Choctaw Language

1. Certified Choctaw language instructors teach 30-60 minutes a day to the PreK-3rd grade students in the Choctaw language classroom. The Choctaw Language Curriculum is used in these classrooms. Other certified Choctaw language instructors within the school serve as substitutes when the instructor is out.

2. The same grades, PreK-3rd, are provided language integration and cultural activities in their own classrooms, with the instructional aide, for their grade level also.

3. The other classrooms (4th-8th) are served by instructional aides and language instructors to teach the Choctaw language and culture using the Choctaw Curriculum Guide and the "hilha unit" (dance unit) for the year. Lessons plans are to be revised as needed by the grade level language instructors and instructional aids for each grade level.

4. Each Choctaw Tribal elementary school will ensure that 100% of the Choctaw children receive Choctaw language and culture classes at least 30 minutes (preferably 50 minutes including afterschool time) a day for four to five days a week by:

     1. Teaching Choctaw language/ culture in the After School Program any time from 3:00-4:20pm four days a week, including homework guidance for 15 minutes in English and Choctaw Monday to Thursdays.

     2. During the regular school period, one period of Choctaw language class is taught 30 minutes, four to five days a week totaling 150 minutes a week, minimum.

Most PreK-3rd grade children receive Choctaw language class 30-60 minutes a day from one certified language instructor per school, with two language instructors for Pearl River Elementary. Other grades continue with the 30 minute instruction for regular class and 20-30 minutes for the After School Program.

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The Choctaw Department of Schools incorporates the teaching of the Choctaw Language and Culture in the Choctaw Tribal School System which encompasses six elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

The purpose: 

- Choctaw language maintenance and restoration for our Choctaw children

- Preservation of our Cultural ways by continuing to teach the Choctaw children about the various aspects involved, using the newly developed Choctaw language curriculum- Chahta Annopa Ist Ayikhana I Hina Oshi and other resources available.

The Choctaw Tribal School System believes that every Choctaw child attending our school system has a right to be taught their native language. Efforts have been made to meet their rights by providing an opportunity for all students to learn the Choctaw language by creating the AnnopaTikbishitya project through grants from Administration for Native Americans and the Department of Education, under the Choctaw Language and Cultural Integration Program/ Department of Schools.

Choctaw Central Middle School has an average of 160 students who receive Choctaw language classes comprised of:

1. Choctaw language class with a Choctaw language instructor, for 30 minutes per grade, Monday to Friday. Choctaw language and cultural integration is provided by instructional aide Elijah Ben and other instructional aides as needed.

2. One Chorus/ Choctaw languge class with a Choctaw speaking teacher or language instructor 15 minutes daily from Tuesday-Thursday. Choctaw language reading and writing activities are to be provided.

3. PE/ Choctaw language and history class with a Choctaw speaking language instructor for 15 minutes daily from Monday-Thursday. Lesson plans will include oral and written storytelling and role plays in the Choctaw language.

4. Integrating Choctaw language with reading class 15 minutes a day, 3 days a week.

The classes will use floating instructional aides or a classroom for students to rotate, when space is available. Topics will include language and cultural dance units which will be modified by the instructional aides for each grade level.

Glenda Bell
Farrell Davidson
Tricia Hickman