Farmworkers as seen through the eyes of children, is part of TUSD’s Mexican American Studies curriculum. The lesson plan is intended for primary grades, K-3.
This material was turned over by the district to the state, in a Discovery Request, as part of the district’s appeal of Huppenthal’s finding. It was found in a file marked, “elementary.” TUSD’s Superintendent Dr. John Pedicone, testified that the district has not made any changes to the classes since before the finding by Superintendent Huppenthal that the classes violate state law.
This unit was developed by a former Tucson Education Association administrators.
“The major theme in this role-playing story: “Standing like soldier,” is to allow students to experience children like themselves having to work in the fields (Child Labor Laws). The teacher tells the students that since they have learned about Caesar Chavez and the farmworkers lives in the field that today they will be farmworkers. With kindergarten and first grade students the teacher tells the story while the students are role playing the parts.”
One lesson requires students to “get up and imagine they were Caesar working in the fields. Have them bend over to pick the vegetables off the floor. Do this for about 5-8 minutes. Most likely after about 2 minutes you will have the students wanting to stop.”
It then instructs the teacher to ask the following questions:
How did your body feel while doing that?
You only did that for a few minutes. Imagine doing that from sun up to sun down.
