Outdoor Classroom

In 2018, KCLC received a 3-year Esther Martinez Immersion grant from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) to develop a mobile outdoor immersion classroom for use by KCLC children, parents, and the larger Cochiti community, with the ultimate goal being to strengthen people’s daily use of Keres and stimulate community-level, cross-generational Keres fluency.  The classroom is mobile, so that lessons can happen in the field, at the river, in the mountains—anyplace.  The curriculum, comprised of topics identified by community members as being of interest, includes lessons about plants, animals, traditional activities, crafts, and outdoor activities.  All classes are conducted in Keres using immersion techniques.  The 2019–2020 syllabus is below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 4, 6:00p.m.–8:00p.m.  Topic: Directional Colors/Songs	March 24, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Topic: Building an Oven
February 11, 6:00p.m.–8:00p.m.    Topic: Directional Colors	March 31, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.    Topic: Building an Oven
March 10, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.    Topic: KCLC’s watershed	April 21, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.    Topic: Ladies’ Duties
March 17, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.    Topic: Farming	April 28, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.    Topic: Community Planting
May 5, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Topic: Celebration and Sharing

Following this year’s implementation, we will gather community feedback and make changes for the second year of implementation in 2020–2021.