Authentic Learning: Movement and the Landforms of the San Juan Southern Piute Tribe of Utah

Third grade students in Mrs. Lovell’s class at Edgemont Elementary School experienced deep learning through movement and Social Studies content. Guest teaching artist, Lauren Evans, teaches about the San Juan Southern Piute Tribe of Utah to “identify the geographic features common to areas where human settlements exist.” (Objective 1 in the Social Studies content area). The students demonstrated the Fine Arts Dance standard, “Experiment with a variety of self-identified stimuli for movement, and explore a given movement problem by improvising, selecting, and demonstrating possible solutions.” Students had deepened understanding of the “relationships between human settlement and geography,” gaining an awareness and respect for the Native American San Juan Southern Piute Tribe of Utah. One student commented about the experience, “I didn’t know they existed.” (See links below to the standards.) This opportunity was provided through the Native American Curriculum Initiative (NACI). 

• Native American Curriculum Initiative
• Utah Core Social studies Standards
• Additional teaching artists to invite into your classroom