I'm starting to feel as if my job is a sociological study or rather, could be used for one. Though every day could be described as interesting, I've discovered some particularly-interesting things within the past couple of weeks.
Finding I.
Last week, we did a lesson on African masks. I asked students what it means to be African American....(crickets). I asked how many thought they were African American...(crickets). Finally, a 5th grader said, "African American means you're black!" ::sigh:: Unfortunately, this was the answer (if any) given by the majority of students. This took me by great surprise. Are these kids really unaware of their heritage? Have they any idea how much adversity their ancestors had to overcome? If they did know, would it put into perspective how important it is for them to take seriously their education?
We discussed how & why the color of your skin doesn't necessarily determine your ethnicity. My kids had the most puzzled looks on their faces, but I think I may have planted a seed. I encouraged them to go home and ask their parents/grandparents/aunt/uncle/guardian about the origin of their ancestors.
Finding II.
In other areas, my students are extremely aware...perhaps a little too aware of the world and its issues. On the day of the inauguration, I had grade 3-5 students compose a letter to Barack Obama. We brainstormed by making 2 lists: one with advice for Obama and the other with promises as to what we will do as citizens to make a difference. Many students mentioned improving public schools, stopping child molesters, feeding/housing the poor, stopping prostitution, arresting drug dealers, cutting taxes, providing more jobs, etc. I was pleasantly surprised by how much they knew; at the same time I was saddened that they are aware of so many burdensome world-issues. Usually, children are so unaware of themselves and how they exist in relation to the world. There are many conflicting expectations for the students of S.P.; we want them to be able to come to school and just be kids, but on the outside, they are expected to be so much more than that for survival purposes. Some of them are so resilient and can withstand situations I wouldn't have dreamed of at their age. Others are victims of it.
There were some other items I wanted to discuss, but they have left me.
Have a great weekend.
2 comments:
You're such a good teacher. You wonder how many of them have personal experiences with those issues. A lot of my students talk about child molesters too; most of them are personally connected to that problem. It's frightening. I wonder what they had to say about their responsibility as citizens too. Very interesting.
As for the African American term, how many of us really know what it means? Are people from the Caribbean African American? Their ancestors after all came from Africa too and the Caribbean is part of the Americas, yet they tend to get their own category. At any rate, I'm glad you encouraged them to talk with their parents. I might not expect a very young child to understand their heritage, but by the time I was in 5th grade, you'd better believe my parents talked to me about my family's heritage.
Great post! Those kids are lucky to have you as a teacher.
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