Tlingit curriculum employs technology in classroom (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Tlingit curriculum employs technology in classroom

(Published: July 29, 2007)
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/9173974p-9090480c.html

Every public school district in Southeast Alaska has been provided with a
new tool to teach the Tlingit language at a time when the number of fluent
speakers is dwindling.

The first broad Tlingit language and culture curriculum was co-produced by
Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Juneau School District.

"It's designed to put resources in the hands of teachers who aren't
necessarily cultural experts or language teachers so they can learn along
with their students," said Yarrow Vaara, Tlingit language specialist for
the institute.

The curriculum uses technology to help engage the students in learning,
Vaara said. Along with binders of text covering the 18 units, audio
components and interactive vocabulary games are included.

"This curriculum has a particular language focus that is unique that is also
addressing the academic standards," she said. "We're merging technology with
the different focuses, too."

The curriculum is the result of a three-year project funded by two grants
from the U.S. Department of Education. The lessons were field-tested by
several Juneau teachers in 2005 and 2006 prior to being sent to other
school districts.

Vaara said the district's Tlingit immersion program spawned the project.

"We quickly realized that in order for that to be a successful program, they
needed the resources and materials to use in the classroom," she said. "Just
because someone can speak Tlingit doesn't mean they can teach it."

The curriculum is designed for beginning speakers and aimed at kindergarten
to second grade but can be used as a tool to teach any age.

-- The Associated Press