http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjdnM8GfLFY (You will have to copy and paste into your browser.)

This does a pretty accurate job of describing the growing gap between the Yup'ik culture and modern times. It is interesting being here from an outsider's perspective because their is a constant push to integrate more and more Yupik into the schools, yet kids are all consumed by their video games and the internet. They need instant gratification which is what is driving the current generation away from the culture. Just from the beginning of the year to now we have gone from having a Yup'ik instructor once a week for 20 minutes to having classroom aides teach it for a half hour everyday.

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, we have been studying Early Exploration and the pilgrim's voyage to the United States. I planned multiple lessons in a row but I think they gained the most when the lesson became more of a conversation. We spent 15 minutes looking up what the pilgrims and Indians ate at the First Thanksgiving on the smart board and talking about how much different the food was back then (totally unplanned.) It is not what you expect.. go take a peak for yourself. Did you know they had lobster at the First Thanksgiving? Great minds always learning!
Here is the quote of the week from one of my students in response to early exploration: "I didn't know so much happened before we were born!" Although this is a simple thought, it is something that is easy to forget because sometimes it seems like we are overly consumed by the present. It re-newed my excitement about teaching social studies and history.. or rather exploring the past with them.

It's funny.. even through I always feel mentally drained at the end of the day, their is always this ounce of sadness that I won't see my kids until the next day. Then again, my mind is oddly twisted.
Thanks for following! I will continue to keep you all posted on life in the tundra!