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Applying Native Language Learning Standards to Development of AssessmentsCreation of culturally appropriate assessments based on native language standardsDr. Jill RobbinsPhone: (301) 231-6046 - Fax: (301) 231-9536 - www.2lti.com - 6135 Executive Blvd. Rockville, MD 208521Chahta Anumpa Learning Standards

Choctaw Language (Chahta Anumpa) Learning Standards

2SLTI helped to develop the Choctaw Language Learning Standards, which follow the ACTFL Standards, also known as the Five Cs Located in Choctaw, Mississippi, The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has 10,000 members. The Choctaw Tribal School System has six elementary schools, one middle school and one boarding high school on the Choctaw Indian Reservation in east central Mississippi. The Choctaw schools are scattered over a four-county area and serve more than 1,700 students. It is the largest unified and locally-controlled Indian school system in the country.There are strong local traditions of dress, sports, crafts, and dance that the Choctaw language instructors can draw on. Choctaw Language Learning StandardsStandard 1: Communication: Interpretive Communication: Listening/ Reading/ViewingStandard 2: Communication: Interpersonal Communication: Speaking/WritingStandard 3: Communication: Presentational: Speaking/WritingStandard 4: Culture: Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Choctaw CultureStandard 5: Connections: Transfer and Apply Choctaw Knowledge to Other Disciplines of LearningStandard 6: Comparisons: Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and CultureStandard 7: Communities: Participate in Bilingual Communities at Home and Around the World

3Put graphic of Five cs3Which Standards Can be Tested?What can be observed in the testing context?Compare: 1CLL-N.2. Respond to simple commands, familiar vocabulary, and language structures.7CC-P.6 Take part in language-related activities to benefit the school and/or community such as tutoring, interpreting, public performance, or publishing an article or story.

Which of these standards would you test? How?2CLL-I.5. Use cultural terms in oral and written communications.3CLL-P.5 Orally create and dramatize a short skit with peers. 6CLL-N.1 Make basic comparisons between the celebrations in the Choctaw communities and those of other cultures (e.g., Spring Festival and May Day)

Ask audience members to talk among a small group and report on how they would test the one they chose to test?5Choctaw Language Learning Standard 2

6Choctaw Language Learning Standard 2 Sample Task

Katimmak ish achokmahnih? Taposhshik ikbikat amachokmah.

7Miccosukee Language Revitalization Initial standards development by Tribal representatives & educators at Miccosukee Indian School (located in the Everglades, Florida)SLTI worked on:Revision of Standards Standards-based AssessmentsCurriculum Maps Aligned to StandardsInterpretation of Content Standards as the Basis for Curricular ActivitiesExamples of standards and corresponding Curriculum Maps for 2 areas:Speaking & ListeningReceptive LanguageExpressive LanguageCulture StudiesComparison of past & present (higher-level thinking/speaking task)

9Speaking & Listening (1st Grade) Content Standards.1.1The student will continue to demonstrate growth in the understanding and use of oral languageThe student can identify, say, segment, and blend various units of speech sounds (multiple syllable words)The student can identify common root or base words of various Miccosukee wordsThe student will be able to focus on the meaning and key details of a simple oral Miccosukee story The student will be able to determine the sequence of events in a simple Miccosukee storyThe student will understand an increased number of words, phrases and simple sentences and questionsThe student can comprehend short conversations on simple topicsThe student will demonstrate understanding of multi-step oral directions

Topic 3: Hands-on activities

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Sample Tasks First Grade Assessment

(1.1.g)Pick up the red stick and put it on the circle.Put two blue sticks inside the square.RECEPTIVE language. Student can show understanding without speaking.111.1.c Understand a Story/ Tell a Sequence of Events

Standards: The student will be able to use key vocabulary terms correctly in simple sentence form The student will be able to determine the sequence of events in a simple Miccosukee story

Look at the three pictures. Tell me what is happening in this picture. Now tell me what is happening in this picture. Now tell me what is happening in the last picture.EXPRESSIVE language task: student must speak; this is more difficult and would follow the receptive language task.12Sample Tasks First Grade Assessment?.

What is this?What is this?Naming objects is a low-level cognitive task. Its used early in the test to build the students confidence before the harder tasks.13Miccosukee Studies (4th Grade) Content StandardsArts and Recreation4.2The student understands that there are various arts and recreation elements of the Miccosukee culture both past and presentThe student will be able to describe two or more of the traditional Miccosukee arts or recreational activities and their importance to the cultureThe student will be able to learn the name for as well as the basic steps for preparing a culturally significant food/dish.

Topic 3: Hands-on activities

14Assessing Culture Standards

The student will be able to compare and contrast aspects of village life today to the early 1900s

What do you see in Picture 1?

What do you see in Picture 2?

How are these things important to the Miccosukee culture today? Why are they important today? How is picture 1 like picture 2? What else do pictures 1 and 2 have in common?

What do you see in Picture 2?How are these things important to the Miccosukee culture today? Why are they important today? How is picture 1 like picture 2? What else do pictures 1 and 2 have in common?

15Questions on TestingQuestions on Native Language Assessments or Standards development?

16Cultural Activities Encourage Language Retention & Tribal Identity: Where will Native Langauges be in 20 years?

References: Choctaw LanguageOfficial Choctaw Of MS Site:http://www.choctaw.org

Information on the Choctaw Writing System:http://www.omniglot.com/writing/choctaw.htm

Statistics on Choctaw Language:http://www.ethnologue.com/language/cho

General Information:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choctaw

18References: Miccosukee Language (Elaponke)Official Miccosukee Tribe Site:http://www.miccosukee.com/

Information on the Choctaw Writing System:http://www.omniglot.com/writing/mikasuki.htm

Statistics on Miccosukee Language:http://www.ethnologue.com/language/mik

General Information:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miccosukee 19Second Language Testing, Inc.http://2lti.com/

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