Post by blackcrowheart on Jan 3, 2008 14:57:54 GMT -5
Mission: Teach kids Navajo
Elementary school in Page wants full-immersion Diné culture class
Diné Bureau
www.gallupindependent.com/2007/december/122607jch_tchkdsnvjo.html
<http://www.gallupindependent.com/2007/december/122607jch_tchkdsnvjo.htm\
l>
PAGE, Ariz. — If Lake View Elementary School Principal Cheryl
Chuckluck gets her way, pupils will be learning to speak Navajo at her
school next year.
The idea came up a few years ago, but faded at the time. Now, Chuckluck
hopes the time is right.
Navajo language classes are taught at the middle school and the high
school level in the Page Unified School District.
"I think it's a great idea," teacher Bernice Austin-Begay
said. She teaches the Navajo language to high schoolers. "For years,
I've felt like a one-woman army."
Chuckluck has been looking at how other schools in Arizona have set up
such classes. Currently, she and an elementary school kindergarten
teacher are going to different schools to see how their Navajo language
programs are structured.
"It's about time," Austin-Begay said. Languages are easier
learned by younger children, she said.
Arizona schools use different methods, including all-day immersion in
Navajo, or special classes, Chuckluck said.
If Page Elementary went to full-immersion, it would feature two adults
modeling the language for the pupils. After several sessions of teaching
the students, they would learn to use the language independently.
Teaching the language to younger pupils hasn't been done before, in
part, because the language is seen as being extremely difficult to
learn, Austin-Begay said.
In World War II a secret code based on the Navajo language helped U.S.
troops win the Pacific Theater of the war. The Navajo code remains the
only military code that was never broken.
After Chuckluck gathers the facts, the next step will be to develop a
task force to help Lake View plan the idea out. It will be comprised of
staff members from the school and Page Unified School District.
Chuckluck will also ask parents to participate.
Elementary school in Page wants full-immersion Diné culture class
Diné Bureau
www.gallupindependent.com/2007/december/122607jch_tchkdsnvjo.html
<http://www.gallupindependent.com/2007/december/122607jch_tchkdsnvjo.htm\
l>
PAGE, Ariz. — If Lake View Elementary School Principal Cheryl
Chuckluck gets her way, pupils will be learning to speak Navajo at her
school next year.
The idea came up a few years ago, but faded at the time. Now, Chuckluck
hopes the time is right.
Navajo language classes are taught at the middle school and the high
school level in the Page Unified School District.
"I think it's a great idea," teacher Bernice Austin-Begay
said. She teaches the Navajo language to high schoolers. "For years,
I've felt like a one-woman army."
Chuckluck has been looking at how other schools in Arizona have set up
such classes. Currently, she and an elementary school kindergarten
teacher are going to different schools to see how their Navajo language
programs are structured.
"It's about time," Austin-Begay said. Languages are easier
learned by younger children, she said.
Arizona schools use different methods, including all-day immersion in
Navajo, or special classes, Chuckluck said.
If Page Elementary went to full-immersion, it would feature two adults
modeling the language for the pupils. After several sessions of teaching
the students, they would learn to use the language independently.
Teaching the language to younger pupils hasn't been done before, in
part, because the language is seen as being extremely difficult to
learn, Austin-Begay said.
In World War II a secret code based on the Navajo language helped U.S.
troops win the Pacific Theater of the war. The Navajo code remains the
only military code that was never broken.
After Chuckluck gathers the facts, the next step will be to develop a
task force to help Lake View plan the idea out. It will be comprised of
staff members from the school and Page Unified School District.
Chuckluck will also ask parents to participate.