Grade 3B

In Grade 3B, we have been exploring the BIG IDEA that learning about Indigenous peoples nurtures multicultural awareness and respect for diversity. In particular, in learning about past and contemporary events, we have been developing our ability to make value judgements. We have done this through an exploration of traditional Indigenous culture, paying special attention to Indigenous world views encompassing the importance of such things as oral tradition, land and place, story, language, and the idea that culture is important. Through our exploration, we have come into contact with Indigenous belongings and used our critical thinking skills to identify how they were used. We have examined the importance of traditional celebrations such as the Potlatch, and taken part in virtual field trips to enhance our understanding of Indigenous society.

How were Indigenous Peoples affected by the settlers?

COL Video.mp4

The Process of Creating Our Videos

A lot of background work went into creating our videos. Students used their collaboration competencies to work with their peers to brainstorm ideas centred on the question: "How were Indigenous Peoples affected by settlers?" They needed to work together to come up with content for their brainstorm, and then decide on which areas that they intended to present on. They used their critical thinking skills to identify how Indigenous Peoples were affected by the settlers. They also developed their social awareness competency by developing an appreciation for diversity through their examination of the hardships the Indigenous Peoples faced when their culture was threatened by newcomers. Students needed to apply their communication competency to develop their ideas and write the script for their videos. Finally, they used their oral presentation skills to convey their thoughts through spoken language.

Sienna.mp4

Mara, Tamsen & Sienna

Sero, Michael & Kaya.mp4

Kaya, Michael & Sero

COL Video.mp4

Charlotte, Tryphena, Christina & Tristan

Jack Helena & Ivan.mp4

Jack, Ivan, and Helena

katelyn.mov

Alexandra, Katelyn & Leo

Carly, Maxwell, Angelo &Ava&B3AA-CA3D50F8952F 2.mp4

Carly, Ava, Maxwell & Angelo

Ethan #2.mov

Ethan, Evan & Marvin

Marcia.mov

James, Grace, Mia & Marcia

After watching the above videos, test your knowledge of Indigenous Peoples by taking the quiz with questions written by the by the Grade Three students. Most of the content is from their videos, but some is from other material they learned as well. Good luck!

Exploring Indigenous Culture

Planter Boxes

Through their explorations this year, 3B has become very aware of the importance of nature in relation to Indigenous culture. After studying the significance of the cedar tree to West Coast Indigenous cultures, they had the opportunity to work with a different wood to create a planter basket as part of Applied Design Skills and Technology. They worked hard to sand the individual pieces, follow set procedures, and use tools such as hammers and nails to create them. They are currently hoping that the seeds that they planted in their planters will take root and they will be able to enjoy their plants!

Indigenous Cedar Bark Weaving

Students in Grade 3B were able to experience first-hand the challenge of weaving using cedar bark. During a virtual visit to the classroom, Jess Silvey, an Indigenous artist, explained not only the importance of the cedar tree to the students, but also shared the process of weaving. Many students found this experience to be both taxing as well as rewarding. Although challenging to do, many were proud of their final product and all persevered through the challenge.

IMG_0594.MOV

Click the link above to see the Grade 3B students hard at work on their cedar bark weaving.

Discovery Boxes & Virtual Field Trip

We were able to make use of technology to explore Indigenous culture through our use of two discovery boxes - one was from the Museum of Anthropology, and the second was from the New Westminster Museum and Archives. Using the boxes, we explored belongings and used critical thinking skills to work on identifying how these belongings were used. We were able to experience traditional Indigenous foods and drink, ask questions, and explore artifacts without leaving the classroom!

From Time Immemorial

Using the discovery box from the Museum of Anthropology, we created a "living timeline" that stretched the length of the courtyard. We grew in our understanding that Indigenous culture had been present in North America for thousands of years before the coming of the settlers. Students stood as place markers on the timeline to indicate significant events in Indigenous history.

Integrating Literacy

We explored the book, "Secret of the Dance", which is based on the experiences of Chief John Scow and his brothers, to help develop our understanding of the hardships faced by Indigenous Peoples in preserving cultural celebrations such as the Potlatch. This story illustrated for the students the lengths that Indigenous Peoples went to to protect their culture, risking going to jail to hold on to their traditions and practices.

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