In Retrospect

In retrospective, the Molina dancers should have retained the Zoot Suit component even if  they could not afford to rent costumes for the performance. Some of the seniors at Molina High School prefer to wear zoot suits over the traditional tuxedo to the prom each year. Clothes would have provided a bridge to an important episode in Hispanic history in the US as well as meaningful discussions on the symbolism of clothes then and now?  The door might have opened far enough to include issues of discrimination into the discussion.

Without it the emotional hook the project failed to generate the electricity to drive the students into a deeper investigation beyond surface knowledge.  I failed to anticipate the direction the project would take following the adjustments that became necessary. 

 In a school that is 88.1% it was disappointing that we failed to gain a deeper understanding of the big idea, "What does it mean to be Hispanic in the US?"

Based on the brain based educational research conducted by Renae Nummela Caine and Geoffrey Caine, the project that resulted would be classified as  Instructional Approach 1 with teaching objectives that focus on the information, facts, and skills. We clearly failed to connect with the subject of the Hispanics experience in the US.  Articles and books published by Renae Nummela Caine and Geoffrey Caine are posted at the end of the page for your information.

Based on Banks' Multicultural Curriculum the project failed to reach the Transformation Approach where students look at important issues and themes from a variety of different perspectives. Although the project presented a global perspective, it would best be categorized in the lowest level the Contribution Approach.