Past and Present

Kids learn about American Indian life at a school in Minnesota.

An American Indian boy dances at a special event in his community.

Rayna Goggleye-Paulson is in third grade. Rayna has classes in reading, writing, and math. But she also learns about American Indian drumming and dancing. She studies the Ojibwe (o-jib-way) and Lakota languages, too.

Rayna goes to the American Indian Magnet School (AIMS). It is in St. Paul, Minnesota. Students at AIMS learn about American Indian history and traditions.

This young dancer from AIMS wears traditional clothing.

“Ojibwe and Lakota teachings are part of what we do in school every day,” Tamara Goggleye told TFK. She is Rayna’s mom. She is also an AIMS second-grade teacher.

A drumming group meets with AIMS students.

Lessons for All

Other schools in the United States teach American Indian culture × culture GETTY IMAGES (kul-cher) the beliefs and practices shared by a group of people ( ) In Japanese culture, it is common to bring a gift when invited to a person’s home. . But AIMS may be the only school at which kids learn two American Indian languages.

AIMS is different in other ways, too. It is a public school. All kids in the community can go there. It has 680 students. About 160 of them are American Indian.

Students play a Native American game at school.

“It’s important for all people to know about the people who were here first,” says Tamara Goggleye, “and that they still live here today.”

For Rayna, studying American Indian culture at school is extra special. That is because she is American Indian. “It makes me feel proud,” she says.

Map It Out

The American Indian Magnet School is in St. Paul, Minnesota. Read the map. Then answer the questions.

1. True or false: Wisconsin is east of Minnesota.

2. What is one state that is west of Minnesota?

Think!

What is special about your family’s culture? Give examples.

Bright-blue beads decorate these shoes.

What’s the Pattern?

Beadwork is an important American Indian tradition. Colorful beadwork can be found on clothing, jewelry, and other objects. Look at the patterns. Pick the correct piece to complete them.