This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
I teach at a Title I school on the Upper Westside of Manhattan. My students come from economically marginalized communities and many have weak educational backgrounds. All of my students come to school eager to learn something new every day, even if the teenager in them cannot demonstrate the emotion. My students have many personal challenges that make school and the requirements of school particularly daunting. That said, all of my students are held to the highest of expectations, both intellectual and professional.
My students are inquisitive and curious about other cultures.
Many of my students live very insular lives even though they live in NYC. While my students are exposed to other peoples and cultures, that contact is superficial. In my social studies classroom, units are anchored in geography, driven by primary sources and analyzed through complex secondary sources. Social studies is the perfect vehicle to teach history, inculcate professionalism and cultural capital to society's most marginalized students.
My Project
Books illuminate all aspects of our understanding of the world. Textbooks are powerful tools for inculcating values and societal norms. While textbooks have improved in their scope and inclusiveness, many histories are not fully and richly explored. The Wretched of the Earth and The Secret History of the Mongol Queens are two very important books that will challenge stereotypes and broaden the students understanding of other peoples.
At the heart of most conflicts, whether they be personal or political, is a lack of understanding of the other.
Developing and fostering empathy is perhaps one of the most profound skills and gifts that can be taught in the social studies classroom. It is incumbent upon the teacher to provide students with resources that challenge them both intellectually and emotionally. The beauty of teaching high school students is that while they are still children who are open to learning, they are mature enough dig deep inside themselves and push themselves past their comfort zones. The ability of a 15 and 16-year-old to listen to and connect with individuals of disparate backgrounds is profound.
The two chosen books, aside from being excellent reads, will challenge students to think critically. Women in history have traditionally been either invisible or creatively characterized to conform to the master narrative of acceptable womanhood. Both of these books demonstrate the incredible nuances of humanity and are true stereotype busters.
Students must learn to think critically about their environment and the information they receive, whether it comes from the news or their teachers. All students need critical thinking skills to be successful in college and beyond and the chosen books will help achieve this goal.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Christine Fryer and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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