Curriculum development, lesson planning, and delivery: A guide to Native language immersion

Abstract

In 2016, Dr. Martin Reinhardt and Dr. Jioanna Carjuzaa produced a series of three webinars concerning Indigenous language immersion programs. The first webinar focused on broad curriculum development ideas including core relationships, guidelines and principles for effective pedagogy, and models. The second webinar focused on the elements of lesson planning. The third and last webinar focused on assessments and the use of rubrics aligned with Indigenous language standards. The content of the webinars has been transposed into the following chapter with certain modifications.

Keywords:

• language
• curriculum
• assessment
• rubrics

Public Interest Statement

The ideas presented here are intended to assist Indigenous language immersion educators as they engage in curriculum development and assessment. The broad concepts and examples provided will help situate Indigenous language immersion programs in relation to general education concerns. The references included represent current and ongoing discussion and research in this area.

Acknowledgments

Chi-miigwech (many thanks) to Dr. Jan Perry Evenstad and the staff at the Region VIII Equity Assistance Center for their support of the Indigenous Language Immersion webinars development, and to Dr. Jioanna Carjuzaa for her never ending energy and commitment to the revitalization of Indigenous education systems (See https://www.montana.edu/carjuzaa/cbme/cbme.html).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Martin Reinhardt

Dr Martin Reinhardt is an Anishinaabe Ojibway citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians from Michigan. He is a tenured associate professor of Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University, and serves as the president of the Michigan Indian Education Council. His current research focuses on revitalizing relationships between humans and Indigenous plants and animals of the Great Lakes Region. He is a former research associate for the Interwest Equity Assistance Center, and the former vice president for diversity and research for Educational Options, Inc. He has a PhD in Educational Leadership from the Pennsylvania State University, where his doctoral research focused on Indian education and the law with a special focus on treaty educational provisions. Martin has previously served as: the primary investigator for the Decolonizing Diet Project; Chair of the American Association for Higher Education American Indian/Alaska Native Caucus; Co-Primary Investigator for the Michigan Rural Systemic Initiative; and as an external advisor for the National Indian School Board Association (See https://www.montana.edu/carjuzaa/cbme/cbme.html).