If you are interested in taking any online Indian Education for All courses, visit IEFA Courses - MTPLC.ORG for information on registration and further course description.
EDU 455/555 #Not Your Princess
Participants will read and review the Essential Understandings of Montana Indians and the book, #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale (eds). The primary text is a unique cultural anthology of stories gathered from Indigenous women representing nations in the U.S. and Canada. The Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians will serve as a guide for critical analysis of #NotYourPrincess. Through readings, examinations of high-quality and authentic literature and teaching materials, participants will explore a variety of literature and professional teaching materials and develop strategies, a lesson plan and a final project for the immediate integration of IEFA into their classrooms. This course is the equivalent to 15 classroom hours (15 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 1 university credit.
EDU 455/555 American Indian Literature 9-12
This self-paced online Moodle course serves as an opportunity for participants to explore literature sent to all Montana high school libraries alongside additional fiction and nonfiction texts for use in grades 9-12. Most resources are place-based, either focused on Montana tribes or created by Montana Indian authors. Participants will read extensively in a variety of genres, engage in discussions, complete instructional activities, and examine accurate and authentic Native American fiction and nonfiction texts. Ultimately, participants will select texts and instructional units for immediate integration of IEFA into their classrooms. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 American Indian Literature K-8
Participants will read texts, engage in discussions, complete instructional activities, and examine accurate and authentic Native American fiction and nonfiction texts. Ultimately, participants will select texts and instructional units for immediate integration of IEFA into their classrooms. This course is rigorous and requires the participant complete extensive reading and access a number of texts. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Art and Literature Integration K-5
This course introduces quality American Indian themed literature for the K-5 classroom, and seeks to provide meaningful art activities to create connections to each text. In this two-credit course, you will:
*Read a number of American Indian-themed picture books suitable for use in the early education classroom.
*Explore ways to give students concrete experiences to help them relate the text to real life, build vocabulary, and develop a respect for differences.
*Learn or review the Seven Essential Understandings Regarding American Indians and the Montana Common Core Standards.
*Complete a number of art activities connected to the books in this course and review/revise them for your classroom
*Create your own social studies/literature lesson and art activity connected to an additional IEFA themed picture book of your choosing
*Those seeking graduate credit will create two lesson plans, or incorporate one additional book into their lesson plan for the final grade.
This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Birchbark House
This self-paced online five credit course uses The Birchbark House series by Louise Erdrich as a foundation for understanding the effects of Federal government policies and the Westward Expansion movement on American Indian people. The course begins with an overview of the Federal Indian Policy Eras from colonization through treaty-making. Participants will then read all five of Louise Erdrich’s Birchbark House series novels, and examine them alongside additional fiction and nonfiction literature selections, primary sources, and Office of Public Instruction IEFA materials. The conclusion of the course focuses on Montana’s landless Indians and the Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa-Cree, which has finally received federal recognition, over a century after the death of Chief Little Shell. This course is the equivalent to 75 classroom hours (75 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 5 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Boarding School Era
Designed for kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers, this self-paced online course focuses on building IEFA background knowledge related to the boarding school era. Participants will read a selection of fiction and non-fiction tests and examine a variety of instructional strategies to use with their students in the social studies or language arts classroom. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Current Events in Indian Country
Participants will:
*Develop personal background knowledge around contemporary American Indian issues.
*Explore the inquiry-based approach to learning and teaching by participating in Inquiry as both teachers and students.
*Design a structured inquiry to use in their classrooms.
*Reflect on ways to integrate IEFA into their content area using an inquiry-based approach.
*Demonstrate comprehension of the content through the completion of two student-led inquiries: One guided and one self-directed.
*Explore the learning process by participating in weekly forum discussions and completing readings and related assignments.
*Design and complete a free-inquiry, which includes a final, original product as a reflection of their learning and understanding.
*Create a detailed, IEFA integrated inquiry-based unit within their content area to use in their classrooms (graduate credit only).
This course is the equivalent to 45 classroom hours (45 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 3 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Dance House
The text used in this self-paced online book study targets high school student and adult readers; however, teachers of all grades and content areas will build background knowledge and learn instructional strategies that will facilitate the integration of Indian Education for All. Participants will read and review the Essential Understandings of Montana Indians and the book, The Dance House by Joseph Marshall III. The primary text includes essays and short stories from the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians will serve as a guide for critical analysis of The Dance House. This course is the equivalent to 15 classroom hours (15 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 1 university credit.
EDU 455/555 Early Childhood Literature
Participants will explore resources developed by the Office of Public Instruction alongside primary source
documents and carefully selected literature. This online, self-paced course covers IEFA literature for children ages 2-6. The course can be taken for 30 OPI professional development units or 2 University of Montana semester credits.
EDU 455/555 Foundations of IEFA
Designed for preservice and in-service teachers of grades K-12, this self-paced online course builds knowledge of Indian Education for all by first focusing on its foundation in multicultural education theory. Participants will develop a personal rationale forIEFA and build the skills necessary to thoughtfully integrate IEFA into the content areas and grade levels they teach, including but not limited to language arts, social studies, science, visual arts, music, and library-media. Through reading, viewing, lecture, and examination of high-quality and authentic literature and teaching materials, participants will explore a variety of literature and professional teaching materials, learn to distinguish which materials are of the highest quality, and develop strategies and lesson plans for immediate integration of IEFA into their classrooms. This course is the equivalent to 45 classroom hours (45 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 3 university credits.
EDU 455/555 History of Indigenous Resistance Movements
Participants will read and review the Essential Understandings of Montana Indians and access various resources related to the long history of indigenous resistance. All reading and viewing materials will be linked in the course. One exception is the documentary film, 100 Years: One Woman’s Fight for Justice. Every Montana school library should have a copy of the video.
Indigenous peoples around the world have been on the frontlines of conflicts like Standing Rock for centuries. This course brings together the work of Indigenous and allied activists and scholars: anthropologists, historians, environmental scientists, and legal scholars, all of whom contribute important insights into the conflicts between Indigenous sovereignty, civil rights, environmental justice and colonialism. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 History of the Flathead Reservation
This self-paced online Moodle course explores the history of the Flathead Reservation. The text used in this self-paced book club targets high-school-aged and adult readers; however, teachers of all grades and content areas will build background knowledge and learn instructional strategies that will facilitate the integration of Indian Education for All. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 IEFA and the Visual Arts
Participants will review and apply The Art of Storytelling: Plains Indian Perspectives; A Beautiful Tradition: Ingenuity and Adaptation in a Century of Plateau Women’s Art; Crossing Boundaries Through Art; and Learning Through Art: Corwin (Corkey) Clairmont and Juane Quick-to-See Smith. Participants will use these materials in completion of a selection of instructional activities and design lessons appropriate for use in their own setting. Students will use additional source materials via weblinks, interlibrary loan and/or scanned documents of the Moodle classroom to realize their course objectives. Through comparison of the National Standards for the Arts and Indian Education for All’s Essential Understandings, participants will develop lesson planning respecting the mandate of IEFA while reflecting on artistic, cultural and artistic problems and designing artistic solutions. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
Teachers of all grades and content areas will build background knowledge and learn instructional strategies that will facilitate the integration of Indian Education for All. Participants will read and review the Essential Understandings of Montana Indians and the book, In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall III. The primary text follows the heroic deeds of the Lakota leader who took up arms against the US federal government to fight against encroachments on the territories and way of life of the Lakota people, including leading a war party to victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. This course is the equivalent to 15 classroom hours (15 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 1 university credit.
EDU 455/555 Modern American Indian Life and Culture
Throughout this course, participants will gain insights into the diverse and vibrant world of contemporary Native American communities, dispelling common misconceptions while fostering cultural sensitivity and appreciation. Participants explore modern American Indian life and culture through eight themed modules. We will look at: history and its impacts; modern American Indian communities; the intricacies of American Indian identity and the importance of authentic representation in media and education; the best practices in education of and about American Indians; the importance of art and language preservation; contemporary issues in Indian country; the importance of forming liaisons and partnerships with modern Indian communities; and, finally, the development of culturally appropriate lessons and practices within the classroom. This course is the equivalent to 45 classroom hours (45 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 3 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Montana Tribal Histories
This self-paced online Moodle course explores the Montana Tribal Histories Educators' Resource Guide developed by Julie Cajune and The Framework: A Practical Guide for Montana Teachers and Administrators Implementing Indian Education for All by Tammy Elser. Through the readings, participants will examine primary and secondary documents that inform the tribal histories of Montana. Participants will utilize their critical analysis skills while using instructional strategies within the context of multicultural education. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 My Indian Boyhood
The text used in this online book study targets grades 4 - 8; however, teachers of all grades and content areas will build background knowledge and learn instructional strategies that will facilitate the integration of Indian Education for All. Participants will read and review the Essential Understandings of Montana Indians and the book, My Indian Boyhood by Luther Standing Bear. The primary text, considered an antidote to stereotype-laden children’s books, is a first-person account of Luther Standing Bear's traditional childhood. The Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians will serve as a guide for critical analysis of My Indian Boyhood. This course is the equivalent to 15 classroom hours (15 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 1 university credit.
EDU 455/555 Native American Author Studies
The self-paced online course is composed of five distinct units. Each unit is the equivalent of 1 University credit or 15 OPI professional development units. Participants would read a selection of books by one or more authors, complete a selection of instructional activities, and design a lesson or unit for use in the classroom. Upon registration, participants select which units/how many credits they wish to take. The five author units included are:
*JOSEPH BRUCHAC
*LOUISE ERDRICH
*SHERMAN ALEXIE
*LESLIE MARMON SILKO *JOY HARJO
EDU 455/555 Native American Literature (Glencoe)
Teachers of all grades and content areas will build background knowledge and learn instructional strategies that will facilitate the integration of Indian Education for All. The primary text is an anthology to include a wealth of literature written by some of the best classic authors and the finest contemporary voices. Participants will read and review the Essential Understandings of Montana Indians and the book, Glencoe Native American Literature, by Glencoe McGraw-Hill. The Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians will serve as a guide for critical analysis of the anchor text. This course is the equivalent to 15 classroom hours (15 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 1 university credit.
EDU 455/555 Native American Representations in Art and Cinema
Teachers of all grades and content areas will build background knowledge and learn instructional strategies that will facilitate the integration of Indian Education for All. Participants will read and review the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians and access various resources related to the representation of American Indians in popular culture. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Native Plants
Participants will:
*Develop personal background knowledge of Indian Education for All (IEFA) by diving deeply into the Essential Understandings of Montana Indians.
*Learn about native plants and their historical (and current) significance to local Montana tribes.
*Design comprehensive lesson plans and instructional activities that integrate the materials and concepts covered as well as self- selected supplemental materials.
*Work to integrate IEFA with NextGen science standards.
*Complete a final project which integrates the materials and concepts covered.
This course is the equivalent to 45 classroom hours (45 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 3 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Seasonal Rounds of the Salish
This course covers the traditional seasonal rounds of the Salish. In this two-credit course, you will:
*Read or review the seven essential understandings regarding Montana Indians
*Read a number of texts and view a film relating to the history of the Salish
*Respond to multiple writing prompts which encourage deeper engagement with the texts and materials in this course
*Complete instructional activities to go with each season
*Develop a grade or grade band specific teaching unit on the Salish and their seasonal rounds, along with at least two fully developed lessons on two different seasons. *Those seeking graduate credit will also fully develop two additional complete lesson plans to go along with the grade specific unit.
This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Seven Essential Understandings
Educators of all grades and content areas will build background knowledge and develop lesson plans that focus on and dig deeper into each Essential Understanding. These lessons are intended to be used in participants’ classrooms. Through readings, discussion forums and examination of high-quality teaching materials, participants will explore a variety of literature, articles and professional teaching materials and develop one lesson plan each week of the course and a final project (two for graduate credit) for the immediate integration of IEFA into their classrooms. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Sovereignty
Participants will explore resources developed by the Office of Public Instruction alongside primary source documents as they deepen their knowledge of Essential Understandings 4, 5, and 7. Topics explored include the federal Indian policy eras, tribal government, and treaty rights.
Topics:
Building Foundational Knowledge: What is Sovereignty?
Federal Indian Policy Eras
A Closer Look at Allotment
Montana Tribes Pre-Contact to Present
Tribal Government
Tribal Sovereignty Today
Graduate Project
This course is the equivalent to 45 classroom hours (45 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 3 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Special Topics Course 2
The self-paced online course is composed of five distinct units. Each unit is the equivalent of 1 University credit or 15 OPI professional development units. Upon registration, participants select which units/how many credits they wish to take. The five units included in Course Two are:
*The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
*Fire on the Land
*Native American Astronomy
*Book Study: An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People
*Book Study: If I Ever Get Out of Here
EDU 455/555 Special Topics Course 1
The self-paced online course is composed of five distinct units. Each unit is the equivalent of 1 University credit or 15 OPI professional development units. Upon registration, participants select which units/how many credits they wish to take. The five units included in Course One are:
*Who Will Tell My Brother?: The Indian Mascot Controversy
*Honoring Native Women’s Voices
*American Indian Short Stories
*American Indian Poetry
*Biographies of Native Americans: Contemporary and Historic
EDU 455/555 There There
Participants will read and review the Essential Understandings of Montana Indians and the book, There There by Tommy Orange. The primary text follows twelve characters from Native communities: all travelling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to each other in ways they might not yet realize. Readers will analyze how cultures and identities comingle; how storytelling and memory are indispensable parts of Native American culture and tradition; and how Native culture has been alienated from its roots through years and years of forced relocation and assimilation. Readers will gain an understanding of the pain, suffering, and generational trauma indigenous peoples have endured because of a cultural history marked by oppression, violence, and attempted genocide. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.