Rationale & Service Learning
UNIT RATIONALE
The unit we have designed is essential to our students for many reasons. As adolescents, our students are often unaware of many of the important attributes of their community. Being that Great Oak is in such close proximity to the Pechanga Indian Tribe, a culturally rich and economically vital component to the Temecula Valley, we felt that it was important for our students to develop a better understanding of the role that Native Americans have played in the Southern California area for thousands of years. The academic areas that will be studied all have significance to the Lusieno Indians in that they tie into the history and culture of the tribe. For example, from a biology standpoint the unit will examine how the historical events of epidemics and the transmission of diseases during colonization influenced Native American culture and modern day medicine. From a history standpoint we will examine things ranging from missions to massacres. Along with this, the unit will examine the contributions of Native Americans to literature. For the service learning portion of the unit we are going to set up a “pen-pal” relationship with members of the Pechanga Tribe and have an end of the unit pot luck with our “pen-pals”.
HOW DID WE DECIDE ON OUR THEME?
As a team we brainstormed numerous ideas and discussed the pros and cons of each theme. As a group, we felt that a theme based on local Native American tribes was a great fit for a number of reasons. The most obvious being the close proximity to the high school, which is why the school is named after the “Great Oak” that lives on the reservation. Furthermore, local Native American tribes have long contributed to the history of the area and to this day the Pechanga Indian Reservation plays a vital role in the local economy and politics.
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS (Unit)
Students will understand how local Native American tribes have contributed to the culture, history and economies of the area.
Students will understand that local Native American tribes still contribute to the development of the U.S.
Students will understand that minority ethnic groups play a vital role in American culture.
The unit we have designed is essential to our students for many reasons. As adolescents, our students are often unaware of many of the important attributes of their community. Being that Great Oak is in such close proximity to the Pechanga Indian Tribe, a culturally rich and economically vital component to the Temecula Valley, we felt that it was important for our students to develop a better understanding of the role that Native Americans have played in the Southern California area for thousands of years. The academic areas that will be studied all have significance to the Lusieno Indians in that they tie into the history and culture of the tribe. For example, from a biology standpoint the unit will examine how the historical events of epidemics and the transmission of diseases during colonization influenced Native American culture and modern day medicine. From a history standpoint we will examine things ranging from missions to massacres. Along with this, the unit will examine the contributions of Native Americans to literature. For the service learning portion of the unit we are going to set up a “pen-pal” relationship with members of the Pechanga Tribe and have an end of the unit pot luck with our “pen-pals”.
HOW DID WE DECIDE ON OUR THEME?
As a team we brainstormed numerous ideas and discussed the pros and cons of each theme. As a group, we felt that a theme based on local Native American tribes was a great fit for a number of reasons. The most obvious being the close proximity to the high school, which is why the school is named after the “Great Oak” that lives on the reservation. Furthermore, local Native American tribes have long contributed to the history of the area and to this day the Pechanga Indian Reservation plays a vital role in the local economy and politics.
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS (Unit)
Students will understand how local Native American tribes have contributed to the culture, history and economies of the area.
Students will understand that local Native American tribes still contribute to the development of the U.S.
Students will understand that minority ethnic groups play a vital role in American culture.
Technology
ITU TASK 8: TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
a. Learning About TechnologyBecause students will be expected to use software programs like Skype, Googledocs drawing, students will be able to practice using this technology in one of GOHS many computer labs. Students will spend one day using each program while also compiling research for their Immunization poster project. Students will be taught how to use this technology by their teacher and the computer lab specialist during their English and/or History class. The theme of the ITU is the Native American Representation of the Luiseno Indians of Pechanga. Students will be directed to different URL sites to learn about bacteria and viruses using interactive websites. Students will be taken to the computer room during one class period during their biology class and will be shown how to find and interact with these website learning tools. The purpose of Skype is to create and establish a face-to-face mode of communication between the Pen Pals. The interviews will then be presented in the unit's final assignment, a Pen Pal Potluck where members of the school board, Temecula and Pechanga community, students from both school sites, and teachers, will present the information the students have compiled specifically their posters and their interviews.
Application of TechnologyBecause students will be expected to use software programs like Skype, Googledocs drawing, students will be able to practice using this technology in one of GOHS many computer labs. Students will spend one day using each program while also compiling research for their Immunization poster project. Students will be taught how to use this technology by their teacher and the computer lab specialist during their English and/or History class. The theme of the ITU is the Native American Representation of the Luiseno Indians of Pechanga. Students will use the internet to research information about the history of the spread of disease throughout the Native American population. Students will relate the information about Native American culture and the rapid spread of disease during American Colonization while learning more about different types of disease and their mode of transmission as well as how to help prevent the spread of disease. The purpose of Skype is to create and establish a face-to-face mode of communication between the Pen Pals. The interviews will then be presented in the unit's final assignment, a Pen Pal Potluck where members of the school board, Temecula and Pechanga community, students from both school sites, and teachers, will present the information the students have compiled, specifically their posters and interviews.
a. Learning About TechnologyBecause students will be expected to use software programs like Skype, Googledocs drawing, students will be able to practice using this technology in one of GOHS many computer labs. Students will spend one day using each program while also compiling research for their Immunization poster project. Students will be taught how to use this technology by their teacher and the computer lab specialist during their English and/or History class. The theme of the ITU is the Native American Representation of the Luiseno Indians of Pechanga. Students will be directed to different URL sites to learn about bacteria and viruses using interactive websites. Students will be taken to the computer room during one class period during their biology class and will be shown how to find and interact with these website learning tools. The purpose of Skype is to create and establish a face-to-face mode of communication between the Pen Pals. The interviews will then be presented in the unit's final assignment, a Pen Pal Potluck where members of the school board, Temecula and Pechanga community, students from both school sites, and teachers, will present the information the students have compiled specifically their posters and their interviews.
Application of TechnologyBecause students will be expected to use software programs like Skype, Googledocs drawing, students will be able to practice using this technology in one of GOHS many computer labs. Students will spend one day using each program while also compiling research for their Immunization poster project. Students will be taught how to use this technology by their teacher and the computer lab specialist during their English and/or History class. The theme of the ITU is the Native American Representation of the Luiseno Indians of Pechanga. Students will use the internet to research information about the history of the spread of disease throughout the Native American population. Students will relate the information about Native American culture and the rapid spread of disease during American Colonization while learning more about different types of disease and their mode of transmission as well as how to help prevent the spread of disease. The purpose of Skype is to create and establish a face-to-face mode of communication between the Pen Pals. The interviews will then be presented in the unit's final assignment, a Pen Pal Potluck where members of the school board, Temecula and Pechanga community, students from both school sites, and teachers, will present the information the students have compiled, specifically their posters and interviews.
Art
ITU TASK 9: ART COMPONENT
The Biology students will be creating posters using different mediums. The poster will depict modes of disease transmission and methods used to control the spread these diseases. The posters will be displayed at the Pen Pal potluck at the end of the Unit. Students will be required to create digital posters and fliers that will be printed and posted all over the campus and community. Students will also create digital copies of the fliers in order to send e-vites to friends, upload the fliers to Facebook, upload to the GOHS website, and tweet about the event.
The Biology students will be creating posters using different mediums. The poster will depict modes of disease transmission and methods used to control the spread these diseases. The posters will be displayed at the Pen Pal potluck at the end of the Unit. Students will be required to create digital posters and fliers that will be printed and posted all over the campus and community. Students will also create digital copies of the fliers in order to send e-vites to friends, upload the fliers to Facebook, upload to the GOHS website, and tweet about the event.
Social Justice and Equity
ITU TASK 10: SOCIAL JUSTICE & EQUITYStudents will learn about Native American history and how their culture was influenced by the wide spread epidemics during American Colonization and their representation in historical documents. The students will learn more about the Native American susceptibility to European disease and how their cultural rituals and beliefs effected and were affected by the spread of the European diseases. The students will also learn about the language of the Pechanga Indians and the Temecula Massacre. By learning the history of the Pechanga Indians and how they related to Native Americans, students will be more aware and sensitive to the history and culture of the Native Americans. By becoming more knowledgeable about the Native American culture and history, students will be able to share their knowledge with others and create a more knowledgeable and socially just community.
Service Learning
ITU TASK 11: SERVICE LEARNINGThe final potluck is the biggest example of service learning in this ITU because it involves students going out and inviting members of the Temecula and Pechanga community to come to the Potluck event where students will educate the public on the historical and cultural influences of history, biology, and language, on the Temecula community and the Pechanga Indians. The people that are essential for organizing this service are the students and their teachers who will be required to invite students of GOHS to the event as well as Temecula councilmen, Pechanga tribalmen especially the Elders, students of other local high schools, and other residents of the Temecula community. The only place that is required to accomplish this potluck event is the GOHS Performing Arts Center (PAC) which is already frequently used for community events. The things that are essential for organizing this service are mostly technology. The key components that are addressed in this service learning activity are discrimination and ignorance. By learning the history of the Pechanga Indians and how they related to Native Americans, students will be more aware and sensitive to the history and culture of the Native Americans. By becoming more knowledgeable about the Native American culture and history, students will be able to share their knowledge with others and create a more knowledgeable and socially just community.