The Crossing
Freshmen English students at Cienega High School read The Crossing and discussed the book both in class and online. Border issues were a hot topic. After posting individual responses, the students posted class responses.
They also responded to a college student's question about the difference between the U.S.-Mexico border and the U.S.-Canada border. The class had a heated debate on this topic and did not arrive at consensus.
5th Period
Reese feels like the border control needs to be another branch of the U. S. military. For example, put up a cement wall, about 8 feet wide, so that border control can walk on top of the wall. Cesar would like for there to be more places along the border where you can legally cross because when his family goes to visit they often have to wait more than an hour. Isaac feels like those immigrants who need money for their families should be allowed to cross and work. Harrison thinks the border should stay open but that people should be given a test in order to cross. Jeffery agrees and thinks the test should include political questions, about 10 questions; for example, who is the vice-president, etc.? Ms. Rogers questioned the class about who the Vice-President is and less than half of the students could not answer, so is that fair?Cesar's dad feels like if immigrants are caught by the border patrol they should be given an opportunity to work and earn money for their families and the return trip. Brittney thinks that people should have to pass a test, but more like a driving test or a final test. For example, like a world history final. Sarah wants the border to be closed but wants to create a charity that helps rebuild the Mexican society. Jeffrey wonders if anyone would be able to pass a 50 question test. Isaac believes that people should make donations to Mexico because they are so poor. For example, clothes, money and food so that they won't cross the border.
4th Period
Miguel feels like we do not have as many problems with the Canadian border as we do with the Mexican border. For example, drug smuggling and deaths. Trevor states that we did not read a book about the Canadian border but rather the Mexican border. Daniel believes that it is a result of where we are located, Arizona, because people in Washington state are probably more concerned with the Canadian border. Chase feels like most of the people in Mexico know how to speak English as well as Spanish so we do not need to learn Spanish. Miguel points out that the size of the Latino population in 2020 is only a prediction.
5th Period
Michael G. believes that Canada actually has a military along its border. Sarah questions whether the border along Canada or Mexico is longer, so wouldn't Canada have more problems? Jeffrey states that Canada is not a big threat because their society is more stable and he believes that more drugs come from Mexico then Canada. Isaac wants to know are more Canadians or Mexicans crossing the border? Michael G. thinks that we don't worry about the Canadian border because we live in Arizona and the Mexican border is a more pressing issue for us.
