Tony Hillerman Learning Resources

Throughout his life, Tony Hillerman was engaged with education. From his formative years at St. Mary’s Academy (which he largely credits with his cultural understandings of Native American traditions and life) to his experience as a college professor, along with his many years of dedicated correspondence with young readers, Hillerman was committed to the connections between the written word and education. In order to honor his lifelong interest and continue introducing students to Hillerman’s work, we include this area of the website as a developing library of learning activities. These resources and activities are designed for students and teachers as a means by which to engage readers with Tony Hillerman's writings and with Southwest history, culture, and geography. The resources provided here are meant to supplement curricula at the primary and secondary school levels. Additional materials are meant to meet the requirements of early college courses. Included are creative exercises in storytelling, vocabulary builders, and writing assignments that are adaptable to a variety of age groups and educational levels.

     Hillerman Curriculum for Grades 6-8

This learning object contains 2 curriculum units for grades 6-8 that were developed in 2015 by Geneva Becenti, a UNM doctoral student in the Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies...

     Syllabus on Navajo Mysteries and Culture: The Four Corners with Tony Hillerman

Developed by Bruce Morrissey, Ph.D., this is the syllabus for a two-semester course in which the student should expect to read about 7 first class mystery novels each semester. While reading and...

     The Boy Who Made Dragonfly: Reading and Writing Exercises for Elementary School Students

This guide contains 6 reading and writing exercises for elementary students. Assignments are all adapted for use with the Boy Who Made Drogonfly. Assignments created by Emily Cammack and Diana Filar...

     What's Buster Up To? Create Your Own Story from Ernest Franklin's Illustrations

With this activity, students can create their own story plot and characters using Ernest Franklin's illustrations for Buster Mesquite's Cowboy Band.

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