Lesson Plan: Simulation“ What would you do?”
Topic: Making Difficult Choices Under Totalitarian Regimes: Freedom, Courage and Responsibility
Target group: Students aged 15 – 18 Participants: International groups of students Duration: 90 – 120 minutes Location: Classroom or workshop space Language of instruction: English Methods: Simulation, role-play, group discussion, historical analysis, source-based learning and reflection
1. General Description
The simulation“ What Would You Do?” was an educational activity designed to help students understand the difficult choices people faced under totalitarian regimes. It encouraged them to reflect on the relationship between personal freedom, moral courage, individual responsibility and the consequences of decisions made under political pressure.
During the activity, students explored realistic historical dilemmas inspired by the experiences of people who lived under oppressive political systems. They worked in international groups, analysed different situations and considered the possible consequences of their decisions. The scenarios focused on issues such as censorship, political persecution, resistance, loyalty, personal safety and the protection of others.
The activity also introduced students to the lives and actions of Jerzy Popiełuszko and Hieronim Dekutowski. Students examined their historical experiences and discussed how their decisions reflected the challenges of their respective times. The activity highlighted the importance of using reliable historical sources and recognising that the two figures had lived in different historical circumstances and had followed different paths.