|
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month and including it in lesson plans is easier with the resources below.
Our Senate Bill 13 Tribal History/Shared History page on the ODE website should be your first stop. It represents years of collaboration with Oregon’s tribal governments in an effort to tell the entire story of Oregon’s history and the culture of today. The page is packed with resources including lesson plans and professional development. Bookmark the page because new information is being added regularly. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Office of Indian Education’s monthly newsletter!
The Smithsonian network of museums in Washington, D.C., includes the National Museum of the American Indian whose website has pages dedicated to helping K-12 educators. Be sure to check out the resources dedicated to teaching more accurately and thinking more broadly about the Thanksgiving story.
Closer to home, the Oregon Historical Society has a resource on their website called Experience Oregon which is the cornerstone of their museum experience.
The best part is that all of this information is available year-round. So let Native American Heritage Month be the launching point for continuing to include this perspective in classes throughout the school year!
On November 20, 2023, we honored Transgender Day of Remembrance.
According to the 2020 Oregon Student Health Survey taken by 6th, 8th and 11th grade students, 8% are transgender, gender-expansive, or questioning. Please review the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan and resources webpage for strategies about supportive practices, inclusive instructional materials, safe and affirming spaces and more as you consider how educators and schools can build legacies of love and support for transgender and gender expansive students during Transgender Awareness Month.
Coverage of the terrorist attacks by Hamas and Israel’s response of a declaration of war continues to play out on TV and social media. Similar to the crisis in Ukraine, the effects are far-reaching. Horrific images of the loss of life and destruction can cause psychological distress among students and adults.
Oregon is home to students and staff with cultural and family ties to Israel and Palestine and has seen a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents. As educators, we can provide a space for all community members to learn about current events, ask questions, and share thoughts.
It's likely students have been following these events, overheard conversations, and will continue to see images on social media. They will most likely be curious about the cause and impacts this war may have both globally and locally. To help students better understand this event and to place it in a broader context, we've gathered history/social science, mental health, and social and emotional learning resources to support teachers and families in assisting students.
More about the resources available...
Breaks and transitions in the academic year can be very challenging for Oregon students and school staff. Many families face loss, uncertainty, and turmoil. Making time and space for care, connection, grace and patience are vitally important to nurturing health and well-being now, and throughout the school year.
Children, adolescents and adults often find comfort in predictable routines. So interruptions to regular activities during holidays and breaks can be anxiety-provoking. Reactions to these types of stressors can take many forms such as frustration, anger, irritability, sadness, and withdrawal. These typical human stress responses may be particularly evident before, during and after time away from school.
This means that students and staff may need greater emotional support during transitional times. That is why we are continuing to encourage schools and districts to prioritize care, connection and community, and dedicate time and space in the school day for students and staff to make meaning of their experience through structured and unstructured tasks. This may include individual or group expressive activities like writing, art, music, movement, experiential learning opportunities, silence, and time for individuals to connect with their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
The most important thing that we can do to support each other is to be mindful that breaks and holidays can be difficult, and hold space for all experiences and reactions.
Please review this flyer to access resources to promote and support health and well-being.
|
|
