I've been thinking about the discussions we had in class (both in Elgin and Wheeling) about the possibility of using the book Encounter, by Jane Yolen, with primary-aged kids as a way to enter into a discussion about Columbus. Some of you said you would consider using it, but many said you thought it would be more appropriate for older students -- 4th or 5th grade at least. One of the reasons that was given was that the illustrations (like the one of Columbus lusting after a piece of gold, above) were too intense and might scare small children.That got me thinking: What about all the scary characters in Disney movies that are targeted for young children? There's almost always a villain, and whoever the villain is, he/she is typically depicted in pretty frightening ways. Yet we don't seem to feel conflicted about taking 6 or 7 year-olds to see these movies.
So why is Encounter different? Are we really concerned that it might scare kids any more than the average Disney film does? Or is the real issue that we feel a tinge of guilt about presenting the "hero" Columbus in less than flattering terms?
15 comments:
I fully agree with you questioning. I would even go to encourage the use of this book with primary students. In primary grades you learn about emotions and feelings, why could you not use this book to explain how the natives felt when the "chief" came onto their land. In third grade I know students start to learn about what does the story tell us? (What does this picture show us?) The comparasion to villian in Disney movies are a great comparision! I think most teachers to not know how to approach the "negativity" towards Columbus' image, so they hid behind the one "scary" picture in the text. I think if this book is brought in with multiple text and conversations that it is appropriate for almost every grade beginning with first grade.
Despite the view that the illustrations might be frightening to young readers/listeners, I stand by my suggestion that Encounter can be used to teach primary elementary school students about the "truth" behind Christopher Columbus and his discovery of the the "New World." I don't think that the illustrations in this book are too intense for younger children. As Greg brought up in the original post, the illustrations of Christopher Columbus as the "villain" in the book are not much worse than the images of villains in Disney movies. The illustrations are just that - illustrations, drawings - and it's not like actual images of Native Americans being burnt alive or having their limbs severed, as we discussed after reading the article from our course packets last class session. There's a huge difference between a cartoon-like villain portrayal and having actual historical imagery and photographs (in the case of more modern events) of gruesomeness.
I definitely think that children can handle the imagery; and furthermore, the portrayal of Columbus this way makes it easier for students to see, without even having the text read to them, how the Jane Yolen (the author) and David Shannon (the illustrator) wish to portray him. Images can certainly take the place of words many times, when used strategically. Shannon's illustrations are meant to exude a certain aura about Columbus, and I think that he does this quite effectively to show Columbus as the "bad guy."
In class I did not think about how in Disney movies there are characters that are bad and how scary they look. By reviewing the picture I see that there isn’t really a difference between a Disney villain and the one in the story. I look at the picture and I see that children would be able to identify the greed and the look of want in the picture. Primary students should not be shut out from this book because of one picture. The overall message and theme of the book is one that should be shared and looked at by children of all ages. If we can start introducing children at a young age to the realities of Christopher Columbus when they get older that picture would not be a shock, as it was to most of the class. I think that since we have been so conditioned to think of Columbus as a hero that seeing this picture was more frightening to us, than it would be to a child in the primary grades who is just learning about him. By thinking more about the realities of what children seen on a daily basis I do not think that the picture would scare them; it would inform them of the truths behind Christopher Columbus.
I agree that Encounter can and should be used in primary grades as well. I think these children will be able to handle this image and others, as like Greg said, it is not very different from the pictures we see in Disney movies or other children's movies. The images in Encounter, I believe, present the truth in a way that is not extremely frightening or graphic to children and provide an outlet for further discussion on the topic. Perhaps the teacher can pair this book with another told from a different perspective, so the children can see the issue from multiple sides. I think teachers are probably scared to use this book because the "hero" is being presented in bad terms, like Greg mentioned. We always hear about Columbus being the hero and this picture completely goes against this. I think Columbus being portrayed as this "villian" type is hard on teachers, because they may believe that there was some good in him, and want to relate this as well to their students. It is important then to discuss what they see in this book, and compare it to another story told from a different perspective. This can segway into teaching about the different sides and perspectives we see on this issue. Young children can be exposed to this from the beginning, and while they may not get as much out of it as a fourth or fifth grader may, they can still understand the basic principles and theme. They can be raised with the ideas of Columbus and the truth about him, and be able to understand the issue of fairness. Just like the example in class of taking someone's water bottle or another possession and claiming it as their own, children can relate to this and then relate this to the book and the entire Columbus issue.
I was never against using the book Encounter, written by Jane Yolen, with primary-aged kids as a way to enter into a discussion about Columbus. Not only Disney movies, but regular T.V. shows and other early children's literature portrays villains and monsters. I think some people/educators underestimate what children can handle. I also think that if teachers are educated about the Columbus topic themselves, then they should not feel as guilty about presenting him in a truthful and/or different than usual manner.
However, I could understand how someone could be ashamed of living in a place where a lot of people honor Columbus and gave him his own holiday when people today do not have a choice. I believe that these conflicting views of Columbus are good for children to be exposed to, because it can teach them to not always accept everything and to take action if necessary. It is important for children to see other peoples perspectives, especially when they're different from their own.
I understand how some may believe that children at the age of 6 and 7 are allowed to watch Disney movies with scary depicted characters, so introducing them to the book Encounter would be no different that watching the movies. Although this may be true, there are still some parents (I know of only a handful) who are very over-protective of their children and do not let them watch Disney movies for this very reason. This may be seen as an extreme; however, reading a book like this to children who may not have been exposed to these "frightening" images may cause them to be very afraid. Instead, I think that educators should hold off for a few years until about 3rd grade when they children may be able to handle more frigtening images. I believe that there may be other avenues to discuss Christopher Columbus and many other good books that a teacher could read to introduce the true story. Some of the songs we listened to in class were even appropriate for younger children, and the information is introduced in a very child-friendly way.
I most definitely agree, as it seems most people who posted do, that this book can and should be used in primary classrooms. I think it is ridiculous to claim that this one illustration is too scary and for that reason it should not be used. It is apparent that teaching who the "real" Columbus was is something that too many teachers are too scared to teach. I think they are just making excuses for themselves being stuck in a rut and not trying to change the untrue things we teach our students as being the truth.
That being said, I can definitely see how it would be difficult to teach the truth about Columbus without the support of other grade level teachers. Ideally, teachers at every grade level would agree to begin teaching the truth about Columbus and the student would have continuity in his or her education... Like I said.. Ideal, but probable? I don't think so... Oh well, I guess you can only change the world one person at a time right? Maybe if we all bring this book into our classrooms eventually it can become a norm...
I agree with everyone else that I would use this book in my class even if the illustrations may be “scary”. Kids today are exposed too much worse than the pictures in this book. However, I think that maybe we, as a younger generation, are more open to introducing new ideas and books to inform our students of the realities that are not always talked about. I wonder if we posed this same question to some teachers who have been teaching for many years, if they would have the same feelings that we do. Encounter was published in 1992. Most of us were in 2nd or 3rd grade at that time. Were our elementary teachers aware that books like this were available? Did they avoid the subject?
Also, is our openness and willingness to bring other views into the classroom because of our want to expose students to as much as possible? Is it because we feel like we need to make up for what we were not taught as kids? I suppose it is different for everyone, but why is it different now?
I think this book could be presented at the primary level with the right pre-discussion. Students have HUGE imaginations, and if given the chance, I think a lot of them could honestly develop a much scarier villain than Jane Yolen's illustration of Columbus. Before reading, maybe talk about the fact that the Natives were scared of Columbus. Help them to place themselves in the position of the Natives, and ask, "How would YOU feel if a stranger came to your home? How are YOU picturing Columbus?" Students could even draw what they are picturing in their mind. That way, when you get to that part of the book, you can discuss, "Well this is a little bit frightening, but this may be how the Natives pictured Columbus. He was a stranger. Does this picture look anything like what you drew?" I think this discussion would give them more of an explanation. This is WHY the picture looks like that, rather than "Look how scary this is."
VERY interesting point Greg. I guess I never thought about that before. I know full well (as I'm sure anyone who's ever babysat a young child and watched a Disney movie) that the villians in the movies are just as scary looking if not more so than the pictures in Encounter and the children are indeed scared of them. I babysit for a girl who's favorite movie is Little Mermaid and will watch it over and over again but REFUSES to watch any scene with Ursela. I can imagine her reading Encounter and wanting to skip that page. This got me thinking, if many kids do indeed get scared and refuse to watch the villian scenes in Disney movies, then there is also a good chance that they would also skip over the scary parts of the story. In doing this, children might lose the entire meaning of that aspect of the story to begin with, that Columbus is not necessarily the wonderful man history has made him out to be.
I fully agree with why Greg is questioning this situation. When we were discussing this book in class I immediately thought this book was too scary for young children. That one particular picture of Columbus lusting after gold is kind of scary to me. We build up Columbus as to be this hero and I bet if I showed anyone, not just a first grader, that no one would know that is Columbus. If we want to start teaching children the truth about Columbus then why wait to fourth or firth grade to read them this book. I did not get a chance to read the book but it seems like a wonderful picture book. If you are going to start teaching younger students the truth about Columbus you need to do it through picture books to keep them engaged. I do think that young children will be able to handle being read Encounter because of all the scary Disney movies that are out. Even in my first grade class they are talking about how they watch scary movies on the weekends. If the parents are allowing them to see scary movies that are beyond Disney then what is the harm if they see a picture of Columbus being greedy?
At first, my reaction to this book being used in a primary class was, NO! After the long discussion we had on it and all the posts on here, I could go either way. I am still not convinced it can be used in the lowest levels because it really is scary. Even some Disney movies frighten some children to tears (I know this from experience with the Aladdin movie!). I can see why teachers would decide NOT to use the book. In primary levels, teachers are trying to teach children that books are resources that you learn facts from. If you then tell a child that Columbus was not such a hero afterall, some students may lose faith in books and not like reading anymore. They may react by saying books don't give you the truth, so why read them? Why learn facts that are not true?
I can also see teachers not using this book because of the reactions children might tell their parents when they go home after witnessing the pictures. The teacher would have many phone calls from concerned parents. But, maybe this wouldn't happen. If the teacher is knowledgeable about what her students need and can prepare them for such a story, I see no reason a teacher would NOT use this book. There are two sides to this and I could go either way. Whatever decision a teacher makes about using this book, there is going to be consequences. Students are going to learn about peoples' different perspectives sooner or later. It is the teacher's expertise and knowledge of her students that permits her to use this book at an appropriate time.
All very great points. Just as Amber said, at first I thought I would not introduce the book, Encounter, to the primary grades. I did notice that the pictures were a little bit scary. However, that is a great point in how most children today are used to seeing such graphics in movies or television shows. My nephew, who is in first grade, constantly watches cartoon network. At times, I watch with him and I do notice that some of the characters can tend to be scary. One is of a grim reaper from the show, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. My nephew is used to seeing this character and is not scared of him. So what is the difference of him being able to see these characters in school? I would take great planning and preparation into such a lesson for the primary students. I could see many of the students going home and saying to their parents that the teacher showed a scary book in class today. So I would probably before hand send home a letter informing parents what to expect with the Columbus lesson. It is truly beneficial to experience children to new and diverse subjects especially at young ages.
I agree with what everyone has been saying. I see both sides of this argument. Rachel brought up a very interesting point having to agree to teach this book with cooperating teachers in your team. I think it is very important to have support and collaborate when teaching a book that might be iffy in some eyes.
I thought Greg has a very good point by bringing up the fact that Disney movie villans are just as if not more scary than this one picture in the book Encounter. When we were having the class discussion about using this book, I thought about using it in the second grade classroom I am in now, and I think my students are capable of hearing this story and seeing the pictures. As we have said in class, this book is a great depiction of the other side of this story. On the same note, tomorrow I am teaching a lesson on the book, The TRUE Story of The Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieska, which is the story told through the eyes of the wolf. In the book the pigs are shown as the bad guys, and in a few pictures the eyes of the 'nice, cute' little pigs are pretty scary and evil looking. I showed this to my mentor teacher and she gave me the go ahead, because after our class discussion I just wanted to make sure I would not start a controversy in sharing with the students the other side of this famous tale. I am hoping that this lesson will be a success, and that this will open their eyes to viewing things from two perspectives. I will have to keep everyone posted on the outcome.
But I think that yes it is okay to share the book encounter in younger grade levels.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs is a great book and an excellent way to introduce the idea of multiple points of view with young kids. I'll be interested to see how your lesson goes, Michelle.
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