Discussion Questions

  Answer each questions. 1-4(150 words each) 5-6(250 words each)

1. Describe how racial oppression continues to be a powerful force in the United States.

2. Why do you think we continue to use racial categories to classify groups of people even though we know that there is not a biological basis for these groups?

3. Consider the large racial category/categories (e.g., White, Hispanic or Latina/o, Black or African American) you belong to. In what ways are you as an individual well described by your racial label?

4. Consider the large racial category/categories (e.g., White, Hispanic or Latina/o, Black or African American) you belong to. In what was are you as an individual not well described by your racial label?

5. Calvin (9 months) and his Da are sitting on the door at home playing together. Calvin has been playing with some of his toys but Dad senses he is getting bored. His Dad gets an empty biscuit tin from the kitchen. He gives it to Calvin. Calvin lifts it, and moving it notices a sound inside it. He searches for the source of the sound. After a few minutes he looks at Dad and screeches, indicating he wants to see inside the tin. Dad takes the lid off. Calvin reaches in for his set of play keys. They put other nearby things into the tin and take them out. Dad talks about what they are doing. After a while Dad goes to the kitchen and brings back a wooden spoon. He puts the lid on the tin and starts to bang on it with the wooden spoon as he sings, I am the music man. Calvin shrieks with laughter. Dad gives the spoon to Calvin and he bangs loudly on his new drum copying what his Dad was doing. Dad sings again while Calvin drums. Dad talks to Calvin describing and affirming his actions. Calvin shows his delight in his achievements through taking turns in the conversation, laughing, gurgling, and smiling. Calvin shows his new skills to his uncle Jimmy later that day.

Discuss the new, interesting, and not necessarily academic, skills you will model for children in your classroom.

6. Calvin (9 months) and his Da are sitting on the door at home playing together. Calvin has been playing with some of his toys but Dad senses he is getting bored. His Dad gets an empty biscuit tin from the kitchen. He gives it to Calvin. Calvin lifts it, and moving it notices a sound inside it. He searches for the source of the sound. After a few minutes he looks at Dad and screeches, indicating he wants to see inside the tin. Dad takes the lid off. Calvin reaches in for his set of play keys. They put other nearby things into the tin and take them out. Dad talks about what they are doing. After a while Dad goes to the kitchen and brings back a wooden spoon. He puts the lid on the tin and starts to bang on it with the wooden spoon as he sings, I am the music man. Calvin shrieks with laughter. Dad gives the spoon to Calvin and he bangs loudly on his new drum copying what his Dad was doing. Dad sings again while Calvin drums. Dad talks to Calvin describing and affirming his actions. Calvin shows his delight in his achievements through taking turns in the conversation, laughing, gurgling, and smiling. Calvin shows his new skills to his uncle Jimmy later that day.

Discuss how you will model the skills from the “Calvin Forum” in your classroom and why those skills are needed.