Talking Story: Understanding Culture-based Curricula

Jamie Dela Cruz

Abstract

The phenomenological study investigated the perceptions of teachers who implemented a culture-based curriculum at an elementary school on Oahu. Aloha ‘Āina is a culture-based curriculum with instruction and student learning grounded in the values, norms, knowledge, beliefs, practices, experiences, and language that are the foundation of the Hawaiian culture. Eight teachers were interviewed after they used the culture-based curriculum in their classrooms during one semester. Data analysis revealed four categories: teachers’ initial experiences, student engagement, challenges and opportunities, and meaningful experiences. Teachers were challenged by the culture-based education program and teachers’ perceptions of the Aloha ‘Āina curriculum were positive, most agreeing that it helped students to learn and improve student engagement through hands-on learning in and outside of the classroom.

Keywords: Aloha ‘Aina, culture-based curricula, place-based education,

Keywords

Aloha ‘Aina, culture-based curricula, place-based education,

Full Text:

PDF

References

Ackerman, R., & McKenzie, S. V. (2006). Uncovering teacher leadership. Educational Leadership, 63, 24-99.

Alberta Commission on Learning. (2003). Alberta Learning Document. Edmonton, AB: Author.

Alberta Education. (2005). Curriculum implementation handbook. Edmonton, AB: Author.

Dela Cruz, J. (2011). Talking Story: Understand the experiences of teachers using a culture-based curriculum (Doctoral dissertation, Argosy University Hawaii).

Finn, J., & Voelkl, K. (1993). School characteristics related to school engagement. Journal of Negro Education, 62(3), 249-268.

Hawaii Department of Education. (2009). Schools Directory. Retrieved from http://165.248.6.166/data/schoollist.asp

Kana‘iaupuni, S. K., Malone, N., & Ishibashi, K. (2005). Ka huaka`i: 2005 Native Hawaiian educational assessment. Honolulu, HI: Kamehameha Schools, Pauahi Publications.

Klem, A. M. & Connell, J. P. (2004). Relationships matter: Linking teacher support to student engagement and achievement. Journal of School Health, 74, 262-273.

McElroy, E. J. (2007). What Congress needs to hear about NCLB. American Teacher, 91(7), 2.

Pacific American Foundation. (2008). Native Hawaiian education program proposal ‘Āina Hānau. Unpublished report.

Pacific American Foundation. (2007). Project Aloha ‘Āina, Grade 3 Teacher’s Guide- Wetlands. Unpublished report.

Smyth, T. S. (2008). Who is no child left behind leaving behind?. The Clearing House, 81(3), 133-137.

Snow, C. E., Burns, S. M., & Griffin, P. (Eds.) (1998). Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children. National Research Council, National Academy Press.

Tollefson, N. (2000). Classroom applications of cognitive theories of motivation. Educational Psychology Review, 12(1), 63-83.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/ijpte.v3i2.29974

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.