Dakota Greetings

Grade: Kindergarten

As a class, students will learn the importance of greeting others in their own language by using greetings in the Dakota language. The Dakota language will be specifically taught through a variety of short multimedia presentations.

Essential Question

How do we greet each other in the language of the Dakota First Nations people and Chief Whitecap?

Big Idea

Greeting people in their own language allows people to feel included and have a sense of belonging.

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KINDERGARTEN LESSON PLAN

Teaching Aids

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Lesson Outline

Introduction and practice – until such time as students can use the greetings on their own and respond appropriately.

STAGE 1: SASKATCHEWAN CURRICULUM OUTCOME

Social Studies: INK.2
a) Describe the diversity of groups represented in the classroom

Investigate the diversity of languages and cultural traditions represented in the classroom and school, and recognize the role language and culture play in an individual’s unique identity. Additional outcome

ELA Outcome: CCK.3
Use oral language to converse, engage in play, express ideas, and share personal experiences.

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to greet each other with the appropriate Dakota greeting, as well as a variety of other languages known to students in the classroom.

Dakota Greetings are gender specific
Boys – háu
Girls – han

MOTIVATIONAL SET:

Explain to students that it is important for everyone to be able to say hello and feel welcome in their own language. Since their school is named after a Dakota chief, located on traditional Dakota land and there are also some Dakota students in the school, it is important to make them feel welcome and understand know the language of the people who were here first.

MAIN PROCEDURES/STRATEGIES:

Ask children if they know how to say hello in another language other than English. See what they come up with – do they speak this language at home? How did they learn it? How do they feel when other people learn to say hello/goodbye in their own language? How many languages does our class know? The teacher could introduce a language they know to the group.

Write the words on an anchor chart and practice saying them. Use different coloured markers for each language. Place the students name beside the language they mention or speak at home.

CLOSING:

Practice daily and use the Dakota greetings all year round.

Materials Required

  • ANCHOR CHART

  • COLOURED PENS