Cultivating Náádáá’ and Diné Culture through STEM

Abstract

As an adult, my guide serves a purpose of understanding the history of Kídílyé, growing corn
and using it to nourish our mind, body and soul. Kídílyé – Rooted in Tradition- Cultivating
Náádáá’ and Diné Culture is a unit designed to cultivate a deeper understanding to oneself to
promote cultural connectivity to one’s relatives and community. The concepts tied around this
until will connect and promote the following:
• Utilize and embrace an integration of inquiry-based approach that embraces the value of
an open-ended, play-based curriculum. “This definition considers play, first, as a demonstration of what children know, and second, a demonstration of what they are
currently thinking about. Through play, children actively construct new knowledge about
objects, people, and events by integrating new experiences with what they already know.
This definition sets the stage for play as a domain. If play is an expression of what
children know, then an evaluation of children’s play behaviors can be used for an
assessment of knowledge. If play is an activity for learning, then interventions in play can
be used to help children learn” (Lifter, Foster-Sanda, Arzamarski, Briesch, & McClure,
2011, pp. 227-228)
• Integrate a Diné language approach that touches on the importance of language
revitalization.
• Embrace outdoor activities that connect holistic views connected to Hózhò, harmony and
balance. “The main source of food comes from white, blue, yellow, and red corn, which
are sacred. Daily offerings of white corn, corn pollen, and yellow corn to the Holy
People for healing and resiliency are the core teachings for health and wellness” (Nelson,
2018, p. para. 5).
• The unit encompasses to strive for cultural connection and continuity through efforts of
language preservation, storytelling, cultural knowledge and build familial bridges to
support foundational connections. Armstrong talks about the importance of embracing
her diverse group of students through culturally responsive teaching, “…Culturally
responsive teaching (CRT), which validates and affirms the cultures of the students and
incorporates their cultures in multiple aspects of learning and the environment in
meaningful ways. This approach also encourages educators to hold high expectations of
the children and their ability to learn content” (Armstrong, 2020).
• In addition, students will also be engaging in experiences that support and enhance
curriculum standards that meet the needs of each student working with this unit.