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Darren Walker, President: Ford Foundation

Hope and Courage in Action (Season One)

Overview

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Darren Walker Lesson | Teaching The Thread

"Hope is the oxygen of democracy" - Darren Walker, The Thread

Darren Walker recalls his childhood in Louisiana and early exposure to the Head Start program. He discusses his challenges and choices at the Ford Foundation, highlighting the need to address inequality. Walker reflects on the impact of the sudden death of his partner and the lessons of grace and generosity that guide him.

 

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Lesson Objectives

Social Studies

*Examine President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty and the origins and impact of Head Start

*Understand the role of philanthropy in a democracy

*Reflect on the principles of democracy using a first person narrative

English Language Arts

*Examine the value and virtue of human dignity

*Examine the principles of democracy using a first person narrative

*Examine perspective taking from the point of view of one philanthropic leader

*Explore the idea of purposeful work and a meaningful life

*Use Darren Walker’s episode as evidence to write a rhetorical argument, commentary, ors ynthesis essay

Social Emotional Learning: By offering engaging personal narratives, students can discuss and strengthen the five SEL competencies - self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Media Literacy: Students will practice media literacy skills by analyzing information, points of view, and claims made in The Thread and be able to translate these strategies with all forms of media to make more informed decisions.

Darren Walker Lesson | Teaching The Thread

First Take >

The "First Take" activity is a warm-up writing or conversation exercise created uniquely for The Thread to strengthen media literacy skills. Like an opening song in a musical, the first stanza of a poem, or even the first impression one person makes on another, the "First Take" asks students to reflect and share their initial thoughts and feelings about the episode’s opening and why the filmmaker and editor made these choices.

Download Darren Walker's lesson to access the complete “First Take” activity.

Darren Walker Lesson | Teaching The Thread

The Thread Up Close >

After watching the interview, students will debrief and discuss the life story and engage in a close read and analysis of his interview using the "Hope and Courage in Action" episode and transcript.

In this lesson, students will define and explore the social safety net and understand its importance in a democracy.

Download lesson to access “The Thread Up Close” activity.

 

Darren Walker Lesson | Teaching The Thread

"Hope and Courage in Action" >

In this lesson students will explore the title of this lesson, read Walker's essay, "Toward a New Gospel of Wealth", and examine his point of view on a just, fair, and equitable society. 

Download the lesson to access the complete "Hope and Courage in Action" activity.

 

Resources

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