Re: kids@work day
michael (mlopez@onramp.net)
Tue, 30 Apr 1996 10:06:05 -0400
J. Solheim wrote:
>
> regarding girls-only lectures/events...
>
> The chapter of the book also went into detail about a project the teacher
> gave to her class where they had to choose a woman in history and write a
> report and give a presentation as that woman. She mentioned that children
> in school have a distinct tendancy to choose to report on or write about
> men.. even girls. She wanted to have the kids see this perspective.
>
> What do you think about the way she is teaching?
>
> Personally, I am glad there is at least one classroom taught in this way
> to point out how obviously women have been ignored in the writing of
> history. BUT, i think it also defeats the goal of equity in the classroom.
> (I.e., doing exactly what we didn't agree with, double standard).
I tend to feel that equity will be reached when there has been
enough of this kind of teaching to balance the curriculum. This is
difficult with textbooks which neither reflect cultures nor gender in
proportion. This is one reason why I display my Goddesses calendar in
my office - to educate at different levels what is often neglected in
the classroom. The faculty may teach mythologies and religious
traditions from western civilization but still neglect some traditions.
I have my own collection of materials but few ask to borrow them. I am
happy when asked to present another side in the classroom by a
colleague whether of multiculturalism or gender issues.
Michael