The People vs. Columbus, et al

A tense trial was wrapped up moments ago. The People made convincing arguments proving the guilt of Columbus, Columbus' Men, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the Taino/Arawaks themselves, and the System of Empire. Each group was indicted with the mistreatment and murder of the Tainos. Two students represented each defendant, either pleading guilty or not guilty as well as accusing the groups whom they deemed most responsible for the tragedy in the 1490's and beyond. Students prepared thoughtful defenses, answered questions, made accusations and offered rebuttals to other groups. Punishments were meted out, but for some reason each was laughed at by the guilty parties.

Autumn

Wow, lots of time has passed and we've delved into many things. Let's get you updated...

Each math group is finishing up their first units of study. Students have taken a short assessment and checked their answers. As we begin our second units, students will continue to have the opportunity to review what they have already learned by completing a few "old" problems along with their new exercises.

Students have answered a series of questions critiquing the source of the textbook in its dealings with Columbus. We are now looking at their answers from a writer's perspective. Our focus on these pieces has been ideas, organization, and sentence fluency. Students have received a number of short lessons on the above topics and have put the concepts into use through peer and self editing. Transitioning between paragraphs will round out our craft lessons for this piece.

Our readings about Columbus have led us to discussions about learning to read the world. Students discussed how readers are influenced by what is included, what is omitted, and what is given the most attention to in historians' writing. Historians write by taking a side and try to convince us to agree with their perspective. Students currently believe that our textbook is taking the side of the powerful/government people, and that the Zinn book is taking the side of the everyday people. I look forward to seeing if this belief holds up as we continue to interact with each book.

Lots of other great happenings, including beginning Kamana One, exploring and expressing values concerning the environment, and the exploration of qualities possessed by the people we look up to. New pictures will be uploaded soon, so follow the link to the right.