Okay melodrama aside, this housing change is starting to move along.
My recruiter pushed that I become more talkative with my coteacher and get the ball rolling with her. So I did, today.
My coteacher said to me how difficult it is for everyone involved, but that she feels it should be done. However, she said that she doesn't have the power to decide so we have to go to the principals tomorrow!
Eeeek! This has me in a nervous tizzy, but also elated because it is a step forward. In the meeting I feel like I will need to be strong but also not too bold.
In the meantime, I am using my planning time here at work to figure out a fun Thanksgiving lesson for the advanced class. But I don't want it to be the usual storyline and turkey thing. I think it would be better to tell them what Americans ACTUALLY do on the holiday.
Hmm, but now all I can think about is tomorrow's meeting.
hang in there, joy! You can do it!
ReplyDelete(ps: liked your hub of sparkle article)
Thanks~~ sigh, keeping my fingers crossed
ReplyDeleteGood Luck at the big housing POW WOW!
ReplyDeleteWhat Americans ACTUALLY do on the holiday is EAT TOO MUCH and watch football! THEN on "Black Friday" (the day after T.giving), as it's called, go Xmas shopping!
Everyone pretty much does eat turkey, so that's an important part of the story. Of course there's pumpkin pie......
The Indians & Pilgrim story...it's a good story.......
basically giving thanks and gratitude for what we do have is what's in our hearts and shared at the table as the food gets cold!
;-)
So....What do you think Americans ACTUALLY do on the holiday?
M.
I'm American but I can't recall ever eating turkey for Thanksgiving. For us it's usually gamehen. :P
ReplyDeleteIf you want to try something interesting you can use the story of the original Thanksgiving to segue into a discussion of NAGPRA. And will you touch upon the differences between Canadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving? (Assuming you knew that there are two.)
Good luck meeting with your principals.
I HATE teaching Thanksgiving because everyone wants some cheerful story about Pilgrims and Native Americans.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you've read ANY sort of history told from any other viewpoint than The White People Who Showed Up, that's just NOT the story. Ugh!
Amanda I too cringe at the thought of belching out the same old story our grade school teachers taught us. So I am avoiding the usual pilgram thing and going to straight to showing them what Americans DO on that day. I have collected some videos and pictures of the food.
ReplyDeleteAlso some fun things.
I took an Native American Class in community college and Latin American History at my 4yr college, so I know the brutal truth of it all.
It is kind of haunting to here kids say here that "Christopher Colombus discovered America."
America's twisted sense of history has leeched its way around the world.~
Mom~
ReplyDeleteIt is like you said, the family gets together and we eat, say thanks, and watch TV. Maybe play some games. It is different for each family of course. But the basics are there and that is what I am going to tell them.
I am also going to show them the Macy's Day parade! ;)
But it would be perfect if I could somehow infuse the smells of Thanksgiving into the classroom!
YEAH....The MACY DAY PARADE!!
ReplyDelete-------- however, you could briefly tell them the "traditional" tale of the holiday"---------------
Couldn't you suggest the school prepare & serve the traditional American T.giving day meal for the students that day??? You could help/supervise, etc... turkey & gravy & stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie etc... I'm sure you could find the fixings for the meal there somewhere.
That would be a "real" lesson!
Wish I could send it to you!
M.
YEAH....The MACY DAY PARADE!!
ReplyDelete-------- however, you could briefly tell them the "traditional" tale of the holiday"---------------
Couldn't you suggest the school prepare & serve the traditional American T.giving day meal for the students that day??? You could help/supervise, etc... turkey & gravy & stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie etc... I'm sure you could find the fixings for the meal there somewhere.
That would be a "real" lesson!
Wish I could send it to you!
M.
Yea I think I need to get in your head Mom that suggesting for things here takes more effort than like in America.
ReplyDeleteTry to understand that the school would be open to creative ideas, but I think they generally leave to us the teachers to come up with the supplies.
YEt I am still learning the system.
Maybe I can find gravy or something here.
I understand what you're saying Joy......it was just an idea!
ReplyDeleteGood luck..maybe you & the coteacher could share the idea & find the ingredients to fix the meal for (with?) your students.
gobble gobble.......
There is a possibility that as time approaches the American holiday some department stores may have some thematic food items for sale.
ReplyDelete~But nothing replaces Mom's sweet potato mix.
Hmmmm......Nice to hear that, 'cause Puja doesn't like it at all & only wants it on our T.giving menu for me!
ReplyDeleteUsually guests like it.
You could make this for your school:
Recipe:
Steamed sweet potatoes mashed w/butter, orange juice & crushed can pinapple & its natural juice.
Bake in greased pan w/dabs of butter, pineapple chunks & walnuts placed on top, sprinkle w/brown sugar!
Yum Yum....I think I'll make it for sure now!
Wish I could send ya some.
Hmm I could make the recipe but without the baking part, I don't have an oven. Most if not all homes here don't have ovens.
ReplyDeleteSome ppl buy mini ovens..but they are so expensive!hehehe