Cultural Differences in Teaching Native Americans: Beyond Special Education

1
Cultural Differences in Teaching Native
Americans Beyond Special Education

• Spirit Lake Consulting

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Cultural Differences

• Before recommending a student for special
  education, teachers should be SURE a student
  really has a disability. Cultural differences may
  be the explanation for behavior problems and
  absenteeism in tribal school where the majority
  of teachers are Caucasian.

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Ten Factors to help Native Americans Succeed in
School

• Difference between Native American Culture and
  School
• More hands-on activities
• Field trips
• Invite elders tribal leaders into your
  classroom
• Get involved in the tribal community
• Learn the tribal culture and history

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Factors

• Knowledge of Native American culture among school
  staff
• Teachers attend more NA workshops
• Students present cultural demonstration to staff
  and school
• Invite elders to help at school/work together
• Integrate NA culture with curriculum
• Teachers share their culture with students

5
Factors

• Understanding between teachers and students
  values
• Teachers need to listen to students and respect
  them
• Do special things with students
• Small group work
• Teachers and students need to communicate,
  compromise, and treat each other like they would
  like to be treated
• Plan special learning activities (e.g. field
  trips)
• You dont teach respect, you give respect. Be
  gentle and kind.

6
Factors

• Understanding Native American students learning
  styles
• Tell more stories
• Teach around subject
• More hands-on activities
• Cooperative/collaborative learning
• Visual projects

7
Factors

• Better motivation of Native American students
• More activities
• Take time developing lesson plans to produce more
  creative learning
• Education or learning parenting skills
• Incentives for students
• Pick the school counselors brain
• Family counseling

8
Factors

• Language of students and teachers
• Smaller groups
• Matching students and teachers more efficiently
• Being aware of difference
• Patience
• Dont force your opinions on students
• Learn their language

9
Factors

• Home and community problems
• Get involved in Pow-wows
• Getting in touch with the families
• Providing a healthier environment at school
• Promote wellness
• Know community resources

10
Factors

• Appropriate use of tests with Native American
  students
• Teach study skills
• Develop different ways of teaching
• Find a balance between daily work and tests for
  grading purposes
• Develop a tutoring program

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Factors

• 9. Enter the classroom prepared to teach
• Have high expectations for students
• Have lesson plans prepared that address those
  high expectations, e.g., that teach how to do a
  research project
• Hold students accountable for high expectations,
  explain assignments, how they will be graded and
  return graded work to students promptly

12
Factors

• 10. Include culture in the curriculum
• Write lesson plans that include the students
  culture
• Attend workshops, purchase texts to better
  understand the students culture