Implementing Aboriginal Content Across the Elementary Curriculum

Implementing First Nations Content Across the Elementary Curriculum

Noreen Pankewich
Aboriginal Resource Teacher
School District No. 73
Kamloops

An inspirational little piece on the importance of involving your students and their families:

Ministry Aboriginal Learning Outcomes:

These outcomes have been extracted from the current Ministry of Education document. They are not add-ons, or solely for First Nations students.  All teachers are mandated to teach and assess to all students, as we would with any Prescribed Learning Outcome:

Best Practices for Teaching Aboriginal Students -some fantastic tips

Valuable on-line resource for the Secwepemc:

Good websites, student friendly:

Secwepemc Cultural Videos:

Check out Current Exhibit and Photo Gallery at Secwepemc Museum

Language Arts Ideas:

  • Using Storytelling as a Way of Knowing -an interesting document
  • Legends - there is a vast selection of First Nations legends and stories (several HGEC Kits).  Try to focus on local content of the Secwepemc
  • Various FN legends - local and other areas on CBC
  • HGEC Library now has a 2-disc CBC “Secwepemc Legends”
  • NEW Puppet Kit for primary students, with select local legends
  • NEW Shuswap Legends Kit with a class set of “Coyote as the Sun”
  • Great explanation of local Secwepemc Legends
  • More background information and several local Secwepemc Legends
  • Some more First Peoples Legends
  • Using FN Literature in the classroom
  • "Nanabush" legends videos from Eastern Canada
  • Many other First Nations legends in various kit forms in the HGEC Library
  • Readers Theatre: "Little Bear's Vision Quest"
  • TWINKLES HAPPY PLACE blog is a jackpot of ideas; check out her book list (go to her FN Book List and scroll down for middle school)                                                                
  • For some great lesson plans to go with children’s books look through SD 54 and contact Noreen for many more!   
  • A massive collection of FN content books with both primary and intermediate lesson plans available through the HGEC library, entitled: Strategies For Aboriginal Theme Books and High Interest Aboriginal Theme Books Strategies
  • FN Theme Book Bibliography 2006
  • FN  Theme Book Bibliography 2008
  • BC FN Theme Book Bibliography - with local content
  • NEW early primary Pearson (Turtle Island) guided reading sets in HGEC Library
  • Check out Orca Books for lesson plans to go with their fantastic selection of Sylvia Olsen “Young Readers” books to use in your class as well as Sononis Books for some more Sylvia Olsen lesson plans
  • Residential Schools – imposed assimilation and conversion-Seepeetza (HGEC Kit), Shi-shi-etko, Shin-chi’s Canoe (storybooks), As Long As the Rivers Flow, No Time to Say Goodbye, Goodbye Buffalo Bay, When the Spirits Dance, Fatty Legs…(several NEW intermediate literature circle titles pertaining to the  Residential School topic)
  • Seepeetza is a great read aloud for grades 3-4, but best kept as a novel study for intermediates
  • Larry Loyie Lesson Plans to go along with his novels
  • NEW Eaglecrest chapter books available in Lit. Circle format in the HGEC Library: Eagle's Cry,  Adventure on Gull Island, Hockey Challenge, Mountain Bike Adventure, Soccer Adventure, The Journey
  • Check out the Raven Tales Lesson plans  (Grade 7 & up) and Ravens Tales Teachings  - the integration of oral story telling in the Language Arts curriculum
  • A new collection of Ravens Tales Graphic Novels of  in the HGEC Library
  • Many FN Graphic novels in the HGEC Library
  • We have many Ravens Tales DVDs & Video tapes in the HGEC Library
  • Intermediate Novel Study kits
  • Raven’s Call – an unfinished story by Bill Reid
  • SET BC: Nicola Campbell’s “Shi-shi-etko”  and “Shin-chi’s Canoe” are available on this site
  • Métis authors

Science Ideas:

Math Ideas:

Social Studies Ideas:

Art Ideas:

PE Ideas:

  • On-line interactive material on FN games
  • Information on the game of Lahal
  • Some local info on Secwepemc games
  • More on games of the Secwepemc territory, as well as information on "Knobbies" and hand signals for Lahal 
  • Learn about skills for hunting and covering up tracks and endurance skills
  • Métis Games
  • FN Dance - invite a local dancer in to teach
  • Métis Dance: MNBC materials, CD’s DVD’s dance instruction included
  • History of Lacrosse

Drama/Music Ideas:

Healthy Choices Ideas:

French Ideas:

Computer Activities:

Special Education:

Additional

…some of the BEST information on respect and teaching cultural content availalble at : Guidelines for Respecting Cultural Knowledge

…and a FANTASTIC monthly newsletter with Lesson Plans and valuable teaching information at Promising  Practices in Aboriginal Education

...many, many lesson plans supported by video, online resources and well written lesson plans at Royal Conservatory Aboriginal Themed Lesson Plans

…check out the new Thompson Rivers University “AERO”  Aboriginal Educational Resources On-line

Check out the HGEC Library!  We have over 800 FN Resources available for loan to District 73 employees. Go to:

  • Choose Search Full Catalogue
  • Click on Mediagraphy and choose Aboriginal Resources
  • Further refine your search by clicking on Format and making a choice and Audience, and making a further selection
  • then Submit

Ask Anyone on our District FN Cultural Resource Team

Daryll Laboucan
Education & Cultural Coordinator

  • Speaks Cree fluently
  • Recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge and teachings
  • Talented drummer, singer, and dancer
  • Has lived in harmony off the land
  • Has first hand knowledge of treaties
  • Able to teach a variety of FN artwork, crafts, and he has extensive knowledge of tool making
  • Highly respectful of the local Secwepemc Territory and with permission he is learning local protocol, songs and other valuable Secwepemc traditions
  • Provides cultural workshops, lessons, and guidance to students in an effort to promote awareness, understanding and pride in our Aboriginal history, heritage and identity

Interior Indian Friendship Society
Kamloops B.C.
Phone number: 250-376-1296
Fax: 250-376-2275
daryll.laboucan@iifs.ca

Janet Deneault

  • Classroom presentations and mobile displays on hunting, fishing, foods, tools and technology, plants and medicines 
  • Self government, land claims, the history of Residential schools, and Secwepemc artifacts 
  • Hand drumming, songs and dance and traditional games, including Lahal
  • Kamloops Indian Band Museum and Heritage Park tours of the historical culture of the Secwepemc peoples’ past through to the present
  • Kamloops Indian Residential School tours offer insight into life at the old brick building, with history on the imposed government assimilation program, and Janet’s own personal experience as a survivor

Secwepemc Museum & Native Heritage Park
Phone: 250-314-1506
Fax: 250: 372-8833
 janet.deneault@kib.ca

Call or e-mail your ideas or inquiries to:
                    
Noreen Pankewich
School District No. 73     
Aboriginal Resource Teacher (K-12)
Phone: 250-376-2266   Ext. 218
npankewich@sd73.bc.ca

Deb Draney
School District No. 73
District Principal of Aboriginal Education
Phone: 250-374-0679
ddraney@sd73.bc.ca

Tags: