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STORY SHORT: Construction

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Construction
by Storyteller Jim May

www.storytelling.org/JimMay
Approximate Length of Video and Audio: 9 Minutes, 30 Seconds.

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THEME
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Race and class shape our lives, but there are ways to overcome racism and classism.
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STORY DESCRIPTION
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In “Construction,” storyteller Jim May tells the story of working on a construction site in rural Illinois while he was in high school. Although the construction work was hard, May was eager to work because it was a well-paid union job, different from the low-paid farming work he was used to in his community. While on his job, May worked with adult, African-American workers and recognized that they were treated differently, less fairly, than the white workers. Yet May was grateful just to have a job that helped him put himself through college, and he is able to recognize how valuable unions were to helping people in his community move from poverty or the working class into the middle class.  Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted in STORY SHORT

 

Diversity: Experiencing the Differences of People

The world is filled with different cultures of people. Education has the great advantage of being able to experience these different cultures and peoples on a daily basis and in a very open context, unlike many other fields. In schools, it is possible to take the time to explore different cultures up close. In the classroom, teachers can create an environment of tolerance and acceptance unlike any other place. Because of these special circumstances, students are able to benefit tremendously through the interactions with other cultures.  Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted in Black History Month

 

THE DR. KING HOLIDAY : DAY OF SERVICE Contributing vs. Taking ?

 What is the difference between contributing and taking? Do the students of today understand this distinction? Can they put it into practice? As educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that the youth of today play a role in positively contributing to our society. After all, we want our future leaders and caregivers to build our communities up and expand our resources, rather than become those who tear down our quality of life.

It is important to discuss with students, on a regular basis, the value of contributing. Contributing to conversations, to programs, to the world in a positive way. Contributing means giving or donating. It could refer to time, energy, talents, money, or resources. Students should see that everyone, regardless of age or race, has the ability to contribute to our world in a positive way and make a difference. That is how we learn about each other – values, cultures, beliefs. And that is how we make our world a better place for everyone.  Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted in African American Heritage, Black History Month

 

Not just another day off: How teachers can help students celebrate Dr. King’s Birthday on January 16

Dr. King Day : Turning Dreams Into Deeds

On January 16, will your students be thinking about the real reason for the national holiday? Or will they simply think of it as one part of a nice three-day weekend?

For so many students — and teachers alike — the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. is just another day off, rather than an active celebration of the life of America’s most prominent peacemaker. White students in particular may not think this holiday has much to do with them. And with an African-American leader in the White House, today’s young people may be thinking that racism is a thing of the past — a problem for older generations, not theirs. But in spite of great strides made since the Civil Rights era, racism still presents serious challenges for America.  Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted in ARTICLES, Change Starters, In History, Leaders

 

REFLECTIONS ON KWANZAA (Part 2 )

Be inspired. Be uplifted.

Kwanzaa is an annual festival celebrated in many African American communities, churches, schools and homes December 26 through January 1.  This ritual was created in 1966 by Dr.  Karenga of California State University, Long Beach, CA.  It is celebrated throughout the USA and around the world and is born of values from Africa.

When the Kwanzaa ritual is celebrated fully there are seven values or principles that are remembered and valued on each of the days of Kwanzaa. They embody the strengths, solidarity, struggles, dignity and hopes and goals of the community.

The 7 Kwanzaa principles are :

Umoja (Unity) To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (Self-determination) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective work and responsibility) To build and maintain community together and make our sister’s and brother’s problems our problems and to solve them together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)  To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses together.
Nia (Purpose) To make our collective vocation the building of our community to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Kuumba (Creativity) To do as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Imani (Faith)  To believe with our hearts in our people, our parents,our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness of our struggle.

 

The Kwanzaa seven principles have a universal message for all people – good will. These values stress the importance of uniting people through shared beliefs and acts, resulting in the strengthening and celebration of family, community, and culture.*  Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted in African American Heritage, Winter Holidays

 

REFLECTIONS ON KWANZAA (Part 1 )

Be inspired. Be uplifted.

Kwanzaa is an annual festival celebrated in many African American communities, churches, schools and homes December 26 through January 1.  This ritual was created in 1966 by Dr.  Karenga of California State University, Long Beach, CA.  It is celebrated throughout the USA and around the world and is born of values from Africa.

When the Kwanzaa ritual is celebrated fully there are seven values or principles that are remembered and valued on each of the days of Kwanzaa. They embody the strengths, solidarity, struggles, dignity and hopes and goals of the community.   Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted in African American Heritage, Winter Holidays

 

Cooperative Learning and Diversity: Working Together in the Classroom

As classrooms are becoming more and more diverse each year, schools strive to provide rigorous curriculum that celebrates cultural differences of all students. Cooperative Learning is an excellent tool that educators can use to facilitate unity, understanding, and growth on many levels in the classroom.

What is Cooperative Learning? It is a widely utilized and respected instructional method that encourages children of all ages to work together and to learn from one another. It highlights an additional way for students to learn, aside from the traditional forms of learning – like direct instruction from the teacher and textbook guided lessons. Cooperative Learning builds understanding through interactions with peers, something that is greatly needed when working in diverse classrooms.  

 
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Posted in LESSON PLANS

 

Culturally Responsive Classrooms: What to Avoid and What to Incorporate

Today’s students are more diverse than ever before, and it is vitally important that cultural differences in the classroom be acknowledged and celebrated. Culturally responsive classrooms are positive examples of inclusion. They breed compassion while enhancing student learning. How do you build and maintain a classroom like this? Below are some tips for successfully blending cultural awareness and academics.  Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted in LESSON PLANS

 

Differentiation: A Vital Tool for Inclusion and Understanding in Today’s Schools

As our society diversifies in cultural heritages, schools must adapt to the many different cultures that fill the classrooms. It is no longer appropriate or acceptable to teach without acknowledging the “melting pot” or many and varied mixtures that is our world. Differentiation is the key for developing cultural awareness and understanding in schools, and is an important current trend in education.

What is it? Essentially, differentiation is the use of many different teaching methods based on diverse student needs. This is a student-centered way of teaching – that whatever is taught is done in a manner that will reach students where they are, as it should be. It ties academic concepts to student backgrounds, interests, and abilities.  Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted in LESSON PLANS

 

Peace on Earth: Winter Celebrations Encouraging Peacemaking

When snow covers the ground and temperatures dip, schools and families look forward to celebrations of the season. They may be celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or of many other sort. Regardless of the differences in the merriment, one constant is held by each – peace.

Our country has spent years engaged in a battle to protect and ensure the survival of peace into the future. Most of today’s students, however, do not remember a time of peace in our country. For these students, all they know is our country at war. For them, it has been a lifetime of dissent. It is time to gather together in peace, to celebrate peace, and to teach our children how to respect and get along with others. How do schools and teachers begin to teach and enforce something that our country cannot seem to overcome today? What can schools and teachers do to encourage peacemaking in students?  Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted in Bullying

 
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