Maykh pa’amanuni! Tʉʉˈayaqhˈʉmʉy puchuchugway. Hello everyone! It is good to know you.  

The Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy uses Pawaaghani Pɵˈɵkwatʉ for its heading of this article. These words literally translate into Eagle House Book. As Ute Language is the cornerstone of the school, we do our best to put words together, so they make the most sense. Using the approved Ute Dictionary, reaching out to elders, and going off of the language knowledge that the staff have, we often come close to the desired outcome. Though it hasn’t been by leaps and bounds, we have grown the language.  

We have students who are challenging their families at home. We have staff who can be found using it for day-to-day tasks in the classroom. And we are collecting data. Using a simple system, we can show how many words students have grown the language from the beginning of the year to the end. 

By self-created assessments, we can show how the elementary students have moved from one word knowledge to sentence knowledge. That might seem silly and look like we aren’t moving in the right direction, yet considering there is no national or standardized assessment tool we have found for this, we are collecting data in the best ways we can.  

Recently, with the American Montessori Society conference in Denver and the Indigenous Montessori Institute in Albuquerque, we have encountered other Tribes and Indigenous nations who must rely on creating their own language growth assessments also. It was good to know that we are not alone in this journey.  

Tuvuchi toghoyaqh. 

 

Montessori Tidbits 

 

Dr. Maria Montessori spoke about the “normalized” child, which is a term that is used in all Montessori schools. The normalized child is able to function appropriately in the environment and this results in a well-balanced child, capable of achieving their goals.  

 

Characteristics of a normalized child are: 

• Shows self-discipline 

• Demonstrates concentration 

• Acts independently 

• Is self-motived 

• Enjoys repetition 

• Finds pleasure in work 

• Has no need for external rewards 

• Prefers work to play 

• Has a love of learning. 

 

To attain these characteristics, it takes time, patience, consistency and a positive attitude. And often, it is a life-long practice.  

 

Early Release Days are every Friday at 2 p.m.  

 

Upcoming Events  

• 3/31 – 4/4 – Book Fair
• 4/3- Ute Day and Career Fair
• 4/8 – Golden High School students tour SUIMA
• 4/15 – Parent Advisory Group meeting
• 4/16 – Primary Easter egg hunt
• 4/16 – Family Night event
• 4/18 – No school for students – staff workday