I am writing this curriculum unit to create a meaningful approach for the introduction of Native American Literature to my 6th grade multilingual (ML) students. There are enormous pedagogical benefits from choosing books for their classrooms that are tribally specific (that name a specific tribal nation and accurately represent that nation), written by Native writers, and set in the present day……Continue Reading Teaching Literacy through Native American Literature
Seminar: Indigenous Literatures
The Iroquois Confederacy and its Influence on American Democracy
This curriculum unit examines the history and governance of the Iroquois (or Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, focusing on their material culture and resilient political system. The unit also highlights the Confederacy’s influence on early American democratic ideals and governance structures. Through engaging activities, role-play simulations, and discussions, students will delve into Haudenosaunee culture and political philosophy while examining principles of natural rights and the social contract as expressed by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke……Continue Reading The Iroquois Confederacy and its Influence on American Democracy
Exploring Tradition: A Māori Culture Journey Alongside The Whale Rider
This 3-4 week curriculum unit for my freshman English class will be supplemental to the study of the novel The Whale Rider (1987) by Witi Ihimaera. My goals for this unit are two-fold: first, I will teach students about Māori culture to provide context for them to understand the book better; second, I will use this novel as a case study for exploring the relationship between individual identity and community tradition……Continue Reading Exploring Tradition: A Māori Culture Journey Alongside The Whale Rider
Indigenous Igbo Culture in Things Fall Apart: An Anthropological Approach
This unit aims to have students have a creative way to answer their own questions about this culture by having them approach this novel through an anthropological lens. Instead of focusing on literary techniques, students will take control of their learning by creating an ethnographic field guide of Igbo culture and a map of Umuofia as they learn about this Indigenous community before the colonizers come to disrupt our learning. Students will recognize the importance of what Achebe shows them about Igbo culture……Continue Reading Indigenous Igbo Culture in Things Fall Apart: An Anthropological Approach