| Learning Cree Series was developed by the Samson Cree First Nation Education program for use in Kindergarten. The series consists of 12 full colour booklets and a 15-page teacher's guide. Each booklet introduces Plains Cree vocabulary according to a theme in an easy-to-follow method of matching pictures to words. The themes are: 1) Family 2) Numerals 3) Colours 4) Days of the Week 5) Months 6) Seasons 7) Foods 8) Animals 9) Clothing 10) Household Items 11) Parts of the Body 12) Buildings. The family theme introduces 22 Cree words such as my parents, my mother, my father, and my uncle (maternal). While students learn this basic vocabulary they are introduced to the basics of Cree kinship structure. The numbers theme introduces the numbers from one to twenty in Cree. The colours theme introduces 22 Cree terms for various colours. The days of the week theme introduces the Cree terms for each day of the week, as well as 24 phrases for what a child may do on each day. For example, on Tuesday, I go to the library, and on Wednesday, I bake bannock. The months theme introduces the Cree terms for each month, as well as a simple English translation. For example, November means frost moon, and July means birds molting moon. The seasons of the year theme introduces the Cree terms for each season, as well as additional phrases relating what a child might do during each season. The foods theme introduces the Cree terms for 45 common fruits, vegetables, and beverages. Where appropriate, singular and plural forms are provided. The animals theme introduces 45 Cree terms for various domestic and wild animals. Where appropriate, the terms for the baby animal are provided. The clothing theme introduces 17 Cree words for contemporary articles of clothing. Included are items such as cowboy boots, jacket, dress, socks, and shoes. The household items theme introduces 62 Cree words for contemporary household articles. Included are items found in the house, kitchen, living room, bathroom and laundry room. Included are items such as stove, washer, closet, television, spoon, mop, and clock. The parts of the body theme introduces 20 Cree words for parts of the body. Included are terms for head, legs, tooth, teeth, fingers, and feet. The buildings theme introduces 19 Cree words for public and private buildings found in most contemporary communities. Included are terms for hospital, restaurant, bingo hall, auto shop, and school . The simple drawings have English and Cree subtitles making this series useful for any age of reader. The books can also be purchased individually. |
