Week 5 reflection

I thought this chapter was pretty interesting because it allowed me to think further of what I have been doing here at the district creating curriculum for classroom use for all teachers and students. The chapter stressed how goals are developed for educational programs and developers draw on their understanding of both present and long-term needs of learners. Developing Yuuyaraq curriculum has long been developed using Yup'ik values and beliefs as the basis of the curriculum. These values and beliefs were developed by elders and Yup'ik teachers during summer institutes back in 1980's which then the scope and sequence was developed to guide the Yup'ik values and beliefs to create lessons for students to learn about our language and culture. Each Unit or theme developed has rationale, values, and beliefs embedded. It is the same with the Upinguarluta thematic unit for K - 3rd grades. Both the Upinguarluta and Yuuyaraq Thematic Units are set in a heuristic spiral where they start from basic to more harder critical and analytical way of learning including the orthography and grammar. All this is connected to Yup'ik worldview where human, nature, and spiritual realms are connected. That is how both Upinguarluta and Thematic units are connected. When I read the chapter I saw some connections in each of the listed Academic rationalism where are Yup'ik philosophy is embedded(values and beliefs) where mental discipline is involved to respect our worldview. It is learner centeredness teaching from experience and prior knowledge.
I thought about people who developed Yuuyaraq and Upingaurluta thematic units what went on through their minds when they were developing the curriculum. I am so impressed with units they came up with and the importance of teaching them in class. We are very fortunate, I believe with what we have in our Yup'ik language here at the district. I know in the future it will keep changing with language change plus social changes.