Lesson start ideas	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	History
What age group	Doesn't matter
What topic	Colonialism
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Objective

To explore the far-reaching impact of colonialism on modern society and foster critical thinking skills through an interactive activity.

Materials

• An empty glass bottle
• Sand
• Sticks or small branches
• Toys or figurines
• Other decorative items

Procedure

1. Begin the lesson by introducing the topic of colonialism and its impact on the world. Outline the major events and consequences of colonization.

2. Next, distribute the materials listed above. Instruct each student to take turns adding an item to the bottle, representing an aspect of colonialism. For example, the sand could represent the displacement of indigenous peoples from their homelands, while the toys could represent the exploitation of resources and labor.

3. As each item is added, encourage the students to discuss the significance and symbolism behind it. Encourage critical reflection and discussion, asking questions such as:

• How might this object represent the impact of colonialism?
• What is the message behind this depiction of colonialism?
• What does this object tell us about the history of colonialism?

4. Finally, once all of the items have been added, ask the students to reflect on the completed bottle. What does it tell us about the impact of colonialism? What lessons can we draw from this interactive activity?

Conclusion

Through this creative activity, students will engage with the complex topic of colonialism in a hands-on way. They will learn about how colonization has shaped our world and develop their critical thinking skills by analyzing the different symbols and themes represented in the bottle.