Contract for Grade - Semester I

SEED II (Seeking Education Equity and Diversity)

In the month of October, SEED II participants were asked to write their own version of a Where Im From poem, using a model poem to assist them. Participants were asked to create a list of their own early memories in order for them to write their own poem. Their list of memories might include items in their home, names of relatives, sayings, foods and dishes, home smells, and places they kept their childhood memories. Once their poem was complete, they were asked to share all or a portion of Where Im From. Facilitators reviewed with SEED II participants the Wheel of Oppression. Examples were given and discussed of heterosexism, sexism, religious oppression, racism, classism, ageism, ableism. The October training ended with a Microlab on Conflict. The microlab was a useful activity for initiating structured, small group conversations about topics, issues, social interactions, and group dynamics. Microlabs can be organized around gender, race, class, parenting, teaching--as long as a series of questions will lead participants to make connections between adult patterns of behavior and the messages they received about the particular issue while growing up. Participants are asked to journal for ten minutes before leaving each monthly training. Journaling is important because writing generates thoughts. Journaling is also a way we can listen to our own thoughts.

The month of November brought SEED II participants into the gender issue. Participants were asked to read the book, School Girls, by Peggy Orenstein. During book reflection times at our trainings, one person will start reflecting and reflecting will continue around the circle. Participants may pass if they wish to; however, reflection and sharing are a large part of learning in SEED. Participants were also given approximately ten minutes to write down 15 famous, past or present, women of importance in history. This activity is a real eye-opener to many participants because history books and the media dont always recognize the importance of women. The videos Shortchanging Girls, Shortchanging America and Girls In The Middle were also shown during the training. To end the training, participants were asked to select a photo from the book, I Dream A World, by Brian Lanker. This book consists of portraits of black women that changed American is some way. After selecting a photo, participants read about their selected woman and shared with the others on why they chose that photo and exactly what their selected black women did to change America. The November training ended with ten minutes of journaling.

The month of December was movie month. Participants watched Rosie the Riveter, Killing Me Softly, and Reviving Ophilia. Journaling took place after each video. Participants were then asked to share their journaling if they wanted to do so.

In January, participants were asked to read the book, Night Flying Women, by Ignatia Broker. Participants will be asked to reflect their feelings of the book if they wish to. The video, The American Experience In the White Mans Image, was shown with personal journaling after the video. In order to realize exactly how much participants have learned about past Native American history, participants were asked to fill out a timeline. The timeline is an eye-opener as to what has been bypassed in history books. Five minutes of journaling followed the timeline activity.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2000