Relations
Social studies is the practice of observing people, their relationships to each other and nature. It is possible to improve personally and build stronger relationships within our communities.
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For most people who grew up and went through the ​public school system in the United States, social studies was based from a textbook about the development of "our country" and the so-called "Declaration of Independence" and "Constitution". The experience and knowledge of others was so undervalued, if it wasn't erased, it was sugarcoated.
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It is necessary that public schools teach community development, the history of and typically marginalized communities. Classrooms must transform into centers of emotional support through our interactions with nature and learn traditional ways in preserving and protecting our land. The federal policies are tied to the economy and denies "marginalized" communities access to basic necessities. This is the reality for many families and it is important for students to learn how these systems have been set up as a social experiment. Do you think the system is working?
Community
Communities are those groups of people who share something in common or live in proximity to each other. We are all members of different types of communities and it is important that we take the steps to increase awareness to all children about the important decisions that affect them. We teach international perspectives, our global community, and how empathize with others.
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How can we adequately prepare the next generation to be active community members if we don't involve them in the first place? It is their future, not ours.
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There are lots of opportunities to engage students in social justice, political activism, environmental restoration, ​and outreach programs that give our communities higher chances for success.
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Community development through the eyes of a 2nd grade student will look different than the ideas put forth by a college student. These ideas however must not be disregarded because of age.
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It is possible to engage with this material starting in kindergarten. This will not only increase student engagement but it will also deepen the connection between students and their own communities.
History
History is a story.
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Politics and history go hand in hand. We cannot teach history without understanding the effects it has had on people. It is impossible to teach history without learning something first about the people that this history belongs to.
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The cultural erasure and genocides of non-white folks aren't even mentioned in history books. These genocides became sugar-coated to blind their own followers to the crimes being committed. This trauma has caused addiction, poverty, reliance on welfare, reduced education, loss of language, physical isolation, food insecurity, increased health issues, and mental illness that often results in suicide.
Our communities are in suffering because of the trauma but that was the plan all along. Do you see the systemic racism now?
Natural World
We give thanks to all living creatures. We acknowledge that we do not exist on this Earth alone. We don't waste precious resources by taking more than we need. We respect the powerful force that is nature. We honor those who dedicated themselves to preserving the beauty of this land. We take on the responsibility of those who came before us and we pass on the tradition to those who come after us. We strive to leave this land better than we found it. We strive to keep this land beautiful so that our children and their children can live healthy lives. We share the history of ourselves through our treatment of the land.
Teach the preservation of our sacred resources.
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It is not enough to simply know that people other than yourself think, speak, act and live differently, but it is a great place to start. From there, the change to active learning about how culture shapes perspective is up to you.
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Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education - University of British Columbia, Canada in Coast Salish territory. To learn more, click here.
Food Sustainability
Food insecurity is the worst injustice inflicted upon the world. There is no shortage of food, it is mismanaged. No money means no access to food. Eating healthy is a luxury.
Reread that.
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Our grocery store shelves are not empty. Our garbages are full of uneaten, wasted food and harmful materials. We don't appreciate the food we are given. We don't take time to slow down to connect with our food.
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We do not grow our food, we manufacture it. We produce more food than we consume. We eat processed food that cause health problems.
How do we start unlearning western farming practices and use traditional knowledge that integrates land preservation?
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What are some ways we can localize our next trip to the store?
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How can we use Indigenous knowledge and land-based education to revitalize our food system?
Our Economy
" Why teach kids about the economy? They'll just be bored. "
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Perspective. It is important that we teach how to manage your own finances but it is equally important that we learn about how our economy intersects with other countries. In order to learn the value that your money holds it is important to compare that with communities that are more affluent and with those that are living on or below the poverty line. This will broaden the perspective of students to identify their own positionality within different economic circles.
Our children need to learn to be successful in understanding the corporate systems that make up our economy and those that contribute to our global economy. Our global economy is not as simple as it once was. Nowadays people can work from home and earn a living through their social media accounts.
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In order for ourselves to properly manage our finances, a lot of us had to learn on our own. Budgeting and personal finance is not a course that is widely available in schools. If you school did offer a finance class, it probably wasn't required meaning that only a select privileged students with free time in their schedules could take it. Yet again, another system built for the rich to become richer and the poor to stay poor.