- Our philosophy at Malcolm Shabazz’ Social Studies department
is summed up in the word “multicultural.”
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- We believe that the learning environment should be reflective of all
aspects of society
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Curriculum includes service learning, hands-on projects,
day-long as well as extended field trips.
Teaching styles are varied and include:
Cooperative groups, visual aids, music, art, discussions/debate, research
as well as some traditional lecture. |
- To paraphrase W. E. B. DuBois, “The problem of the 20th century
was the problem of the color line…and it was also a phase of this
problem that caused the Civil War…and no matter how much those
who marched South and North in 1861 may have fixed on the technical
points of union and local autonomy…all nevertheless know, as we
know, that the question of Negro slavery was the real cause of the conflict.
Curious though it was, too, how this deeper question ever forced itself
to the surface despite effort and disclaimer.”
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- Courageous discussions about color and race can be very difficult
and often result in emotional or explosive responses. If this is the
case with adults, one can only imagine how challenging such discussions
can be for teenagers, even when the lessons are designed to be non confrontational
and non accusatory we must support our young people by always encouraging
them to understand the importance of anti-racism and anti-oppression
classes; showing them how to understand white privilege; and, by role
modeling, how to take a stand against attacks on Blacks, Native Americans,
Hispanics (Latinos and Chicanos), Asians and Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gendered
Americans.
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- "In the United States we have not yet achieved the full measure
of the equity, unity, justice and opportunity that were envisioned by
our Revolutionary thinkers and inscribed in our foundational principles…the
unfinished work for transformative educators is that of helping America
become what America says it is."-Gary Howard
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- "The work of transformative educators is that of dismantling
the dominance paradigm and healing the wounds of the past and present
racism."-Gary Howard
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- "All of us who occupy this land of multicultural commitment
have had to cross the borders of our own particular racial and cultural
groups to arrive in this new mental, emotional and political place.
We have had to examine our assumptions and challenge our fundamentalist
and integrationist orientations. We have had to learn from each other,
always open to unravel ever-deeper layers of ignorance, narrowness and
defensiveness regarding our limited perspectives and perceptions of
truth. We have each had to broaden our doorways to truth, to allow more
light into our personal and professional spaces, and to construct new
homes along the river of diversity."-Gary Howard
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- In addition to the above, we believe our role as Social Studies teachers
is to prepare students for the journey outside of high school, whether
the path chosen is in universities, technical schools, military service
or the work force. First and foremost we try to teach students to think
critically. To question all that is accepted in society and decide for
themselves their deepest truths.
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