You will be held accountable for today’s Paideia discussion by submitting the follow-up writing task to your social studies teacher for an informal grade.

Background: One of the unique aspects of American society is the way in which the United States has always attracted people from around the world. In fact, America has been a nation of immigrants since its inception. For many years, our nation was referred to by both scholars and citizens as a “melting pot,” where immigrants perhaps shed the characteristics of their native cultures in exchange for a new and distinctly “American” culture. Since the Civil Rights Movement, however, the “melting pot” metaphor has fallen out of favor, in exchange for that of a “salad bowl” where each “ingredient” (or individual / group) remains a distinct, separate element, while still blending together for a healthy, more multicultural “America.” In this seminar, we will read two texts that ask us to consider the idea of America as a melting pot or salad bowl and whether or not either is an appropriate metaphor.

Discussion Questions: a.Which word, phrase, or line in the poem stood out to you the most? (Round Robin) b.Why? c.Who is the speaker in this poem (and how do you know)? d.What is the speaker’s attitude (or tone) in the poem (and how do you know)? e.Who is the speaker’s target audience (and how do you know)? f.What do you believe is Pat Mora’s message to the reader of this poem (and how do you know)?

Discussion Questions: a.Identify one bullet point on each side of the debate that stood out to you the most. b.Why? c.Which bullet point(s) do you think would stand out the most to the speaker in the poem? d.Why? e.What might the speaker of the poem say to the debate class if given the opportunity?

Closing Question: How does our understanding of these two texts and our seminar discussion today impact our perception of America? Of Community House? Of ourselves?

Writing Task: (Remember: The following writing task will be submitted to your social studies teacher for an informal grade at the beginning of your next social studies class.) In an extended response paragraph, explain what you would say to the high school debate class if given the opportunity. Is EITHER metaphor (“melting pot” or “salad bowl”) an appropriate one for America and why? Make sure to reference the texts, as well as the contributions of your classmates, in your response.