Lesson Plan

The Importance of Indigenous Language Revitalization

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Middle schoolers consider languages as representations of cultures and the importance of preserving various languages, especially the rapidly disappearing languages of indigenous peoples, in a lesson plan that tells the story of Marie Wilcox and her work to preserve the Wukchumni language. Young scholars watch a video about the dictionary Ms. Wilcox has created of the Wukchumni language and her family's work of teaching the language to other members of their tribe.

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CCSS: Designed
Instructional Ideas
  • Pause the film frequently to permit viewers to take notes and ask questions
  • Ask each class member to contribute an entry for a class dictionary that includes the word, its meaning, and a sentence that uses the word
Classroom Considerations
  • Requires projection equipment for the video
  • Groups need access to devices with internet to view their assigned film
Pros
  • The 13-page packet includes additional background information for instructors, activities, and discussion questions
Cons
  • None