I was very impressed with the first activity we did as a group during the First Nation Metis and Inuit workshop. It involved all of the students interactively, as they participated in a visual interpretation of First Nation Metis and Inuit history. For many students this activity was the first time they actually understood the history of European colonialism and First Nations relationships. While they could have been taught the proclamation, much legislation was foreign to them such as the Indian Act, and the Enfranchisement Act.
The activity started as a group of Individuals, strong, proud and free in so many ways and ended with segregation which is still a part of our life as Canadian Citizens. Students were actually feeling what it may have felt to be First Nation people and what it feels like today. This was shown in the non-directed actions of the students, as they unthinkingly backed away from the European oppressors after watching what contact with them had had on their family of fellow students. It was shown as arms were placed on neighboring shoulders as if to say WE ARE ONE and WE BAND TOGETHER. Together they made a small circle of strength but no matter how much they held together, the group’s strength was not enough to fight off the advances of European Colonist from breaking down their wall of strength. It was seen in the constant battle as they would try to unfold their blankets which represented their land, only to have it refolded, smaller and smaller by the European colonists. In the end, no matter their endurance of fighting, they were divided and segregated into small portions, instead of what was once a great and large nation. She talked about her students and their want of change, want to be heard, want to be recognized and the want to be given a chance to succeed in a world dependent on being educated. If anything in the world should touch your heart, those pleas of young students who know they are disadvantaged from birth should motivate us to change our paths and direction. But this can be hard. I keep thinking of Scott’s comment whey he said they don’t need a saviour teacher. How do we get away from the Saviour way of thinking but find the change we all need so all students have the advantage and means for success? When I think about it, my desire is to make a difference, to help them find the success they want. I have no desire to change their ideas, beliefs or who they are, only to give them a chance. The rest of the workshop was a little rushed because of time. However the pictures and stories she showed us helped us relate to them more. It is amazing to see the young students also recognize a need for change, because they are feeling disadvantaged and the want the outside world to know and recognize their need and help change it. It is very true, change starts with us. As educators we must exemplify the need for change and include FNMI content into the classroom. For me as a teacher of language and literacy, the Literature Fair was a wonderful experience because it opened up possibilities into literature for different curriculum and activities. The Keynote speaker had many great suggestions into using Literature to teach a special and sensitive topic. Having the literature reflect the message accurately was a specific note from the author.
I also enjoyed the sessions. Mrs Chief Moustache was a great speaker and I learned a lot about story telling. The use of props and the drum, memorizing the story, and setting the mood are reflected on great story techniques and some beliefs of Native Americans. I thought the session for Boys and Literature was going to be informative, but I was a little disappointed. The only thing I got out of it was series books are good and keep trying. Session 1. Social Studies and Literature Book Title Sierra and Blue Series Grade 2, Community and Home My home is Southern Alberta, Laverne is 15 min. from my house. My mother works 3 min. from Laverne. I would use this book to show a small part of where I am from. Session 2. First Nation Metis and Inuit Book Title, Voices from the Wild by David Bouchard Curriculum Ideas, ELA, Science and Animal Study, Art, Social Studies or Aboriginal Studies. This book is a poetry book about Animals with great illustration so I would use for either of the mentioned curriculum. I am not one to pick a favorite thing or what I liked best. I enjoyed the speaker Kathy Kacer, because her work reflects history and I am interested in history, I enjoyed most of the sessions because the topics which again were for the most part reflected in history. My "I AM FROM" poem Is located under my Home module, below is my reflection about the assignment
Reading to me has always been a part of my life. There were times when I would stay up all night just to finish a book, because it had captured my attention so thoroughly. I love books so much I could have my own private mini library with all the books I own. In a way, I believe it helped me escape things I didn't like about my life as I would dive into a different world where new things would happen.
However, just because I love reading doesn't mean I was a very good at English classes, even though I did quite well on novel studies I lacked the great grades of Comprehension. I have struggled In ELA since I was in grade school. I would be pulled out of class to work with EAs or attend a special class with a few other students. But it was so important to my parents for me to have the comprehension or reading skills necessary my mother took it upon herself to read out loud with us. She would attend book fairs and buy 4-5 books, and then as a family we would take turn reading the book out loud. It may not have increased my comprehension greatly but it gave me confidence to read out loud. and fluency. So why Literature? I believe to be fluent in reading is a reflection also of speaking. In many aspects of life, it is necessary for us to stand up and speak what thoughts we wish to convey about certain subjects. Literature helps make that possible. As we have begun to study the importance of Literature I can see how it threads and maneuvers its way into so much other Curriculum then just ELA. This really hit me when I was living in California and met a women who was illiterate. Her children could read better than her and was responsible to help her in reading. Some daily tasks were hard for her because of this illiteracy. From cooking to reading prescriptions for her children. This helped me realize the importance of Literature in all aspects of Life. |
J. Chantal BeazerI am a Professional Educator with a Bacholor degree in General Humanities, my stream of study was in Native American Studies and French and Spanish Literature. Archives
November 2016
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