Film still from Escuela

TEACHING MODULE: U.S. Cultural Identity Acknowledging that a variety of different cultures exist within our own borders is still a challenge in today's society. Providing opportunities for young people to gain an appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity is the goal of the titles in this module. These films and videos introduce Asian-American, African-American, Native American and Latino cultures through the eyes of young women and present an important American experience that often goes unnoticed. Other important issues presented in this series are: immigration; native traditions and customs; stereotypes; and school, peer and parental pressures. MODULE STUDY GUIDE: For Grades 6-8 and 9-12 QUESTIONS & ACTIVITIES: GRADES 6-8 Pre-viewing questions: What does it mean to live in a multicultural, multiracial and multiethnic society? Do you have any friends from different cultural background than your own? If so, have you ever shared in their traditions or customs? How have these experiences influenced your understanding of people from different backgrounds? Post-viewing questions: Have you ever moved or changed schools mid year? If so, how did that impact your life? Was it difficult to adjust to a new environment, find friends and adjust to school? Can you relate to Liliana's or Mai's experiences? Are there any traditions or customs in these films similar to those practiced by your family or community? Have you ever been part of any Native American ritual like a Pow-Wow or traditional dance like in Kinaalda or Real Indian? How much of this did you learn in school? Activities: Conduct an "oral history" on your family's background and cultural traditions. Interview immediate and extended family members of all ages. Present these interviews in a report form or as an article that can be presented to the entire group or printed in a school publication. QUESTIONS & ACTIVITIES: GRADES 9-12 Pre-viewing questions: Define "stereotype." Is it ever appropriate to stereotype a group different from your own? Do you believe that stereotypes lead to racist acts? Has your ethnic group ever been stereotyped? Are you or any of your family members immigrants to this country? If so, where are they from and what is their perspective on the American experience? Post-viewing questions: How do these films disprove stereotypes? What is the "American Dream"? Will young women like Mai and Liliana ever be able to achieve this dream? If so, why or why not? Is it difficult for international students to adjust to American schools? How is life for a migrant student different from your own? Activities: Make a list of all the different ethnic groups living in your community. If you don't know who they are, contact your local Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters or census office. Gather local newspapers and magazines. Notice whether the articles and ads reflect the true demographic makeup of your community. Whose perspectives are represented? Who are they written by? Are these representations accurate or stereotypical? In class, discuss what these stereotypes mean and how they affect the community as a whole. With your classmates, brainstorm ways to dispel these stereotypes. Contact a local community organization working with a diverse constituency (such as the YMCA or National Conference National Conference for Community and Justice) and find out what they are doing to create dialogue and understanding between ethnic groups. Replay the videotapes and identify cultural practices or traditions that are different to your own. Compare these images to the stereotypes that were talked about in the earlier activity. Are there differences? If so, how and why?

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