Interpreting Texts, Making Meaning: Starting Small

Standards

For the unit, I will be incorporating both Dine Culture standards and Common Core Standards for English Language Arts. The selections of literature to be utilized for the unit are written in both Dine language and English. For that purpose both Dine language and Common Core standards will be incorporated.

A note for teachers who do not speak or read the Dine language: please know that the Common Core standards will apply to the English version of the assigned books.

On the Navajo Nation reservation, we have a Department of Dine Education located in Window Rock, AZ. The purpose of the Department of Dine Education is to develop Dine language standards for schools on the Navajo reservation. The Dine standards are designed to incorporate Dine Oral Language, Dine Culture, Dine History, Dine Government, and Dine Character Building. The Dine Content Standards are organized from K-3, 4 ^th – 6 ^th, 7 ^th - 8 ^th, and 9 ^th-12 ^th grades. The Dine Content Standards are taught by a certified Navajo language teacher who is fluent in both Dine (Navajo) language and English.

The following Dine Standards will be addressed during the teaching of the unit for grades seventh and eighth: Dine Culture, Dine Language, and Dine History. The purpose of the Dine culture standards is to have Dine students develop, implement, and understand the Dine way of Life.

My unit will focus on the three Dine Standards and three concepts for Dine Culture, Language, and History. These standards will be emphasized for the duration of the unit.

7th-8th Diné Culture Standards

Standard – I will develop an understanding of the Dine way of Life.

Concept 3 – I will implement and recognize the Dine Lifestyle.

7th-8th Oral Diné Language Standards

Standard - Utilizing the Navajo language and culture, I will listen, communicate, observe, and understand appropriately.

Concept 1 – I will listen and understand the basic Dine Language.

7th-8th Diné History Standards

Standard – I will understand historical/factual events, people, and symbols that influence my family.

Concept 1 – I will present how Dine people and events have influenced the development of Dine communities and culture to the present day.

In addition, Arizona Common Core will focus on the meaning of words in English and Dine, which is part of the English Language Arts standards. Students will apply the standard of reading a poem and then analyzing the central idea of the text. Below are the standards:

English Language Arts – Craft and Structure

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama. (7.RL.4)

Analyze how a drama or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning. (7.RL.5)

Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. (7.RL.2)