The primary purpose of this unit is to delve into the vast array of Latino cultural influences throughout history, with a focus on three significant periods: Mayan civilization, the Mexican Revolution, and present-day agricultural practices influenced by indigenous populations in America. These touchpoints within the curriculum serve to illuminate broader questions about the impact of Central and South American culture and history on students and families in North America……Continue Reading Exploring Hispanic Cultures through Time: Mayan Glyphs, the Mexican Revolution, and Indigenous Agrarian Wisdom
Curriculum Units
Independent Projects and Book Studies as a Portal Into the Indigenous and Latino Past, Present, and Future
This curricular unit is designed for use at Street School, an alternative school in Oklahoma. The unit uses independent projects and book studies to help students learn about Indigenous and Latino history and culture in the United States and in the world beyond. It also allows students to explore and appreciate the present and future of Indigenous and Latino people. The independent projects are an opportunity for students to learn and refine research skills on projects, the subjects of which are chosen by themselves……Continue Reading Independent Projects and Book Studies as a Portal Into the Indigenous and Latino Past, Present, and Future
Impact of Horses on the Plains Native Americans
This unitwill explain how horses entered the Plains Native American culture many years ago. Native peoples traditionally regarded animals in their lives as fellow creatures with which they shared a common destiny. Horses and the Native Americans together played a significant part in American history. For many Plains groups, horses changed nearly every aspect of their life. Specifically, this unit will focus on the impact horses had on the Plains Native American power, warfare, bison hunting and their involvement in Westward Expansion. An extension activity in the curricular area of science will be incorporated……Continue Reading Impact of Horses on the Plains Native Americans
Timelines in Art and History: The Rise and Fall of Central and South American Empires
Tina Berry Imagine this: you are on a ship and spot land, a new land that your people have never seen. There is strange vegetation and people on the shore with faces like none you have ever seen. Upon meeting these natives, you realize they are poorly clothed, use ridiculous agricultural practices, and do not…Continue Reading Timelines in Art and History: The Rise and Fall of Central and South American Empires
Teaching Literacy through Native American Literature
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
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