CHARACTER EDUCATION LESSON: FEBRUARY 2014 An Appreciation of Culture

Chief Joseph Joseph was chief of the Nez Perce, a Native American tribe in Northwest Oregon. In 1877, the Nez Perce were ordered to a reservation, but refused to go. Chief Joseph tried to lead 800 of his people to Canada. They fought the US Army along the 1100 mile jouney. Just 45 miles from Canada, after a five day fight, the remaining 431 Nez Perce were beaten.

Young & Old Chief Joseph

Surrender Speech by Chief Joseph “I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Toohulhusote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led the young men is dead. It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills and have no blankets, no food. No one knows who they are- perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs. I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.” Adapted from:

Jaime Escalante Jaime is a Latino teacher. He changed the lives of Latino students in poor neighborhoods in Los Angeles. When he first came to Garfield High School, many of his students were failing. Escalante fought for better textbooks and inspired his students to succeed by setting high standards. The movie Stand and Deliver is about how his students proved they could succeed by passing a very difficult math test before college. Adapted from:

Jaime Escalante

Dr. Feng Shan Ho Dr. Feng Shan Ho single-handedly saved thousands of Austrian Jews during the Holocaust. When Dr. Ho arrived in Vienna in 1937 as a Chinese diplomat, Austria had the 3 rd largest Jewish community in Europe. One year later, the Nazis took over Austria and began persecuting Jews. They tried to flee, but had no where to go, because most nations would not accept Jewish refugees. Many survived thanks to Dr. Ho. He went against his boss’ orders and began issuing Jews visas to Shanghai, China. This allowed thousands of Jews to leave Austria and escape death. Dr. Ho died in 1997, an unknown hero of World War II. Adapted from:

Dr. Feng Shan Ho

February is National Black History Month National Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the role of African Americans in U.S. history. Jackie Robinson plays a pivotal role in American history. Watch this short video clip of his courage and accomplishments.

Jackie Robinson Click here to go to History channel video (There will be a short advertisement before the video starts)

Humanity We are all alike in so many ways. We are all part of the human race. We can think and articulate thoughts. We have hearts and minds, ideas, and rights. We should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. The Navajo Indians have a saying, “We are all members of the Five-Fingered People” … the human race.

Celebrate Humanity No matter the differences… the color of our skin, the language we speak, the beliefs we have, the country our ancestors came from, show respect for everyone. Celebrate our differences and similarities.