Re: Pocahontas

[Madeline Buchanan <mlbuchan@SCOTT.NET>]

Knowing that my summer school students would see the movie, I did a lesson
on Pocahontas the week before it came out.  We discussed the life of the
real Pocahontas and the role that John Smith played in her life.  We used a
map to locate Eastern Virginia and England and gave reasons that the
English had for settling in the United States.  As a read the Golden Book
Disney story to the students, I pointed out parallels in the movie and
Pocahontas's real life.  After I read the book, I told the students how
Pocahontas acted as a liaison between the English and Native Americans and
let them know how she spent the rest of her life.

Instead of putting down a movie that may not factually represent the life
of a well-known Native American, I used it as a base for the lesson.  These
students are in kindergarten through fifth grade and unfortunally, in a
30-minute library period, we did not have the time to do actual research on
Pocahontas.  And I do agree that the movie is not for young children.  But
when it comes out on video, I can see it being played in classrooms over
and over again.

Did anyone see the documentary of the life of Pocahontas on the Arts and
Entertainment network?  This gives an accurate account of her life without
all of the Disney glitz.


     Madeline L. Buchanan            Barrett Elementary School
     Library Media Specialist        Birmingham, Alabama
     mlbuchan@scott.net              (205) 838-7644
     dems105@uabdpo.dpo.uab.edu

     Exercise develops your body.  Reading develops your mind.