_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(ga); })();
Jump to  

Posts tagged as:

Native Americans

The Truth About Thanksgiving

by Jennifer Lance on November 22, 2007 · 0 comments

784px-the_first_thanksgiving_jean_louis_gerome_ferris.pngBefore I begin to cook, I wanted to share some information regarding the myth of Thanksgiving that was prepared for teachers. Originally written and developed by Cathy Ross, Mary Robertson, Chuck Larsen, and Roger Fernandes for the Indian Education program at Highline School District in Tacoma, Teaching About Thanksgiving explores factual information regarding this holiday. As the authors write,

So what do we teach to our children? We usually pass on unquestioned what we all received in our own childhood classrooms. I have come to know both the truths and the myths about our “First Thanksgiving,” and I feel we need to try to reach beyond the myths to some degree of historic truth.

How will you teach your children about this day of thanks, that initiated the genocide of Native Americans? Here are some highlights from Teaching About Thanksgiving: [read the full article...]

{ 0 comments }

Great Children’s Literature: Fire Race

by Jennifer Lance on November 6, 2007 · 0 comments


If you are a true localvore, does that mean you read local tales to your children? I try to chose local goods as much as possible, and I have always had an affinity for Native American stories, so Fire Race fits into my localvore ideals by providing a locally based story to share with my children.  In California Native American tales, Coyote is often the trickster. Fire Race begins with Coyote up to his old tricks as he steals fire from the Yellow Jacket Sisters.

[read the full article...]

{ 0 comments }

Resources for Environmental Education

by Jennifer Lance on August 23, 2007 · 0 comments

[read the full article...]

{ 0 comments }

Are Play Teepees Culturally Sensitive?

by Jennifer Lance on April 25, 2007 · 3 comments


For my daughter’s second birthday, her grandmother got her a Magic Cabin Teepee
icon. This canvas teepee was truly beautiful and expensive. It took me several attempts to properly assemble the teepee, but once it was up, the teepee provided a great enclosed outdoor space to play in and looked great in the yard. The canvas is secured to the ground with tent stakes (not provided). During high winds, the tent stake straps tore on our teepee, and it came crashing down breaking a pole. I repaired the pole as best as possible, as well as the tent stake canvas loops. In the hot California sun, the canvas deteriorated quickly. We stored the teepee under our shop during the wet, winter months. The following summer, the canvas was stained and very weak. The teepee did not survive its second summer, as more poles broke and the canvas tore in many places. I was sorely disappointed, as I truly love the teepee, and it was very expensive. I don’t know if our climate or our storage of the teepee contributed to its destruction, but we can no longer read stories and play in this unique structure.

[read the full article...]

{ 3 comments }