Continuity and Change in Jamaican Society

Continuity and Change from the 18th-21st Century

• Lesson Objectives:
  • Define and use terms like change, sequence, continuity, architecture, era, decade, century, etc.
  • Identify changes and continuities in Jamaican society from the 18th century to the present
  • Illustrate changes in Jamaican transportation, communication, fashion, recreation, and architecture over the past century.
  • Compare change and continuity from the 18th to the 21st century.
  • Understand that change and continuity are part of everyday life
  • Explain the importance of change in history
  • Show tolerance of differing perspectives
  • Appreciate societal changes

Task: Identifying Change in Nature

• Nature Poem Analysis:
  • The poem describes changes in natural elements (sun, rain, trees, blossoms) during different parts of the year
  • The poem focuses on the continuous pattern of change in natural world

Introductory Activity

• Define Change: Students should define the term "change" in their own words
• "The More Things Change" Saying: Discuss the philosophical concept that while things change, fundamental elements remain the same

Agree or Disagree?

• Change Rates: Change can be both slow and rapid (subtle to dramatic)
• Change and Continuity: Change doesn't always mean progress, and continuity isn't always stagnation.

Definition of Key Terms

• Architecture: The design and construction of buildings.
• Century: A period of 100 years.
• Change: To make or become different.
• Continuity: The quality of something that doesn't stop or change over time.
• Decade: A period of 10 years.
• Era: A long and distinct period in history.
• Sequence: The order in which things follow each other.
• Transportation: The means by which people or goods are moved from place to place.

Video: Continuity and Change

• Focus: The ongoing nature of continuity and change.

Agree or Disagree? (Further Considerations)

• Pace of Change: Change can be fast or slow.
• Nature of Change: Change can be positive, negative, or both.
• New is not Necessarily Better: Introducing that new things are not automatically better.

Class Activity (1950-2018)

• Unchanging Elements: Students should identify aspects of society that have remained relatively stable between 1950 and 2018.
• Reason for Stability: Provide reasons for the identified stability.

Changes in Jamaica over Time

• Habour Street, Kingston: Images of Harbour Street in Kingston show the progression from 1876 to present day.

Relevance of the topic

• Impact of Past on Present: The topic's importance lies in showing how the past matters for the present.
• Long-Term Significance: Some institutions or concepts endure over long periods and are continually evolving.
• Importance of change in the study of History: Continuity and change in society is essential for recognizing that society continually changes.

Continuity and Change (Summary)

• Change and continuity are constant, intertwined, and part of every aspect of life.
• The speed of change can vary, from gradual shifts to abrupt transformations.
• Change is not inherently good or bad.
• History examines how elements of society have changed over time and the implications of change.

Class Activity (Textbook Reading)

• Focus: Students should discuss changes in Jamaican transportation, communication, recreational activities, fashion and architecture over the past century.

How can I use it?

• Comparison Methods:
  • Focus on changes between periods
  • Compare features/patterns of different periods
  • Understanding Changes over Time: Identifying turning points in the evolution of certain topics and patterns.
• Re-periodizing History: Dividing history into periods based on continuity and change.

Example - Ford Model T and Toyota Prius

• Different Eras: Comparing the cars of the early 20th Century (Ford Model T) to the early 21st Century (Toyota Prius) to illustrate the shift in technology.

Homework

• Choose ONE: Select from transportation, communication, fashion, recreational activities, or architecture for comparisons. Include dates on presented pictures for context.
• Write 5 Sentences: Summarize the importance of change and continuity in history in your own words, in 5 sentences.