Self-introductions

[Richard Cate]

Hello group! My name is Richard Cate. I have taught at Sepulveda Middle School's Gifted Magnet for 25 years. When I began I was just like most of us who grew up in post WWII America, I knew almost nothing about Asia. The Japanese were still looked on in a demeaning way, Japanese toys for example were concidered trash toys (made out of tin with sharp crimpings on the edges. they did have an interesting and distinctive smell.) China was hidden away in isolation ubder Mao, I' not even sure if the Chinese Exclusion Acts were abolished yet. 

I had to teach Asia for my world history classes so I began to read and found mre ways that I could teach about our culture by using features of Asian culture. I had a break through when I participated in the Pre 1900 China seminar when the institute was still at UCLA. And have used what I learned there and expanded my knowledge about Asia ever since. I look forward to learning more with each session of these seminars.

[Dennis O'Connell]

Hello Cynthia!  As our sessions are passing by us rapidly, I thought I would reach out to you as another elementary school teacher.  I am hoping a few of us can brainstorm together via this forum on how to use the material we are learning in a meaningful way in our classrooms.  For you, the fact that you have second language learners from China and Korea in your classroom, makes any knowledge of the region helpful in relating to your students.  However, are there lessons we can design or resources we can use over and above just a surface knowledge of the region?  I look forward to pooling our ideas over the next month or so!

[Dennis O'Connell]

Hello Iris!  As a primary school teacher, I am reaching out to you.  Our sessions are passing by quickly and I am trying to figure out how we can use the information we are learning in a meaningful way in our classrooms.  All of us who are elementary school teachers should brainstorm some ideas and share what we are thinking in the forum so that all of our students can benefit.  I look forward to picking your brain and you picking mine!

[Dennis O'Connell]

Hello Haena!  I have reached out to Cynthia and Iris and you are next on the list!  I am hoping we as elementary school teachers can bounce ideas of of one another about what might work as lessons in our classrooms based on some of what we have learned so far.  I am learning a lot in the lectures and the readings, but I am having less success thinking about how I can use the information in my classroom.  I have taught my students about Asia in many ways in my classroom in the past (Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, immigration of Asians into California around the time of the Gold Rush, Haiku poetry, etc.), but I am hoping to add to this repetoire of lessons.  Let me know if you think of some things!  

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