Imbolc: Colonization & Encounter
The encounter between worlds brought conquest, slavery, and suffering—but also resistance, resilience, and the birth of new cultures. We face this difficult history honestly.
UU Principle Focus
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Understand the Spanish conquest and colonial systems
- • Study the Atlantic slave trade with honesty and compassion
- • Explore indigenous resistance and cultural resilience
- • Master angle relationships and the Pythagorean Theorem
- • Understand genetics: DNA, heredity, Punnett squares
- • Connect Imbolc themes of light emerging from darkness to historical resilience
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Spanish Conquest of the Americas
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The conquistadors destroyed great civilizations. How do we reckon with the violence in our history? What do we owe to those who were harmed? (2nd Principle)
📚 Language Arts
Study the Spanish conquest: Cortés and the Aztecs, Pizarro and the Inca. Read multiple perspectives. Write about the ethics of conquest.
📐 Math: Geometry
Angles and angle relationships. Complementary, supplementary, vertical angles.
🧬 Science: Genetics
Introduction to genetics. DNA, genes, chromosomes. The blueprint of life.
✏️ Form Drawing
Aztec and Inca geometric patterns
🧶 Handwork
Begin Imbolc crafts; Brigid's crosses
📖 Story
The Fall of the Aztec Empire
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Spanish Conquest
- DNA and Genetics
Shows:
- Conquistadors
Audio:
- Aztec history
Week 2: Colonial Systems
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Colonial systems exploited indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans. How do systems of oppression develop? How do we dismantle them?
📚 Language Arts
Study colonial systems: encomienda, slavery, the plantation system. Read testimonies. Write about resistance and resilience.
📐 Math: Geometry
Triangles: classifying by sides and angles. Triangle angle sum theorem.
🧬 Science: Genetics
Heredity: how traits are passed from parents to offspring. Dominant and recessive traits.
✏️ Form Drawing
Colonial-era maps and illustrations
🧶 Handwork
Continue Brigid's crosses; candle making
📖 Story
Bartolomé de las Casas: Defender of the Indians
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Colonial America
- Heredity Explained
Shows:
- Slavery and the Making of America
Audio:
- Colonial history
Week 3: The Atlantic Slave Trade
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The slave trade was one of history's greatest crimes against humanity. How do we honor those who suffered? How do we work toward healing? (1st Principle)
📚 Language Arts
Study the Atlantic slave trade: the Middle Passage, resistance, the human cost. Read narratives. Write about remembrance and justice.
📐 Math: Geometry
Pythagorean Theorem introduction. Right triangles. Finding missing sides.
🧬 Science: Genetics
Punnett squares: predicting offspring traits. Probability in genetics.
✏️ Form Drawing
African textile patterns and symbols
🧶 Handwork
Create memorial art; prepare Imbolc altar
📖 Story
Voices from the Middle Passage
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Atlantic Slave Trade
- Punnett Squares
Shows:
- Africans in America
Audio:
- Slave narratives
Week 4: Indigenous Resistance
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Indigenous peoples resisted colonization in many ways. What forms can resistance take? How do people maintain identity under oppression?
📚 Language Arts
Study indigenous resistance: rebellions, cultural preservation, adaptation. Research one resistance movement. Write about resilience.
📐 Math: Geometry
Pythagorean Theorem applications. Distance formula. Real-world problems.
🧬 Science: Genetics
Genetic variation: mutations, sexual reproduction, diversity. Why variation matters.
✏️ Form Drawing
Indigenous resistance symbols and art
🧶 Handwork
Seed blessing preparations; spring planting plans
📖 Story
Resistance: From Tupac Amaru to the Pueblo Revolt
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Indigenous Resistance
- Genetic Variation
Shows:
- 500 Nations
Audio:
- Indigenous history
Week 5: Cultural Exchange and Syncretism
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Despite violence, cultures blended and new traditions emerged. How do cultures influence each other? What is lost and gained in cultural mixing?
📚 Language Arts
Study cultural syncretism: religion, food, music, art. How did cultures blend in the Americas? Write about cultural identity.
📐 Math: Geometry
Special right triangles: 45-45-90 and 30-60-90. Patterns and shortcuts.
🧬 Science: Genetics
Genetic disorders and genetic counseling. When genes don't work as expected.
✏️ Form Drawing
Syncretic art combining multiple traditions
🧶 Handwork
Create art blending cultural traditions; Imbolc preparations
📖 Story
The Birth of New Cultures in the Americas
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Cultural Syncretism
- Genetic Disorders
Shows:
- Latin America History
Audio:
- Cultural history
Week 6: The Encounter's Legacy
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The encounter between worlds created the modern world—with all its beauty and injustice. How do we live with complicated legacies?
📚 Language Arts
Write a reflection on the legacy of colonization. What should we remember? What should we change? Complete colonization projects.
📐 Math: Geometry
Review geometry concepts. Angle relationships, triangles, Pythagorean Theorem.
🧬 Science: Genetics
Review genetics. Create a presentation on a genetics topic of choice.
✏️ Form Drawing
Designs reflecting on encounter and legacy
🧶 Handwork
Complete Imbolc crafts; blessing of seeds
📖 Story
Living with History: The Encounter's Legacy
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Colonial Legacy
- Genetics Review
Shows:
- The Story of Us
Audio:
- History reflection
Week 7: Imbolc: New Light from Darkness
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Imbolc celebrates light returning after darkness. From the darkness of colonization, new cultures and resistance movements emerged. Where do you see light emerging from darkness?
📚 Language Arts
Write about hope and renewal. How do people find light in dark times? Poetry about resilience and new beginnings.
📐 Math: Geometry
Assessment and review. Geometry applications project.
🧬 Science: Genetics
Genetics project presentations. Peer review and discussion.
✏️ Form Drawing
Brigid's cross designs; light emerging from darkness
🧶 Handwork
Complete Imbolc altar; blessing ceremony
📖 Story
Brigid: Goddess and Saint of the Flame
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Imbolc Traditions
- Genetics Documentary
Shows:
- Hope and Resilience
Audio:
- Stories of renewal
🕯️ Imbolc Celebration
- 🟡 Create Brigid's crosses from straw or paper
- 🟡 Light candles to welcome returning light
- 🟡 Bless seeds for spring planting
- 🟡 Share genetics presentations
- 🟡 Reflect on resilience, hope, and new beginnings
- 🟡 Honor those who resisted oppression