A real life civics lesson at Boca Middle
Students in Ms. Oyer's sixth and seventh grade social studies classes have had the opportunity to learn first hand about civics and economics concepts thanks to the television program Jericho. Jericho is a show about a small town in Kansas and what happens in the town following a nuclear bombing of the United States. The show chronicles how the residents survive and the choices they make in governing and allocation of resources.
Ms. Oyer, a teacher at Boca Raton Middle School, recommends that students watch the show as part of their homework assignment. She said the show helps make abstract concepts easier for the students to understand. The students get absorbed in the show's characters and at the same time learn about societal, economic and governmental choices through concrete examples.
The only problem is that CBS has decided to cancel the show for the second time. The show was cancelled in 2007, but due to viewer response was reinstated. An on-line protest involving delivering 20 tons of peanuts to CBS Entertainment in New York and California succeeded in bringing back Jericho. Peanuts were used because in the very last show the main character's battle cry was "nuts".
Just as the students learned about civics from the show, its cancellation also presents an opportunity to become involved. Knowing that the fans are rising up in revolt again, the students want to do their part and have written letters to CBS asking for Jericho to be continued. When the on-line fans decided to raise money to buy huge ads in Variety and Hollywood Reporter, the students brought in spare change and raised $52.11. A note with the donation posted on the protest website by Ms. Oyer received great feedback and motivated others to donate. Once again peanuts are being sent, this time to entertainment writers at newspapers so that they can generate media coverage about the cancellation.
The loyal viewers are hopeful that CBS will sell the show to another station who will continue to produce it. As Ms. Oyer optimistically states, " This show is not dead, just in transit." Whatever happens, these social studies students have had a real life opportunity to learn about civic involvement.
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Comments
I was so pleased to see this article. Yes, Jericho is a lesson plan for all of us; that's what we fans have been trying to get out there. There is so much story to tell -- It must go on.
If you would like to help, check out this website: www.JerichoNet2.com - to see what you can do. We heard just last night from Ms. Carol Barbee, Executive Director of Jericho, that they are continuing negotiations to find Jericho a new home. Please help by sending letters. All the info you need - plus some cool art - is all at this this website.
Thank you to all the students for their donations. In case they don't know, there is also a website for kids www.jericho4kids.com where there are some really great interviews that 12 year old Shelby did with the stars and producers and crew of the show. Very cool. Check it out!
Thank you, Rangers, for your help!
Posted by: N2N2 | April 29, 2008 6:50 PM
Ms. Oyer,
What a wonderful teacher you are! This year, my son had the worst AP Econ teacher at his über-academic magnet high school in Atlanta. In fact, every teacher in that school could learn a lesson from you. Teachers like you make a real difference!
Posted by: realityagent | April 29, 2008 7:12 PM
What a great study program! I wish I has Ms.Oyer as a teacher.
I've put a link and summary in our Jericho blog/news archive.
Gwen
http://www.jericho-kansas.com
Posted by: Gwen | April 29, 2008 10:08 PM
Now this is an awesome read!!!
I love the show Jericho and when I read articles like this about how many places Jericho has reached it just warms my heart to see quality programming put to good use in a classroom setting. My son would have loved to have a teacher like Ms. Oyer.
Posted by: nobodysbaby | April 30, 2008 12:03 AM
I am glad to see that we still have some awesome teachers in the schools today. I had a few in my day that taught me some very meaninful lessons that I still remember today. The fact that they made them fun is what made them stick. Thank You Ms. Oyer for being a fine example. And Thank you to your students for becoming loyal Rangers in the cause to save "Jericho" yet again. We can do it because Rangers can do anything!!!
Posted by: Rangerette | April 30, 2008 12:14 AM
I knew Jericho made me feel smart! Great story about one creative teacher. Thanks to her and all her students for helping Save Jericho!
Posted by: erika | April 30, 2008 1:30 AM
It's teachers like you who make learning fun!
Posted by: mpbnice | April 30, 2008 12:22 PM
My son's teacher (in Saint Johns, FL) also wanted her students to watch the show. So when the show was debuting in Sept 2006, I sat down with him to watch the show. We both were hooked. And have been fighting for it ever since.
Go Rangers.
Posted by: Bearable1958 | April 30, 2008 1:02 PM
"In transit" indeed! So glad to see another article about 'Jericho' up on the net.
Thanks for everyone's help in our plight to get Jericho a new home!
Posted by: Tara | April 30, 2008 6:00 PM
What a creative way to teach! Kudos to Ms. Oyer for incorporating the opportunity for the students to write letters and raise funds for a worthy cause, as well as to learn directly from the show.
Posted by: Sam | May 5, 2008 2:10 PM
What a great story!!! Way to go kids!!! Thanks for your support for the ads and also for the DVDs for Troops that you're currently raising money for!!
Posted by: Jeanine | May 5, 2008 3:26 PM
I think this is a wonderful example of how quality TV programming will fill more purposes than entertainment. Jericho especially. It is educational, it promotes discussion in families, it teaches family values, all of this in an addictive show.
When was the last time a teacher asked her students to watch tv? This speaks volumes about the quality.
Posted by: Brenda Smith | May 6, 2008 11:09 PM
Thanks for the great story and to Miss Oyer and her class for their help!! It is nice to see teachers who are using new ways to teach our children!!
Go Rangers!
Posted by: KrzyKitty | May 7, 2008 5:22 PM
Ms Oyer is Teacher of the Year in my eyes and her students are a real class act. I'm retired Army and I can't thank them enough for their efforts in supporting the troops. AWESOME!!!
Posted by: Steve Wood | May 20, 2008 7:27 PM
Ms. Oyer, you are the first teacher I hear about to tell students to watch Jerchico for homework. You are vey hopeful and optimistic. so. hopefully it will get bacck on the scenes because I'm waiting for it. Jerchio is the best show to recomend towards watching, so watch it when it comes. Good Luck as a Teacher Ms. Oyer.
Posted by: bocamiddlestudent | May 20, 2008 9:21 PM