tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post7306622639210004589..comments2024-03-27T14:08:51.191-05:00Comments on American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): NOT RECOMMENDED: The Oregon Trail - The Race to Chimney RockDebbie Reesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972409006633565859noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-84527564516353075772022-03-20T13:55:32.495-05:002022-03-20T13:55:32.495-05:00(Possible double posting--my comment disappeared a...(Possible double posting--my comment disappeared and I didn't get a message that it was pending moderation so I'm pasting the text again)<br /><br />I just learned today that my 4th-grade granddaughter is learning about the Oregon Trail (we live in the Pacific Northwest). I asked her if they were being taught that people already lived on those lands or anything about the effects on tribal people and the answer was no. She's also playing the Oregon Trail game. I don't know if their school has the updated version described in this Smithsonian piece https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-oregon-trail-game-features-playable-native-american-characters-180977744/. That article pointed me to a game created by Indigenous game developers that I'm going to send to her, https://indianlandtenure.itch.io/when-rivers-were-trails.<br /><br />I count on your site to help me identify books I can give my grandkids so they get a more well-rounded understanding of history than I was taught in my Idaho grade school many years ago. The teacher who thinks kids shouldn't learn the whole picture is only thinking of the white kids in that class. The Nez Perce boy in my fourth-grade class in Lewiston had a different understanding of history and its effects than I did as a little middle-class white girl. He deserved to have his people's history told and I deserved to learn the truth, not the whitewashed colonizer story. That comment makes me angry and sad for the kids they're teaching.Barb Chamberlainhttp://www.biketoworkbarb.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-12969730980352188312022-03-20T13:53:32.952-05:002022-03-20T13:53:32.952-05:00I just learned today that my 4th-grade granddaught...I just learned today that my 4th-grade granddaughter is learning about the Oregon Trail (we live in the Pacific Northwest). I asked her if they were being taught that people already lived on those lands or anything about the effects on tribal people and the answer was no. She's also playing the Oregon Trail game. I don't know if their school has the updated version described in this Smithsonian piece https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-oregon-trail-game-features-playable-native-american-characters-180977744/. That article pointed me to a game created by Indigenous game developers that I'm going to send to her, https://indianlandtenure.itch.io/when-rivers-were-trails.<br /><br />I count on your site to help me identify books I can give my grandkids so they get a more well-rounded understanding of history than I was taught in my Idaho grade school many years ago. The teacher who thinks kids shouldn't learn the whole picture is only thinking of the white kids in that class. The Nez Perce boy in my fourth-grade class in Lewiston had a different understanding of history and its effects than I did as a little middle-class white girl. He deserved to have his people's history told and I deserved to learn the truth, not the whitewashed colonizer story. That comment makes me angry and sad for the kids they're teaching. Barb Chamberlainhttp://www.biketoworkbarb.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-29282029206532082672022-02-26T14:50:04.691-06:002022-02-26T14:50:04.691-06:00I am definitely one those adults who get nostalgic...I am definitely one those adults who get nostalgic about the classic video game. I also grew up and became a teacher in a small rural district in Oklahoma. Before I allow books in my classroom library, i read them to make sure they are appropriate. Choose your own adventure series are usually a big hit. Kids love the immersion of the books and I love having them as an option. <br /><br />With that said, I agree that this specific series has many flaws. I do not allow them in my class library but have used them to create an "Oregon Trail" simulation activity. This allows the enjoyment of reading and allowing students an option for choosing to make specific choices along the way. It also allows us to discuss the ramifications to the Native population by such choices the US government made during the time and how it also effects people today. <br /><br /><br />I try not to shy away from these types of books, but use them to allow discussion and learning opportunities. I am not native myself, but have grown up in Oklahoma and have seen first hand how US government policies have destroyed tribes and their land. I appreciate hearing your views on this book, and look forward to reading the books suggested to strengthen my lessons. <br /><br />Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05512064683837288088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-50560938214377064912019-04-04T15:09:18.811-05:002019-04-04T15:09:18.811-05:00I am 12 years old and when I read this series, it ...I am 12 years old and when I read this series, it was one of the best ones yet. It literally made me buy the rest of the books. And like other comments here, your way of writing it, sounds like a textbook and doesn't sound like a children's book. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-5980312816640902302019-01-21T19:53:11.083-06:002019-01-21T19:53:11.083-06:00Wwwooooooowww that anon
Person knowledgeable in N...Wwwooooooowww that anon<br /><br />Person knowledgeable in Native history: *gives history* <br />Actual History Teacher: UUUUUUHHHH I dOnt UNdErstANd wHy I shoULD teACh HISTORY iN My HISTORY CLASS? hOw DARE yOU eXpeCt aN EduCaTiONaL bOOk Be FACTUALLY ACCURATE??<br /><br />Like WOOOOOOW. Why did she even bother coming on to a Native American children’s book site if history in her eyes is just supposed to be “fun”? There’s a difference between simplification and inaccuracies. And even if the books do have some type of likable humorous edge, you can still criticize the things you enjoy. Though I don't know how you can complain about depressing elements in a book with the main selling point of dying of dysentery. <br /><br />But even so, I suspect the reason the books are supposedly gaining popularity is the nostalgia factor from adults, even if they are marketed at children. The memories of the game are not specifically tied to the history lesson itself but of some of the references and jokes tied to the game. I haven’t read these books but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was mostly adult gamers or nostalgic parents who are buying them just to see the jokes again, and then giving them to the kids, and the kids only enjoying it for the humor/novelty of having the stakes of the child characters being in actual danger. So it can be uncomfortable in terms of how the games were in the 70's, but not updating any uncomfortable factual history information. Also, there are hardly any reviews or ratings on Amazon or Goodreads? Is Amazon just promoting it a lot but not many people are actually reading them? But the mentality here seems to be "I remember these games I thought were fun as a kid!" rather than "I remember history".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-16169901376839974782018-11-15T06:30:27.305-06:002018-11-15T06:30:27.305-06:00Anonymous, in a moment of reflection sometime, you...Anonymous, in a moment of reflection sometime, you might want to ask yourself 1) "Why am I determined to miseducate the children whose minds have been entrusted to me?" and 2) "Why do I feel the need to brag about it?"<br /><br />Jean Mendozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01082939369068823250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-67651398936596209092018-11-14T16:44:54.171-06:002018-11-14T16:44:54.171-06:00Anonymous is painting Debbie as a killjoy and a my...Anonymous is painting Debbie as a killjoy and a myopic bully for standing up for Native children whose stories and histories are damaged by this book. It does not surprise me, but it pains me that a teacher would try to gaslight Debbie and those who agree with her this way. I know that Debbie can take it, but I fear for this teacher's students.Allie Jane Brucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10322238221808680397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-50037003787764094702018-11-14T09:31:22.550-06:002018-11-14T09:31:22.550-06:00My kids loved choose-your-own adventures. And if w...My kids loved choose-your-own adventures. And if we had a book like that, "free land" would have sparked a discussion much like you raise, Debbie. There was never "free" land - and the idea that First People weren't "using it correctly" just irritated us. What is the "right use" of a forest from a bear or salmon's perspective? This is more than academic as we heat up the planet...Sue Heavenrichhttps://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-42766623852395735902018-11-14T08:32:14.232-06:002018-11-14T08:32:14.232-06:00Anon, it wouldn't sound like a textbook becaus...Anon, it wouldn't sound like a textbook because textbooks historically have lied to our children about the history of this country. There are always multiple views of events, but the view/narrative of USA history told in schools thus far has been a racist, colonialist view rooted in misinformation and gaslighting. You're prioritizing and centering your non-Native students when you say this is a "fun" read - how is being a victim of oppression "fun?" To keep celebrating this book would be to prioritize racist "fun" at the cost of the children you are supposed to be teaching in a supportive, respectful environment. If what they love is the "You Choose" element, find different Choose Your Own Adventure books.Elisa Gallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-14135474168650306512018-11-14T04:45:31.893-06:002018-11-14T04:45:31.893-06:00Hmm.... Anon at 8:46 PM on Nov 13: you are a teach...Hmm.... Anon at 8:46 PM on Nov 13: you are a teacher. We expect teachers to provide children with accurate materials about history. Instead of deciding to revisit what you're doing to the kids in your classroom, you're deciding to stay the course. <br /><br />That's too bad, for everyone.Debbie Reesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14972409006633565859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-6574078069345600312018-11-13T20:46:28.146-06:002018-11-13T20:46:28.146-06:00My students love choose your own adventure books a...My students love choose your own adventure books and I will add this to my collection. Your view is not the only way to view history and your edits make it sound more like a textbook than a fun read. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com