Developing Culturally Relevant Curriculum By Working With Parents & Community Members By: Nicole Fuerst With an interview with Nicole Fuerst & Emily Murray facilitated by Brad Fuerst

Background In 2003 I was hired to teach Reading and Writing for Aniguiin School. I mentioned to Emily Murray my desire for a cultural experience and my desire to incorporate culture into the classroom.

Background continued Emily and I began working together on cultural units and she was a well-known presenter in my classroom. Additionally, I attended Sheltered Instruction trainings, cultural trainings, and devoured anything I could that would deepen my cultural training.

Video Interview with Emily Murray

Why incorporating culture is vital Your students are trying to bridge a life in two worlds. The traditional Eskimo way of life and the Western way of life tear your students apart constantly. By incorporating culture into your classroom you help your students blend both worlds and learn how to function in both.

Step 1 Develop a relationship with a cultural mentor in your community. Select a mentor you will be able to work well with and has the same passion for cultural education that you do. Be flexible-be willing to meet after school and on weekends Be ready to educate. You will spend time sharing your knowledge of the standards, just as your mentor will be sharing her knowledge of the culture.

Step 2 Meet and discuss standards, Western vocabulary, and cultural units that will work. Start with a Brainstorming session-listing all of the ideas both of you have-pare down later. Start the session by agreeing that both of you will reserve judgment.

Step 3 Select one idea to focus on since the time you will need to commit to the planning process is significant. Select the goal of the unit, select standards that will be connected to the unit, and select the Western and native vocabulary that will govern the unit. Use the Reinventing Schools Guide Tools available through your principal or the district office for action plans.

Step 4 Research: You and your mentor may need a few weeks of research time to locate information, props (cultural materials to bring into class as visuals), additional resources, guest speakers, and activities. Divide up the research and specialize in what each of you does best so the two of you create a quality product.

Step 5 Write the lesson plans, design the materials, and put together the unit. Be prepared to spend a fair amount of time on this task. (It took approximately 30 hours to revise and write the potluck unit we created.) I use the SIOP format for lesson plan writing. It is a helpful format for cultural units because you focus on vocabulary and levels of engagement.

Step 6 After all the hard work, it is time to teach the unit. Be sure you schedule when you will implement the unit well ahead of time so that you can be sure you line up speakers and get the materials you need.

The Final Step The final step falls into the category of continuous improvement. Write a reflection on each lesson plan as it is implemented and then reflect upon the unit as a whole. What worked well? What didn’t? What still seemed unclear? What was inspiring? What was engaging and what wasn’t? Also do a unit feedback session with the students. I do unit feedback after every unit because the students able to help improve the next implementation of the unit and provide insight into needed areas of clarification.

Thanks Thanks for being committed to your students! We want to encourage you try writing one cultural unit this year. Or think of small ways to incorporate culture into the classroom, such as for anticipatory sets.