Grade 7A

Exploring the Oral Narrative Traditions

of the

Indigenous Peoples of Canada

The Grade Seven students explored Canadian Indigenous People's oral narrative traditions through a range of written and audio-visual texts created by Canadian Indigenous authors and artists. They also learned and practiced a range of digital photography techniques photographers utilize when creating scenes or art. As a culminating demonstration of their learning, the students collaborated and combined these two concepts to create an oral retelling of an Indigenous narrative depicting histories, lessons, and ancestral knowledge. They supported their oral retelling with their own photographs which they created by selecting and applying some of the learned techniques, processes, and principles in photographic artistry.

Students focused on the Curricular Competency of using and experimenting with oral storytelling processes within the English Language Arts curriculum. They practiced sharing stories from memory, using vocal expression to clarify the meaning of a text, differentiating the storyteller’s voice from the characters’ voices, presenting the story efficiently, keeping the listener’s interest throughout, and using an expanding repertoire of techniques to enhance the audience's experience. Students demonstrated recognition and appreciation for the role of story, narrative, and oral tradition in expressing First People's perspectives, values, beliefs, and points of view.

Students developed the Core Competency of Positive Personal and Cultural Identity, specifically their understanding that identity is influenced by many aspects including experiences, family history and heritage.

Below are the final videos the Grade 7A students have created retelling an Indigenous narrative supported with the photos they, themselves have taken. We hope you enjoy them.