Unit Objectives:

1. To heighten children's appreciation of their native language.

2. To listen to and comprehend simple verses/songs.

3. To distinguish and recognize the sound patterns of the native language using animals around us.

4. To review the Navajo colors.

5. To recognize the words through the phonic skills.

6. Understand fractions and their symbols: whole, halves, fourths and eighths.

7. To be able to read and rewrite the verses.

8. Recognize the handling verbs.

9. To gain an awareness of the animals.

Resource:

Navajo Music for Classroom Enrichment, Navajo Curr. 1976 Picture Pie, Ed Emberley's, 1984

Vocabulary words:

Tsidii yazhi, shee, holo, leh, mosi, leechaa'i, koshinii, kojinii, do', Naal'eeli, na'ahoohai, bisoodi, béégashii , tl'oh, to, tsiiyaagi, bana'ashjihgo, baanashjolgo, bana'ashkaago, hozhoogo, dibé, nazbas, taa'goo adeez'a

Integration into Subject Areas:

Language Arts

1. Show pictures of animals and say name of each animal. Discuss briefly the animals' needs and how they are value to us.

2. Construct a booklet to use to read and write the verses of the song.

3. Write the verses on a chart paper and sing with the children. Discuss the handling of verbs. A child may go up to the chart an d point out the verbs. They will act out the song by carrying a bowl of water, throwing seeds and carrying a bundle of hay and etc.

4. Ask the children to read each word and ask them what each word mean. Repeat all words and have them enunciate the words. Drill the vocabulary words using flash cards.

5. Circle time-talk about the different kinds of animals children have in their homes or around their home. They may share stories about their pets. (English)

Social Studies

1. Visit the nearby farm and discuss their uses and why they are important. Go over the names of the animals.

2. Choose one or two common pets, such as cats or dogs and discuss how to care for your pet. (Invite the Ruff teacher to classroom to reinforce the lesson) Ruff program usually bring in a pet. (English)

Science

1. Discuss the type of body covering particular animals have. What covers a dog, cat, cow, pig, bird and etc. Categorize what the animal has: fur, feathers, hair using a graph.

2. Discuss difference between mammals and birds and web out how they are the same and different. Such as mammals and birds are warm-blooded and mammals give live birth and birds Jay eggs.

Math

1. Show a circle as a whole and demonstrate how it becomes a half, a fourth, eighths. Write the symbols associating with each part 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8. Children will use construction paper to cut out a circle (nasbas) and proceed to cut out other parts.

2. Children will make an animal using the fraction parts by observing the picture of the animal displayed. Children may choose the any color by naming each one in Native language.

Music, Art, Drama

1. Constructing the animals from the fraction parts and drawing the scenery.

2. Children will sing the song "Shiljj' Banaastso" everyday.

3. Role play the sequence of the song by using bowls, dry grass and seeds or use sock or paper puppets to act out the verses.

Extension of the Activity:

Homework'Send a part of the verse and have child read or sing with parent(s). Circle or underline certain words to point out animal words, verbs and etc. A recorded tape of the song may be sent home along with the child if she/he requests.

Read books on sea animals and discuss their names in Navajo language and write simple sentence about each animal . Construct sea weeds, sea animals and the sentences and display on bulletin board.

Visit an aquarium and zoo as a closing activity.