Ana Virginia Flores
200 Silver Lane Eugene, Oregon 97401 • 541-221-1259• flores_a@4j.lane.edu
Curricular Unit
Sharing our stories
Grade level 9-12
INTRODUCTION
I have three personal and professional goals: know myself, know others and
continue to learn about myself and others. These are the same goals I will set
for the curriculum unit and the students. Students will be asked to look at
themselves, their histories, and their experiences and learn the histories and
experiences of others.
I will begin the curricular unit with my M.E.Ch.A students because the
philosophy of our high school chapter includes educating students our
students about their indigenous history, culture and language.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Learning about themselves
Students will have an opportunity to improve self-efficacy, empowerment and
confidence through values identification. Students will be provided a set of
values sort cards (approximately 80 values) and identify the top 5 most
important values. The values have been translated in Spanish and Nahualt.
Students will have the opportunity to learn the language of their ancestors and
understand their language and people survive today. A video that I have
recorded with Luis, a native Nahualt speaker will show the students the
pronunciation of the values. I also invited him to share a few words to share
with students to who may be interested in learning Nahualt and words of
encouragement to continue to learn about their country.
Learning about others
Students will learn the history of amate and how it was used then and today.
They will explore Luis Dominguez’s interactive painting and look at other
paintings by him. Students will also be asked to create a collage, drawing, or
painting of their top 5 values on amate paper. They will then share with their
peers their values and why it is important for them.
Students will also be introduced on a weekly basis to Mixtec, Zapotec, Mayan
and Aztec Creation/Mythological stories. They will be asked to identify the
plot, characters, morals and values of the story. They will be allowed to explore
their own personal values/morals/experience that may be congruent to the
stories of their ancestors.
Continuing Education
As part of an outreach program for elementary school students, high school
students will be asked to instruct elementary students (under the supervision
of a counselor and teacher) the values sort card lesson plan. High school
students will also participate in Mixtec, Zapotec, Aztec and Mayan story telling
to the elementary school students.
Students will also be asked to interview a family member, friend, peer or
community member about their values, family experiences, creation/legend
stories they know or immigration story. Questions that will be asked: 1) How
did the story impact your life? 2)Do you plan on continuing to share your story
and 3) Can I share your story with others?
This will lead to all the students (elementary and high school) working towards
creating a presentation or workshop for the M.E.Ch.A Regional Conference in
January 2012 at North Eugene High School (NEHS) and the Latino Celebration
at NEHS in May 2012. The presentation can be a their own story, a
community or family member, or a creation story.
The presentation can be in the form of a video, poster board, theatrical drama,
poem, display of cultural hero/family member or journal/book for either event.
The presentation will also include Nahualt language.
Supporting Websites Resources
Interactive amate painting
http://whp.uoregon.edu/amatepainting/
Nahuatl dictionary
http://whp.uoregon.edu/dictionaries/nahuatl/index.lasso