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Syllabus
Course Title: Lakota/Dakota Language and Culture Level 1
Course Length: Full year
Course Description:
This language course prepares all students to learn to communicate effectively with a native speaker of the Lakota/Dakota Language. A variety of cultural experiences will be provided.
Student will:
speak, listen, read, and write in Lakota/Dakota
develop insight into the Lakota/Dakota Language and Culture
develop insight into her/his own language and culture; and
gain direct access to information in the Lakota/Dakota Language (use of technology, newspapers, video tapes)
This course prepares students to meet the Middle Level Minnesota Graduation Standard for World Languages. In addition, the course provides a skill and information base for progress toward the Middle Level Minnesota Graduation Standards for Interpersonal Communications, Geography and Culture, and Current Issue Analysis.
Level 1 introduces the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through thematically designed units. Topics included daily dialogues, journal writing, partner conferences, group speaking, home, school, family, and daily and leisure activities. Learning the structure of the language enables students to move from memorization to creating with the language in a more fluent manner. In addition, students explore the culture, history and geography of the Lakota/Dakota people.
Requirements Section:
Graduation Standard:
Learning Area: World Languages: World Language
A student shall demonstrate the ability to communicate in another language on familiar topics by:
A. showing evidence of understanding of how practices, products, and perspectives are influenced by a culture, and features of the language necessary for communication on a variety of topics.
B. showing evidence of comprehension of written and spoken information relating to daily living of personal events in formal and informal settings;
C. expressing ideas, opinions, and experiences, through writing and speaking; and
D. communicating a basic procedure or set of directions.
Assessment:
See Grade Summaries Poster.
Key Knowledge and Applications:
1. Exchange orally and in writing information, opinions, and feelings.
2. Understand basic grammar concepts including verb conjugation, gender, and sentence structure and creation.
3. Use basic language concepts: Pronunciation, spelling, speaking, and writing.
4. Compare Lakota/Dakota language to English language and Lakota/Dakota culture to students present culture.
5. Identify and practice simple patterns of behavior in various settings (school and home).
6. Other than the metropolitan area, identify locations where the Lakota/Dakota language is spoken.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of other content areas in the language (weather, historical dates, calendar content, math concepts)
8. Participate in activities that extend beyond the classroom (letter exchanges, Pow-wows, Lakota/Dakota Language society, community feasts/gatherings.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
English:
A look into the Oral traditions and values of American Indians, including short stories and novel readings. Formal essays, speeches and presentations will be made throughout the year that will follow middle level English standards. Examples: Students will read and discuss the value teachings of the Lakota/Dakota people. Modern Indian Psychology, by John Bride, is the main course book on value teachings.
Science:
Explore the contributions made by North American Indians to the world and how these contributions have evolved to help today’s society. Examples include American Indian recycling habits, medicines, foods, clothing, transportation. The parts of the buffalo is the main focus.
Geography:
The state of Minnesota is one of the primary locations of the Dakota people. A knowledge of rivers, forests, lakes, and the land of Minnesota will be explored. Also, North America will be reviewed in recognition of the various tribes and their nomadic lifestyle throughout the continent. Furthermore, the place names of various reservations, cities, locations, and forts will be studied.
History:
Settlement of North America will be reviewed. Specifically the events which led to the occupation of Minnesota, in regards to the meeting of settlers/explorers/armies with the Ojibwe and Dakota people of Minnesota (i.e. Dakota Conflict, Mille Lacs Conflict). Main topics include: the Treaties of Minnesota, relocation of the Dakota and Ojibwe.
Computers:
Internet will be used for research of American Indian Tribes and Minnesota History. Basic computing skills and word processing will be reviewed.
Health
The foods of the North American Indians are among the healthiest foods on the planet. Diabetes, heart disease, and others were not a part of the American Indian causes of death. Minnesota harvesting of wild rice is studied. Also the uses of the buffalo as a primary source of food and survival. Traditional medicines and how they are used, processed, and located.
Art:
The arts and crafts of the American Indian people are the foundations of, their culture and traditions. The uses of the buffalo in the culture and crafts. Outfit making classes are offered to promote the culture and crafts of the American Indians. Making of drum sticks.
Instructional Materials Used:
Saint Paul Indian Education Program (Jerry Dearly)
Minnesota Curriculum Frameworks
Lakota Wicoie, by Jerry Dearly (Textbook)
Lakota/English Dictionary, by Buechel
Modern Indian Psychology, by John Bride. (Cultural lessons)
Lakota/Dakota Unit Package
Indian Education Programs Multicultural Resource Center
Oral Speaking Procedures Handout(See Attached: To be used throughout lesson plans.)
Internet:
Students will be provided with an informational digest and basic knowledge of the Internet.
Students will use the Internet to:
search for information regarding the History of Minnesota (specifically about Ojibwe and Dakota)
search for information regarding an American Indian Tribe for a written report and presentation to the rest of the class.
Internet:
http://www.lakhota.com/online
This site contains information on Lakota/Dakota History and culture.
http://www.lakhota-sioux.com
This site contains information on Lakota/Dakota Language.
http://www.elkdreamer.com
This site has various stories and oral traditions of the Lakota/Dakota people
http://www.geocities.com/lakota~culture/
This site contains information on Lakota/Dakota culture.
http://www.maple.lemonyne.edu/"bucko/language.html
This site contains information on Lakota/Dakota language.
http://www.lakota books.com/
This site provides various resources and books on Lakota/Dakota people.
Parent Involvement:
Indian Education Monthly Pow-wows. Held the second Friday of every month at Mounds Park School. Families are encouraged to attend these gatherings to reinforce the cultural concepts and teachings of this class.
Drum Ceremony and Feast. At the beginning of each year, a traditional feast honoring the Indian Education Drum is held. À Families of Saint Paul Indian Education attend this gathering with the intention of blessing the Drum and renewing this yearly tradition. It is also a time where families can meet the instructors of the Indian Education Program and develop a relationship.
Student Recognition and Feast. Recognizes all American Indian students for their achievements throughout the school year. A feast accompanies this event which brings all American Indian families together. (Youth Honoring)
Eagle Feather Ceremony and Feast. This is in recognition of all seniors graduating from high school. They are presented with an Eagle Feather signifying their achievement and new endeavors. All American Indian families are invited to attend.
Drum Group. After school on scheduled days, a Drum group consisting of students in the Indian Education Program, gather for weekly practices. Parents are encouraged to attend as this group also performs at different sites within the community.
Outfit Making Class. Families bring their children and they undertake the creation a traditional regalia of an American Indian dance style. For example: Men's Grass Dance, Women's Jingle Dress to name two categories/styles of dance.
Course Expectations:
The goal of this course is to get people speaking the language. This course was created with the expectation of providing students with a cultural educational experience concerning the original people of this continent. Upon completion of this course, students will have an opportunity to formulate their own opinions about the Indigenous people of North America.
The study of the Lakota/Dakota Language is only one facet of this course. It is impossible to abstain from exploring the culture, crafts, lifestyles, ceremonies, contributions, customs, traditions, and other North American Indian Tribes because they are all connected in varying forms.
Teacher will use oral teachings referenced from elders of various communities and tribes of North America.
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