Culturally Responsive Teaching Using the Sweetgrass Method
Developed by my colleague, Dr. Mark Standing Eagle Baez, member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Tribe, Mohawk/Pawnee, and of Mexican descent, the Sweetgrass Method is a practical approach to culturally responsive teaching that weaves indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and ways of knowing into daily instruction and the general curriculum. The asset focused mindset embraces and celebrates diversity of Native cultures and traditions while creating an inclusive learning environment for all students. This workshop will examine ways to embed culturally responsive teaching practices that welcome, include, and support all learners. I will also share knowledge gleaned from and experiences with my Ojibwe students and colleagues.
Mostly presentation-style, but questions, comments, and small-group discussions will be encouraged. Can be adapted for 60-90 minutes.
Engaging Reluctant Readers and Writers Using Readers’ Theater
This hands-on workshop will explore how readers’ theater can be used to support students’ reading fluency, language and vocabulary, comprehension, writing, communication, creative thinking, and communication skills. Readers’ theater requires students to read scripts multiple times to build literacy skills. Lines are not memorized, and costumes/props are not needed. Focus is placed on oral reading practice, discussion that guides comprehension and vocabulary knowledge, and collaboration among readers. Participants will collaboratively read a readers’ theater script. Readers’ theater is also used as a writing strategy to prompt composition in various genres.
Please select one script for the workshop:
- The Hidden One: A Native American Legend
- The Blizzard of 1920
- Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale
- Lady Liberty
- Two Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Active session. Participants will be working in collaborative groups. 90 minutes. Access to computers is helpful for the writing portion of the workshop.
Worry-Free Writing in All Content Areas
Writing can be embedded in all subject areas, including math, science, art, history, and economics to learn content. Together we will discuss how to write about critical content in creative ways. This workshop will explore strategies for teachers to meaningfully embed reading, writing, speaking, and listening in all classroom settings to support content learning for all students, no matter what their writing proficiency level may be. We will also engage in short activities that promote discussion as a pre-writing strategy and collaboration as a writing strategy. This is not a presentation on grammar or editing, it is instead focused on positive writing activities that encourage student engagement and motivation to write. Images from the USA will be used to encourage creative and descriptive writing samples. Two different, wordless picture books will also be used to prompt writing, Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad, a book about slavery, and Tuesday, a contemporary fantasy story.
Active session. Participants will be working in collaborative pairs/groups. 60-90 minutes. Access to computers is helpful for this workshop.
Picture This: Using Picture Books as Platforms for Rich Discussion & Learning
Picture books are not just for primary grades; they can serve as a powerful tool to introduce complex ideas and address difficult topics in non-threatening ways. They act as a springboard to prompt rich discussion, critical thinking, and deeper learning. Picture books also make challenging concepts, texts, and topics accessible for students learning the school’s language or for students who struggle reading dense texts independently. This session will explore how to strategically select picture books and use the interactive read-aloud process to pique interest and foster student engagement in challenging topics as a precursor to technical investigation, research, and learning. The workshop coordinator will choose a text or two from a provided list, for this workshop. The book topics include slavery, immigration, racial discrimination, tribal sovereignty, Native American legends, and contemporary life. At the conclusion of the presentation, teachers will be given links to recordings of the picture book read-alouds for future use in their classrooms. Participants will also explore Padlet as a resource to promote critical reading and writing of challenging topics.
Mostly presentation-style, but questions, comments, and small-group discussions will be encouraged. This workshop can be adapted for 60 or 90 minutes.