Unique Tlingit Curriculum Series Produced (fwd)

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Unique Tlingit Curriculum Series Produced

July 04, 2007
Wednesday
http://www.sitnews.us/0707news/070407/070407_series.html

Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) has produced a unique collection of
Tlingit curriculum and distributed it to every school district in Southeast
Alaska, in hopes of weaving more Native lessons into the public school
system.

The curriculum, co-produced by the Juneau School District, is unique because
it's the first Tlingit language and culture curriculum done on a broad scale
that meets state academic and cultural standards.

The curriculum was distributed in hardcopy binders, some of which include
CDs with computer games and audio of Tlingit words and songs. The 18-unit
series of culture and language lessons also is posted online at
www.sealaskaheritage.org.

The audio CDs are meant to encourage correct pronunciation of Tlingit
language components. The interactive vocabulary games are an effort to make
language learning fun, and to reach students through technology, said SHI
President Rosita Worl.

"In the past children just had text," Worl said. "But today we know children
are watching TV, they're listening to CDs, so we've tried to build on all of
the approaches that children are utilizing to learn today."

The curriculum was developed and field tested by primary teachers from the
Juneau School District and SHI language specialists. Although the series
was intended for the primary grades, it can be easily adapted for teachers
of higher grade levels," Worl said.

"The most important thing is this curriculum, I think, is going to lead to
better academic achievement for our students, both Native students and
non-Native students, because it really builds on the environment of
Southeast Alaska," Worl said.

The audio of Tlingit was recorded by fluent Tlingit Elders John Marks and
June Pegues. The songs were performed by Nancy Douglas and George Holly.
The lessons were written by a team of teachers and specialists led by Nancy
Douglas, Elementary Cultural Curriculum Coordinator, Juneau School District.
The team included Juneau teachers Kitty Eddy, Shgen George, Kathy Nielson,
Hans Chester and Rocky Eddy, and SHI language team members Linda Belarde,
Yarrow Vaara, David Katzeek, John Marks, Mary Foletti, Rose Natkong and
Jessica Chester. Curriculum consultants Julie Folta and Toni Mallott
assisted and Annie Calkins edited and evaluated the lessons and units.
Lessons were field tested in Juneau classrooms in 2005 and 2006.

Teachers who want to use the hardcopy materials are encouraged by Sealaska
Heritage Institute (SHI) to contact their superintendents or district
curriculum libraries.

The three-year project was funded by two grants from the U.S. Department of
Education. SHI plans to release a similar set of curriculum for the Haida
language and culture.

The curriculum includes units and resources on the following topics:

    01. Elizabeth Peratrovich
    02. Hooligan
    03. Spruce Trees
    04. Totem Poles
    05. Canoes
    06. Herring
    07. Hemlock
    08. Yellow and Red Cedar
    09. Alder and Cottonwood
    10. Plants
    11. Salmon
    12. Who Am I?
    13. Berries
    14. Sea Mammals
    15. How Raven Stole the Sun
    16. Tale of an Alaska Whale
    17. The Girl Who Lived with the Bears
    18. The Beach

Sealaska Heritage Institute is a Native nonprofit established in 1981 to
administer educational and cultural programs for Sealaska, a regional
Native corporation formed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
The institute's mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and
Tsimshian cultures. Language revitalization is a priority of SHI.

On the Web:

    The 18-unit series of culture and language lessons
    www.sealaskaheritage.org.

Source of News:

    Sealaska Heritage Institute
    www.sealaskaheritage.org