Feature
August
18
Teacher Injects Cajun Culture into Lesson
by Michelle Gautreaux
When the newest kindergarten class walked through the screen door of Denise Alfred’s classroom, the young students knew they were in for a few surprises.
“They have a preconceived idea of what a classroom looks like, and this doesn’t look like the normal classroom,” said Yvonne Weimer, principal at Maria Immacolata Catholic School in Houma, about the Cajun-inspired learning environment.
In her five years at Maria Immacolata, Alfred has approached the task of teaching young minds how to read and write with lessons every other kindergartener is learning.
But she does it with a twist.
“In my class I don’t want them to just learn the basics,” Alfred said. “At this age they are like sponges and soak up everything you give them. This is the perfect time to introduce them to the French language and help them to better appreciate their culture.”
In a typical kindergarten classroom, children recite their ABCs, numbers, days of the week and maybe even a little vocabulary. But Alfred’s class factors in culture as well. Her students not only hear their lessons in English, but also in French. And it doesn’t stop there. They learn the basics in French, and they also learn to read music and experiment with the rhythms and beats of Cajun music.
“There was a time when our culture was falling by the wayside,” Weimer said. “Alfred has livened that up for the children.”
Guests like Ron “Black” Guidry sing to the students while the classroom’s atmosphere sets the right mood. The walls paint a picture of the swamp—fishing nets, moss, trees, murals of Cajun scenery and a few animals join colorful calendars and bulletin boards to create a unique scene in their learning environment.
The reading corner showcases the children’s favorite character, Allelujah the alligator, or Al for short. He sits on his pirogue and wharf, where the children are encouraged to join him when they want to read.
“I’m inspired by our Cajun culture and thought it would be perfect to play upon in the classroom,” Alfred said. “I’m always on the search to integrate something familiar or even unfamiliar into the lessons.”
Karen Williams, a kindergarten paraprofessional at the school, said Alfred regularly takes classes and spends time at a computer learning new information about the culture to share with the children.
“The kids soak it up,” Williams said. “It’s constant, active learning. It’s not just sit-down book learning. When they’re playing, it becomes a way of life for them.”
Each year, Alfred encourages both the children and their parents to participate in publishing a book that compiles material learned throughout the school year. Past books have featured letters, numbers, shapes and vocabulary, all translated in French.
“I try to incorporate as many cultural influences in the activities we do daily to help them experience and give a hands-on take of the language and culture,” Alfred said.
To achieve her goal, Alfred uses a lot of cultural pieces that meet the educational standards set by the state, such as the book “Today is Monday in Louisiana” by Johnette Downing. The book teaches sequencing as well as the days of the week.
When the children learn about the alphabet, each child is given a letter. Alfred calls out a letter, and the child holding the letter tosses it to her so she can catch it in her net.
“You see things click,” Williams said. “They’ll learn how to say a word, and they get it.”
Alfred’s never-ending curiosity to explore other areas continues to expand as she attends conferences and researches how to merge technology with culture. Her Smart Board has become a valuable addition to the classroom, and she is seeking other educational avenues offered by a website or a blog.
Alfred refuses to allow education to become routine. She reaches for more—inspired by culture and her mission to integrate the Cajun way of life into the early lessons that form the foundation of tomorrow’s young minds.
