of its low income residents and the ultimate loss of a community that has nurtured and supported its members for decades.  While this particular story is set in Seattle, WA, the process of gentrification that it examines is playing out in urban areas in Canada and across the globe.

The lesson is designed to have the students weigh the promise of economic progress (updated buildings, improved green spaces, reduced crime) against the benefits of living in a supportive multigenerational and multicultural community.

A lesson plan is available to accompany the film.  It provides 'before, during and after' viewing suggestions and activities to promote the discussion of the social justice and quality of life considerations when creating sustainable communities.

General Assessment

Strengths

  • The video allows students to examine an important social issue in a very engaging way.
  • The lesson plan provides an effective tool for connecting students to the issues raised in the program.

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This resource will support those units in high school social studies and human/urban geography that deal with social justice, quality of life and sustainable cities.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Local and Canadian Geography 20: The Change in Settlement Patterns in the Local Area
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explorations in Social Studies 11: Social justice initiatives can transform individuals and systems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
        • Urban Studies 12: Urban planning decisions and other government policies can dramatically affect the overall quality of life in cities
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Geography: A Human Perspective - Industrialization and Urbanization
  • New Brunswick
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    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Issues 120: Humanity
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
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    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian Geography 1202: Human Population Issues in Canadian Geography
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Geography: Urbanization
      • Sociology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Sociology 12: Social Organization: Living Together as Humans
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice (Workplace Pre.) Equity, Social Justice, and Change
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Geography: Urban Patterns & Populations (Univ. / College Prep.) Changing Ecumenes
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Equity and Social Justice: From Theory to Practice (Univ./College Prep.) Addressing Equity and Social Justice Issues
  • Quebec
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Contemporary World: Population
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Issues - Wealth & Poverty
        • Social Studies 20
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explorations in Social Studies 11: Social justice initiatives can transform individuals and systems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
        • Urban Studies 12: Urban planning decisions and other government policies can dramatically affect the overall quality of life in cities

Themes Addressed

Human Health & Environment (1)

  • Quality of Life

Human Rights (1)

  • Social Justice