An irreverently illustrated video history of how human societies have honored their dead is both suitable and thought-provoking for high schoolers in the frame of mind to step back from the sadness of death. Scholars learn about burial practices around the world and throughout history and are challenged to think about cemeteries in terms of their use of real estate. 

Concepts

world cultures, death, respect, rituals, cemeteries, cultural diversity, cultural traditions, human impact on the environment, religious beliefs

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Prepare students by discussing the use of animation to present serious topics: What are the potential benefits and dangers of such an approach? 

Classroom Considerations

• The video is not appropriate for individuals or communities who are grieving loved ones or who have strong feelings about the sanctity of the human body
• Requires vocabulary and geography preparation for full comprehension
  
  

Pros

• Boldly presents material that is often ignored in secondary social studies/history because of its potential delicacy
• Detailed cultural information across time may open individuals’ eyes to practices beyond their own communities
• The Think and Dig Deeper features offer rewarding discussion and research topics
  

Cons

• Potentially unsettling for some individuals: mentions of cannibalism and irreverent treatment of the dead in the images may cause distress