Week two: This week's focus was on Allotment. We watched a video, "The Worst Thing They Ever Done", which was actually bits and pieces taken from a longer movie, Place of Falling Waters. The clips that we watched really personalized what happened, particularly to the Salish, due to the Allotment Act. It was difficult for me to watch people talk about the effects this Act had on their families. Hearing it directly from the family members makes it seem more real to me.

Perspective came up in a number of our discussion posts this week. While we attempt to teach history from the perspectives of all people involved, it is interesting to note that even within cultures, the perspectives can be different. Not all members of one group perceive the effects the same way.

I did find myself feeling a little guilty for what my ancestors did to the Native American people. I cannot imagine coming to an area people are already living and being so selfish as to take over their land and make them leave their homeland. I know that I cannot rewrite history, but have a goal of educating my students about what truly took place. After reading the discussion posts of others, I know that the issues of white guilt and resentment are tough ones. I know I need to teach this topic honestly, but delicately. There are students of both European and Native American descent in my classroom.

I already knew a little bit about the Allotment Act and the Hellgate Treaty. Teachers from my school took a trip to Council Grove State Park several years ago, which was my first exposure to the treaty and its ultimate outcome. This video was a good reminder for me. It got me thinking about how I can teach this event, which was so life-changing for the people in the Victor area, to third grade students. I had never heard the "checkerboard" description before. I think third graders could understand this and it would help them visualize it.

We also had three lesson plans to review this week. I read them all and like how they all meet the Common Core Standards. I know when I took my Master's courses we spent a lot of time finding ways to teach reading in all subject areas. These lessons are a good way to teach the information while working on those crucial literacy skills. I especially liked the text coding in the lesson regarding Sam Resurrection's letter. It makes the student slow down and be more thoughtful, which is important when reading this letter.

I think the visual use of the slides for the Politics of Allotment is very powerful and perfect for promoting discussion. The slides and the discussion questions work well together to help show students what otherwise might be difficult for them to understand.

I liked the elementary lesson, "A Connection to Everything" the best; only because I can see myself using it with my third graders. The narrative is heartbreaking, but incredibly eye-opening. It truly shows how important "home" is. I have already done my boarding school unit this year, but I think this lesson would fit well in it. I work with two books written by Nicola I. Campbell and illustrated by Kim LaFave. The are Shi-shi-etko and Shin-chi's Canoe. The first is about a young girl who is getting ready to go to boarding school for the first time. She is encouraged to "pack her memories" of home. She knows she cannot take anything with her, but knows how important that home connection is. In the second book, it is her brother's turn to go away to boarding school. Both books show how difficult it was on the kids and the families to have them leave home and go to school. I found a trailer some students had created on You Tube. It gives a good introduction to both books. You can check it out at the following link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA48r__yswE        (created by Jake and Graham at HCVC School).

I am looking forward to using "A Connection to Everything" in conjunction with my other lessons. I figure the groundwork has been set with the two books I taught about boarding schools. I can use the connection lesson to move on to Allotment. I welcome any ideas and insights you might have. Thanks!