Indian, not Native American!

In our Mohawk Valley, the name "Indian" usually suggests the Native Americans who once lived here. We often forget that early European explorers were seeking trade routes to Asia and mistakenly assumed they had encountered the peoples of India. The 2nd grade had a chance to learn about India and true "Indian" people.

Mrs. Shankar presented Ramayan, Story Of Rama (A celebration of Diwali) to our 2nd Grade students during their study of India! Mrs. Shankar is a 2nd grade Special Education teacher in our building. Ramayan is an Indian book that traces the journey of Lord Rama. Diwali is the Indian Festival of Lights commemorating Lord Rama's victory over evil - a celebration of light overcoming darkness.

Mrs. Shankar explained Ramayan using a PowerPoint presentation. She also displayed clothes and artifacts from India. The culminating activity was an art project where students were able to make their own "Festival Light" by painting a small clay pot and putting a candle in it.