Maestra Teacher
  • Blog
  • About Me

January 09th, 2020

1/9/2020

2 Comments

 
I'm teaching my social studies class about the Tainos of the Caribbean and the European conquest of the Americas. This year, I have changed a few things about how I’m doing it. For one, after reading the New York Times articles, 1619, I will be introducing slavery right away, at the same time as the arrival of the Europeans. Also, the new trend is to refer to slaves as “enslaved people”, so I will take the opportunity to explain this language to my students. 

This year as the students delved into readings (written by me) and videos about the Taino people, one student questioned the existence of fossils as proof of how people lived before. He claimed that there were people who went around the world, planting fossils all over so others could find them. He said they have to made up, because after all, where in the bible does it mention fossils? I knew that I had to respond carefully. 

“Well,” I said, showing him with my hands, “the bible is one thing, and science is another.” I knew I couldn’t tell him that the bible wasn’t real, but I also knew that I had to convince him that science is. 

I’ve had this student in class since the beginning of last year, 2018, so I know him pretty well. Later that class, he made another comment which I did not address at the time. He wondered out loud what would have happened to the Tainos if Columbus had not mistakenly run into the Caribbean islands. He followed that with, “Ewww, we would have been tanned, ugly.” I had heard comments like these before from him - a sad commentary about a kid whose people are a mix of Taino, Spanish, and West African people. At the time I was too busy with other students and it was nearing the end of class so I just said something like, “don’t say things like that.” However, I know I will have to address it. 

Today, he brought me oatmeal cookies and was better-behaved than any other day all year. Coincidence? Maybe. 

How do you address statements like this from your students? I have thoughts about how to continue integrating social justice awareness in my curriculum, but I would love to hear from readers! Please comment below!

​
2 Comments
russhessays.com/researchpaperwriting.html link
1/12/2020 03:29:28 am

When it comes to social justice, I tend to be cautious on every word that I say to my students. I know that this could influence them and their thinking that's why I am careful with this topic. Actually, it is a job of a teacher to be sensitive and mindful towards the words that come out on their mouth whenever they are in front of their class. You can possibly make a perception on their mind which can be wrong and that's dangerous!

Reply
best essays link
9/18/2020 06:00:21 pm

I wonder how it will feel like if you were my teacher. I am now actually knowledgeable with what the things you have just mentioned above but of course as a person who loves to learn things, even though I firmly believe in something just like the bible which you have mentioned is not real, I am still open with knowing the possibilities or explanations you have as to why you think it is not real. I don't want to close my heart and mind with some information that can make me change the way I live my life most importantly if it will help me live a great life. Thanks by the way for sharing this.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Archives

    September 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Proudly powered by Weebly
Photo used under Creative Commons from Prayitno / Thank you for (11 millions +) views
  • Blog
  • About Me