Native Americans

Today we began a new unit in social studies on Native Americans and I read the class a book on how the Native Americans took great care of the earth and pleaded with American's to do the same. In the book, it shows male Native Americans not wearing a shirt. Celine was the first to mention this and up until this point I did not even notice. I respond back saying that they didn't have much clothing to wear that is why. Celine then brings up the point that the women have tops to their outfits. Hmm, puzzled I just say oh, let's continue with the story. After the next page Celine says it is probably so they could tell the difference because all the Native Americans had long hair, so they had to be able to tell who was a boy and who was a girl. I praise Celine for such a great answer.

After the book is finished, Cosmas then asks if we could maybe put on a play about Native Americans. I said I would have to think about that, thinking that that probably will not work we are getting ready to start practicing for our Christmas program. He tries to help me agree to the issue by saying that the boys would just wear t-shirts, that they didn't have to go shirtless. Regina then responds back asking why they would wear t-shirts, when the Native Americans didn't wear t-shirts. I respond back to Regina saying that we attend a Catholic school and we practice modesty, so it would not be appropriate for the boys not to wear a shirt. Raphael then hears this and mentions that when he goes to the pool, he doesn't wear a shirt. I respond back saying that the pool is different, but we are a school and all children must wear shirts. Agnes then tries to agree with me on the issue and said, "besides we do not want to see your chest hair." Who would have thought a fourth grader with chest hair?