Think of the subjects that are taught from elementary to post-secondary schools. Math, Writing, Science, Art. How many resources do you think are out there? For these subjects, there are innumerable lesson plans, curricula, and activity ideas out there. But this is not necessarily the case for Iñupiat language. Although more and more resources are being developed, there are still many gaps in resources for teachers.

Here are some ideas for creating lessons and activities in your class:

1. Student-created resources: Have students create an infographic for Iñupiat grammar concepts, such as this one.  This will place the responsibility for learning into the students’ hands and allow them to create their own understanding of a subject. An activity like this also allows for some creativity. Make a list of the grammar concepts you are teaching. Some examples are noun cases, types of verbs, verb moods, demonstratives, etc. Have students choose one to create an infographic for.  Piktochart  and Canva are good places to start for creating infographics.

2. Teaching online?  One of the most important ways to practice fluency is by holding conversations in the language. It can be challenging to facilitate this type of practice when your students not only have different schedules, but they also are in different cities. This is where conferencing and discussion platforms such as Google Hangout, Zoom or Slack can be helpful. Here are a couple ways to use these platforms in your class.

• Students can hold discussions and conversations with each other in Iñupiat. They can even create recordings of their conversations.
• In order to spark conversation, give your students something to converse about, or have them find something they would like to talk about. It could be an image, a video, a slideshow, etc. Students may use the screenshare function to display whatever you or they choose to talk about.

3. Foster Creativity: Are some of your students interested in music? Have them create or translate a song. Are they creative writers? Let them write stories, poems, or essays. The possibilities are endless and you will end up with some great student-created projects.

4. Get them moving! Dedicate one class period a week, or every two weeks to TPR (total physical response). Let students respond to commands such as “Qaiñ” or “AullaÄ¡iñ.” And give students a chance to give commandments and lead the TPR game. Here are a couple you can try.

• “MauÅ‹aÄ¡iñ!/ NutqaÄ¡iñ!” (Come here!/Stop!) (aka Redlight/Greenlight)
  • Need: plenty of space (hallway, gym, a field, etc.)
  • Rules: This is a common children’s game but in case you forgot, here are the rules.
  • Skills taught: Basic commands in plural, dual, and singular forms
• “Natmun? (To Where?)
  • Need: a blindfold (I bought a cheap sleeping mask for this), a somewhat spacious (and clear) area.
  • Rules: Have an end goal, such as a classroom door. One person is blindfolded and spun around three times. The rest of the class directs the blindfolded person to the place they need to go. Each person gets a turn.
  • Skills taught: Demonstrative adverbs, basic commands