Ms. Aujla's Grade 5 Promising Practice

Promising practice

Learning outcome 

Ms. Aujla’s Grade 5 class began their unit of study on Residential Schools in Canada by reading the story book, “Shi-shi-etko” by Nicola I. Campbell. In the book, the main character, Shi-shi-etko and her grandmother collect plants in a small bag. As Shi-shi-etko collects plants, her grandmother explains to her the importance of each plant, for example, whether it is food or medicine. Shi-shi-etko collects these plants in her bag so she will remember what they are used for when she leaves for Residential school. Shi-shi-etko calls this her “bag of memories.” Students used their own personal experience and knowledge to connect to this story book by creating their own Memory Bag. Students collected plants that had a special memory for them or that they knew something about. Students then drew these plants onto their own Memory Bag and wrote down their memory or fact associated with it.  

Core competency (English Language Arts) 

• Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world. 
• Use personal experience and knowledge to connect to text and deepen understanding of self, community and world

Connection to First Peoples’ Principles of Learning (English Language Arts)

• Identify how story in First Peoples cultures connects people to land