Thread: Teachers tie immigration issues into lessons

The illegals are looking for a better life, but at the expense of the legal citizen.

They are catered to on many levels as our own citizens struggle and suffer and fall through the cracks.

Our Country is changing to suit 'them' and ignores the plight of the law abiding citizens.

Our government is a lot like a company that gives the best deal to the "new" customers" and makes the "old" captive customers that have a contract pay for it.

You all have made great points! I look forward to hearing Ms. Neathery's response.

Originally Posted by Neathery

Teachers opinions are never a part of a lesson

I don't believe that.

Additional, correct grammar would be Teacher's opinions (singular possessive) or Teachers' opinions (plural possessive).

Dixie

Sounds like these kids need a civics lesson to go along with their bleeding heart sociology lesson.

Originally Posted by Kiara

"My kids have learned that immigration is not a new problem that we have, it's a longtime problem."

With all due respect, it is ILLEGAL immigration that is the problem. Thousands of people have died because of illegals who have had previous arrests and deportations and our laws not being enforced.

Millions of citizens are without jobs and it is a myth that illegals are only taking the jobs that citizens won't do.

Illegal immigration is a huge problem on so many levels.

You aways hear about the poor illegal who only wants a better life, yet those 'poor' illegals paid quite a bit of money for thier stolen identities and fake documents.

Citizens now have to speak a foreign language (spanish) for many jobs in order to get hired and provide for their families.

Many illegals are on welfare and have free health coverage while I have cancer and have none!

I could go on and on about their deciet as I have known illegals personally, but I will end here.

Well said Kiara

Originally Posted by Neathery

I am sorry that you believe that teachers should not be able to address the concerns of our children. It definitely is a hot topic for 5th graders to discuss, but when the news puts it out there society must realize that citizens across the country regardless of age will have some point of view on the subject matter. I, being the teacher of this article, felt that it was an amazing lesson in which students were able to provide their beliefs and state their position on the issue in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Teachers opinions are never a part of a lesson, but creating an environment that is conducive for safe learning and sharing is a part of every lesson.

I came upon this article when I decided to search myself via Google. Since Immigration is still a hot topic, I wonder what my 2005 students think now? Let's see they're in 10th grade and have been exposed to multiple teacher's, family, friends, and societies point of views. How have their views changed over the years?

Respecting your profession as that of a school teacher, and myself being a former school director, Iwould suggest that you thoroughly review actual legal immigration in this country and especially how differently it was viewed and addressed 100 years ago by Theodore Roosevelt

The key factors that legal immigrants need to participate in are as follows:

Assimilate
Speak the English language
Respect the flag of this country

This was advocated 100 years ago and it should be advocated today. If you can't conform, go back to where you came from......period. You don't belong in my country and should never be allowed to stay here.....legal or illegal.

Originally Posted by Neathery

I am sorry that you believe that teachers should not be able to address the concerns of our children. It definitely is a hot topic for 5th graders to discuss, but when the news puts it out there society must realize that citizens across the country regardless of age will have some point of view on the subject matter. I, being the teacher of this article, felt that it was an amazing lesson in which students were able to provide their beliefs and state their position on the issue in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Teachers opinions are never a part of a lesson, but creating an environment that is conducive for safe learning and sharing is a part of every lesson.

I came upon this article when I decided to search myself via Google. Since Immigration is still a hot topic, I wonder what my 2005 students think now? Let's see they're in 10th grade and have been exposed to multiple teacher's, family, friends, and societies point of views. How have their views changed over the years?

Did you also explain the difference between legal and illegal immigration and the impact that illegal immigration has on the receiving society. I believe I speak for many on this board when I say that many newspaper articles and blogs we read fail to differential between legal and illegal and that is our complaint.

Teachers if they are going to teach about immigration need to stress legal versus illegal immigration, the fact that illegals are CRIMINALS and have broken the law. If your going to open the can of worms then you have to tell the whole story.

In Anna Neathery's fifth-grade class at Avalon Elementary School, a charter school in Apache Junction, pupil have talked at length about the immigration issue and related it to their unit on colonial America. Neathery said they discovered that immigration problems are not specific to this millennium.

"What they've learned is that if their ancestors hadn't come here by boat or walked here, they wouldn't be here," Neathery said. "It doesn't affect just the Hispanic children, it affects everybody involved. My kids have learned that immigration is not a new problem that we have, it's a longtime problem."

Who did they "learn" that from? Are you seriously teaching these kids that illegal aliens invading our country and overstaying their visas are like the explorers, warriors, settlers and founders who developed this nation??!! Are you really comparing the Pilgrims to illegal aliens in your "unit on colonial America"?

You ask today 5 years later what your students then think about your class now? Well, I'm sure they're thinking "Wow, did Neathery get it wrong or what?!"