Teachers: Vanessa Medellin, Tracy French, & Matt Chapman
Grade & Subject: 6th Grade Interdisciplinary
School: High Tech Middle North County
In this project, students immersed themselves in the diverse landscape of indigenous cultures, blending arts, science, humanities, and math. The essential question asked “How can impactful stories lead to long-lasting shifts in our attitudes and behaviors?” Students explored the impacts of colonization on communities, and expanded their understanding through meaningful conversations. From absorbing the wisdom of indigenous communities like Rincon Reservation to crafting constellations inspired by the storytelling traditions of the sky, students embarked on a holistic learning journey. The project’s centerpiece, The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera, guided them through Petra Peña’s poignant narrative, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural histories. This initiative aimed to celebrate diverse thinking, create a platform for dialogue, and inspire a future that values a spectrum of perspectives, weaving together the threads of shared humanity and celestial storytelling.
Teacher Reflection
The meaningful connections forged between science, humanities, math, and art not only enriched the student’s understanding but also facilitated constant reflection, questioning, and dialogue. Witnessing the students actively engage with indigenous communities, creating a sense of community within our classroom and families, and delving into historical narratives has been profoundly rewarding. This experience reinforces the importance of diverse representation in the classroom and the profound value of connecting with one’s cultural roots through the exploration of origin stories. It is a testament to the power of fostering engaged, curious, and culturally aware learners.
—Matt & Vanessa
Student Reflection
Some things that I liked about this project were making a stamp. I enjoyed making a stamp because it was a fun experience to create. My stamp is about a man reaching for a star. My favorite thing was reading The Last Cuentista. This book is about a 12-year-old girl called Petra Peña. She was moving to a new planet called Sagan.
—Maya
What I enjoyed most about this project was when we started making our constellation drawings because of how we got to use our stars to have a connection to our constellation stories. I felt that this project was very fun to do because we learned about how people used to live and how unfair people were back then during slavery and colonization as well as how they were treated because of how they looked or their race and for being a part of an indigenous community.
—Emily
Teachers: Vanessa Medellin, Tracy French, & Matt Chapman
Grade & Subject: 6th Grade Interdisciplinary
School: High Tech Middle North County
In this project, students immersed themselves in the diverse landscape of indigenous cultures, blending arts, science, humanities, and math. The essential question asked “How can impactful stories lead to long-lasting shifts in our attitudes and behaviors?” Students explored the impacts of colonization on communities, and expanded their understanding through meaningful conversations. From absorbing the wisdom of indigenous communities like Rincon Reservation to crafting constellations inspired by the storytelling traditions of the sky, students embarked on a holistic learning journey. The project’s centerpiece, The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera, guided them through Petra Peña’s poignant narrative, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural histories. This initiative aimed to celebrate diverse thinking, create a platform for dialogue, and inspire a future that values a spectrum of perspectives, weaving together the threads of shared humanity and celestial storytelling.
Teacher Reflection
The meaningful connections forged between science, humanities, math, and art not only enriched the student’s understanding but also facilitated constant reflection, questioning, and dialogue. Witnessing the students actively engage with indigenous communities, creating a sense of community within our classroom and families, and delving into historical narratives has been profoundly rewarding. This experience reinforces the importance of diverse representation in the classroom and the profound value of connecting with one’s cultural roots through the exploration of origin stories. It is a testament to the power of fostering engaged, curious, and culturally aware learners.
—Matt & Vanessa
Student Reflection
Some things that I liked about this project were making a stamp. I enjoyed making a stamp because it was a fun experience to create. My stamp is about a man reaching for a star. My favorite thing was reading The Last Cuentista. This book is about a 12-year-old girl called Petra Peña. She was moving to a new planet called Sagan.
—Maya
What I enjoyed most about this project was when we started making our constellation drawings because of how we got to use our stars to have a connection to our constellation stories. I felt that this project was very fun to do because we learned about how people used to live and how unfair people were back then during slavery and colonization as well as how they were treated because of how they looked or their race and for being a part of an indigenous community.
—Emily
