Recent Teaching

Letter from Penny Bird, Assistant Secretary for Indian Education, New Mexico Public Education Department

September 16, 2005

Anna Sofaer

The Solstice Project

222 East Marcy St.

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

Dear Anna:

I’m sorry that I cannot join you this weekend, as pressing responsibilities take precedence. However, I do want to express my encouragement and support for the efforts that continue with the Solstice Project. The work that is currently underway will provide much needed resources for students in any classroom. It is especially important for Native American students who require a meaningful context for understanding the curricular standards imposed upon them by state and federal systems.

I appreciate the ongoing research that the Chaco area provides for historical and contemporary study. Native American students can be strengthened by the legacy of knowledge that their ancestors have left through the application of modern technological tools that connect the past with the present. Especially important is how all of this can impact curricula across content areas as the information and resources are valuable for integrating math, science, social studies, language arts, and art.

My good wishes to all of you as you share a memorable experience in the beautiful Chaco setting.

Sincerely,

Penny Bird

Anna Sofaer shows how tracking shadows cast by a stick could have given astronomical directions to the Chacoans. No compass would be needed for the precise alignments of their buildings. From left: Jessie Gachupin, Jannalee Armstrong, Sonja Ashley, Warren Edaakie, Craig Lamy, Mike Daney, and Anna Sofaer	SIPI students study the beautiful kiva of Pueblo Bonito and the precise cardinal alignments of its internal features. From left: Jessie Gachupin, Warren Edaakie, Bannon Lomahquahu, Shirley Piqosa
Anna Sofaer points out the north-south alignment of Pueblo Bonito's mid-wall (arrow) to the sun at solar noon each day The students will observe the wall as it casts no shadow at solar noon.	At Pueblo Bonito's great kiva, Kirby Gchachu, SIPI teacher (second from left) with his students. From left: Craig Lamy, Kirby Gchachu, Jannalee Armstrong, Bannon Lomahquahu, Sonja Ashley, Jessie Gachupin, Warren Edaakie, Shirley Piqosa.