Grade 4A
Embedded Files
IDENTITY
IDENTITY
This year the Grade 4A class has been exploring the concept of Identity. While looking at themselves and what is important to them, the students have been drawing comparisons between their own experiences and those of the Indigenous Peoples of British Columbia when the Europeans first came to North America. While examining their own lives and identifying what elements shape their own identity (family, culture, traditions, language, etc.) they have also been looking at the history of the Indigenous Peoples of BC. The goal of these activities was for students to empathize with the Indigenous Peoples of BC whose identity was taken away from them through the process of colonization.
We watched the documentary, Marie’s Dictionary (This short documentary tells the story of Marie Wilcox, the last fluent speaker of the Wukchumni language and the dictionary she created in an effort to keep her language alive) and compared it to the story Stolen Words by Melanie Florence. Both mediums helped the students to gain a better understanding of how language influences identity.
Our virtual field trip to the Museum of Anthropology helped us to see the importance of the land to the Indigenous Peoples who lived here. We gained a better understanding of how the land provided so much of their basic needs, and how it shaped their identity. To further our understanding, we then looked at how the land provided shelter, clothing and food for the Indigenous groups.
A People Connected to the Land
The students continued developing their core competencies of personal and social responsibility by exploring self-identity, acknowledging cultural differences, and honouring indigenous traditions. As they worked together to complete projects through research and ADST, they strengthened their critical and creative thinking skills and became more aware of the importance of being confident and empathetic collaborators and communicators.
Coast Salish.mov
Copper Inuit.mov
Dunne za.mov
Haida.mov
Sec.mov
Stolo.movConnecting to the Land Through Science
This art activity, that involved both science and social studies, connected the students’ understanding of the Earth’s moon phases and the 13-moon calendar of the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Each moon of the 13-moon calendar is unique to different Indigenous groups. The names of the moons across all Indigenous groups represented aspects of the land that they observed during different times of the year. For example, the students learned that one of the moons was called the Falling Leaves moon that appeared during the month of October. Other moons represented aspects of their culture like food, hunting and transportation. Based on the Indigenous story Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back by Joseph Brucha and Jonathan London, the students decorated turtle shells by making drawings for each of the 4 seasons that related to important aspects of their life.
Connecting to Identity
Identity.mp4While practicing empathy, students chose one word to describe how they would feel if they had their identity taken away.
While practicing empathy, students chose one word to describe how they would feel if they had their identity taken away.
Royalty Free Music from Bensound
Identity Happy.mp4Students reflected on how they feel when they are celebrated for who they are.
Students reflected on how they feel when they are celebrated for who they are.
Royalty Free Music from Bensound
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