Planing Overview
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Lesson Plans
Storytelling:
The Art of Knowledge
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Lesson One
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Lesson Two
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Lesson Three
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Lesson Four
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Lesson Five
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Background Info:
Explanation of
Terms and Process
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Planning for Learning: Overview

Storytelling - The Art of Knowledge  

(from the Museum of Civilization, www.civilization.ca/aborig/storytel/indexeng.html )

 

Purpose

The philosophical foundation of an Aboriginal worldview is readily found in the oral literary tradition of the Storyteller.   This set of lessons is designed to introduce students to the concept of how First Nations people transmitted cultural expectations through the use of storytelling.   The lessons will emphasize the First Nations oral tradition and how legends, myths and stories were used to pass down the traditions, the knowledge, the attitudes, values and beliefs.   The students will develop an understanding of how the storytelling method was used to explain, to teach and to entertain.   The students will explore the cultural ties and differences within Aboriginal nations.

The method used to produce these lessons is based on the design down model of curriculum design as adapted from Understanding By Design: Professional Workbook. Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins 2004.

In addition attention will be paid to the development of literacy skills as outlined in the Ontario Ministry of Education document, Think Literacy (a cross curricular document for grades 7-12).

 

Expectations/Outcomes

Planning for Learning (adapted from McTighe and Wiggins)

What are my students expected to learn?

(What are the most important ideas that I want my students to remember?)

Students will build on their prior knowledge to develop a deeper appreciation and knowledge of First Nations culture.

Students will demonstrate an awareness of, and respect for, the range of cultures, human behaviours, experience, emotions and ideas conveyed throughout the storytelling tradition.

Students will begin to understand how environment affects lifestyle and culture.

Critical Learning/big idea: Storytelling is the art of knowledge.   The oral tradition of the First Nations people is important to understanding the indigenous cultural heritage.

 

Students will understand that: Oral stories pass on the attitudes, values, beliefs, knowledge and history of First Nations people Different First Nations groupspassed along similar messages via their oral language tradition All cultures pass along knowledge from one generation to another	Guiding questions: What does the term knowledge mean? How do you determine what is knowledge? Why is storytelling an art? What made the stories worth telling generation after generation?
Students will know: Key facts about First Nations storytelling traditions That First Nations had a code of ethics that stressed honour and respect for all living things. That First Nations cultures had a deep sense of spirituality	Students will be able to: Recognize and identify knowledge passed along in First Nations storytelling Compare and contrast different stories from different First Nations groups to determine knowledge Express their findings orally and in writing

Links to curriculum:                                        

Native Studies, History, Geography, English

Links to Catholic Graduate expectations:

CE 1e, 1h, 2c, 6c, 7f, 7g

How will I know my students are learning:

• Use an Anticipation guide to assess students' prior knowledge and identify
learning goals for the unit

• Use Action strategies to inform and direct teaching strategies

• Revise the variety of First Nations stories by including stories from print,
video and oral stories on tape or DVD

• Include other fictional reading as it relates to the big idea

• Add non-fiction sources to accommodate various reading levels.  
Guide students in using a variety of resources to answer the guiding questions

• Look for primary sources on a variety of Web sites

Rich assessment tasks:

• Write a journal reflection to your editor, include in your reflection the
direction your   story is taking after listening to and reading examples from the First Nations people

• Create and perform a story in the First Nations oral story tradition,
to inform a younger sibling of expected behaviour at an important event

Enabling and or other assessment Evidence:

• Oral and written responses to one of the guiding questions

• Various strategies to ensure understanding and encourage discussion
(i.e. Venn diagram,   Hot Seat Think Aloud Anticipation Activities)

· Reflections

How will I help my students learn?

• Use of Literacy strategies to ensure understanding

• Include other stories to assist in comparing and contrasting

• Discussion

• Self assessment forms, Samples of work

• Journal responses, writing and oral storytelling rubrics

How will I track learning?   How will I report
and communicate learning?

• Use of Achievement Chart categories

• Systematic observation and conferencing: Anecdotal records

• Goal setting forms: Self assessment tools