Science
Some background:
Fundamental to the science curriculum is helping students understand the concepts of Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. FNESC has published a Science First Peoples Teacher Resource Guide and it provides an excellent introduction to perspectives in science. This is an excellent place for all primary teachers to start to build their own understandings. It gives an excellent description of Indigenous Knowledge (interconnectedness, sense of place, language, place names, and traditional ecological knowledge).
Resources:
Fundamental to the science curriculum is helping students understand the concepts of Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. FNESC has published a Science First Peoples Teacher Resource Guide and it provides an excellent introduction to perspectives in science. This is an excellent place for all primary teachers to start to build their own understandings. It gives an excellent description of Indigenous Knowledge (interconnectedness, sense of place, language, place names, and traditional ecological knowledge).
Resources:
Resources
- FNESC'S Science First Peoples Guide for Grades 5-9: this is a free resource developed by the First Nation Education Steering Committee. You can download it from this link or go to their website if you wish to order a hard copy ($25). Click here
- Authentic Indigenous Resources to support the Science Curriculum K-7
http://www3.sd71.bc.ca/School/abed/resources/teacher/Pages/Seasons.aspx#/=
Resources related to the Sea/salmon
- Great Bear Sea Curriculum: For grades 4-7 - complete lesson plans related to the film This is a great resource and has just been released. It includes links to segments of a 90 minute video that relate to specific lesson plans. All lessons are explored through in inquiry lens.
- Nuu-Chah-Nulth Ocean Animals - Colouring books with links relating to other resources
- http://www.uuathluk.ca/web_sara_colouring_book.pdf
- http://uuathluk.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Proof3_UAT-Colouring-Book-Feb2014.pdf
Resources from the Toronto Zoo that make connections to Indigenous content.
Making Paper from Invasive Plants - The Invasive Paper Project
NEW! This is an interesting lesson plan for grade 2 science and relates to water and tides!
- Climate Change Adaptation: - Traditional Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples Inhabiting the Arctic and Far North. Click here
- A great comprehensive unit plan on making FN Paddles - grades 4-7
- https://sierraclub.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Going-Wild-Guidebook.pdf- A collaborative project of the Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative, Sierra Club BC, and the Centre for Non-Timber Resources at Royal Roads University
- Resources from the Toronto Zoo that make connections to Indigenous content.
- Download a copy of this file related to Canada's Arctic Marine Life. It provides lots of information about the Inuit and how marine life is an important food source.
- The Elders Are Watching - Roy Henry Vickers - quicktime movie!
- Download a draft copy of Heidi Wood's unit overview for Roy Henry Vickers books- connecting learning standards (math and science) through story telling.
- Want ideas for developing inquiry boxes? Download a copy of samples for inquiry boxes related to First Peoples Science
Seasonal Rounds
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- 13 Moons of the WSANED (Saanich People). This resource examines the activities that Saanich People did in each season (seasonal rounds) Saanich and Semiahmoo people share the same language. They both speak Sencoten. A related resource are Sto:lo Seasonal rounds cards. Cards ----- Information sheet ----- large cards
- Feasting Toolkit - this link takes you to a short movie that talks about the importance of food fish and harvesting. There are downloadable ebooks available too.
- Forces and Simple Machines - integrating Aboriginal content. This resource is a good start but looking at Aboriginal technology from only a historical perspective is not sufficient. It is important to emphasize that Aboriginal peoples' technologies have changed. The emphasis in this unit could be the innovation that Aboriginal people had prior to contact. Compare their innovations with other existing cultures.
- Salmon dissection - a template for students
- The evolution of Halibut Hooks
- The Halibut Hook revival www.hakaimagazine.com/features/the-halibut-hook-revival/
Links Relating to sustainable resources
- Since Time Immemorial - Stewardship
- The Learning Circle
- Protecting our Sacred Water by Jane Goodall Institute: Supporting First Nations, Métis and Inuit Youth to make Positive Changes in their Communities: A Guide for Educators and Youth Program Facilitators
- My River, My Home (Developed by Fraser River Development Centre) - free pdf
Supporting video: https://vimeo.com/106639607 - Water, The Sacred Relationship - excellent website with numerous videos relating to relationship between Indigenous People and the environment.
- Saltwater News - Kii.ngaay Taang.aay (Haida Nation)
- By the Light of the Candlefish - Margo Pfeiff explores the ancient, and very much alive, relationship between First Nations and fish runs in B.C.
- 3.500 year old Clam Gardens (Global News) discovered - learn the significance of how clam gardens were used - click here
- Sea Urchins and kelp beds - healthier ecosystems (Hakai Magazine) : access video and article click here
Sacredrelationship.ca website!
- AMAZING videos related to the sacred relationship we have with water. Science teachers, here are some of the titles: sacred relationship, creation story, people of the land, eco despair, ceremony and identity, tea of life, rubber boots ... This is from www.sarcredrelation.ca Amazing sample lesson plan too!
Learning from the sky: Stars, Moon, Sun and Universe
- Nasa and the Navajo Nation partner to understand the Universe - space - click here
Exploring Inuit Culture - lesson plans and downloads - click here