Time: 60-90 Minutes
Audience: Teachers, tutors, support staff, administrators
Handouts: Yes
Video: No
This presentation highlights the connection between recent instructional reform efforts and Native American pedagogy. How do community-based teaching principles compare to research-based instructional strategies? For example, most tribes in the United States have rich oral traditions that still affect how children learn. Consequently, many Native American children are auditory learners who understand math concepts better when they are presented indirectly, in interesting and engaging contexts. Direct, textbook-based instruction that emphasizes procedure and practice is often ineffective with Native American children as a result. Reform-based efforts to improve teaching like Cognitively Guided Instruction, NCTM’s Process Standards, and Common Core’s Standards of Mathematical Practice are consistent with Native American pedagogy and are therefore culturally responsive.