Module II

Essential Question: How is everything connected from the perspectives of indigenous peoples and Western scientists? What are the advantages to knowing both ways?

Explain ~
This Sunday I listened to an orchestra play. For a short time a few instruments played on their own. The first instrument was a violin. It sounded beautiful. The second was a trumpet, it sounded bold. The third was a basoon, it was a new and unique sound to my ears. The last instrument was a cello. The sound of the cello was sweet, with high and low notes. Each instrument played a unique sound with its own beauty and pride. But the hair raising joy came when they all played together! Each note blended with the other and reached a harmony that could not be accomplished by any one instrument.

While I listened to the orchestra I thought about the subject of this class. I thought about our two worlds, each having their own gifts. I thought about the information that was shared in the introduction of this class. I too would like to see our state and our people use the gifts of our cultures to play together as one orchestra!

Extend~
I am an art teacher. My job is to share skills and history of objects, tools, and methodology. I am looking forward to using the TD site to share visual information with my students. I have already used a short clip on the Inca. My students were amazed to see that a bridge could be made out of grass. It was also notable that the whole community was required to provide 50 feet of braided grass. It was a quota. That braided grass was then made into bigger ropes and that were eventually connected to create a very strong structure. We then discussed the importance of each individual member in that community. I think those lessons are very applicable in todays society where a person can feel disconnected to their community and have the understanding that their participation is not valued or needed.

In this type of lesson a discussion could then follow about what in our community do we all need to pitch in to help with. Also, it could be narrowed down to what in your family or neighborhood do you participate in as a group/team/family.

Evaluate~
When I teach about a particular culture I like to read to the students a legend from that culture. While they work it helps them to not talk if they are listening to a story. It also makes the circle of knowledge richer when you learn more about what the core beliefs are of that culture. I like to make the lesson more interesting through story and help them concentrate. Using the TD resources will allow the students to have a visual image of the people of the culture. It will also give them different information than I know about!

The one unfortunate part of using TD is that I don't have a Permethean Board in my classroom to project on. I do have access to one though. It's just a matter of transitioning to another spot. I can use a projector also.

To answer the essential question... the more you know, the more that is presented in an interesting way, the more that you WANT to know! How we share information with our students about different cultures and the value of our own community will encourage them to care about and honor both!