The Aboriginal Nations Education Department has a list of books about each animal on their web site. Digital copies of Laurie Bayly's The Four Stones and The Footprints are available at these links.
As my part of the presentation, I prepared this annotated list of resources to use not only for teaching the animals but for integrating and reinforcing the concepts on an ongoing basis in the classroom. Many of these resources are Aboriginal, but not all of them. I believe that part of integrating Aboriginal ways of learning into multicultural classrooms is to relate the ideas to a variety of texts, both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal. In this way we can demonstrate to students that these Aboriginal ideas apply across situations and cultures to help us understand our roles, rights and responsibilities within our community.
http://bit.ly/2me8XcF |
This lush picture book provides First Nations images of the four animals of The Spirit of Alliances along with a brief description.
http://amzn.to/2lZWnwZ |
A beautiful book by Peggy Christian about the different types of rocks you might find - skipping rocks, wishing rocks, worry rocks, memory rocks.... This is a fun book to read before you go looking for rocks for the animal pictures. It explores the emotional connections we have to certain rocks because of the way they look or feel.
http://amzn.to/2leiZp5 |
Bear
https://tinyurl.com/jmgkr87 |
http://amzn.to/2lg4p19 |
Accessible non-fiction with facts about bears and how they look after themselves.
http://amzn.to/2l69p7S |
This story by Alison Gear in consultation with members of the Haida Nation outlines the seasons of the Haida Moon by following a year in the life of a bear. Asking the students to focus on the actions of the bear will guide them to thinking about how the bear cares for herself.
A Quiet Place by Douglas Wood is a lovely book about a child finding the perfect quiet place to just be himself.
This sweet story by Martin Waddell follows Big Bear and Little Bear as they go for a walk on a snowy day. All along the way, Little Bear is frightened by strange sounds. Big Bear comforts Little Bear each time and the two finally arrive home to the comfort of the big chair in their cave. It is great for introducing the idea of returning to a safe place to feel grounded and deal with problems calmly.
Wolf
https://tinyurl.com/grsd3ma |
The Wolf reminds us that we are interconnected and we are all related. This means that we are one with each
other and with the land. We take care of each other. We take care of this place. The Wolf helps us to remember
that everyone is welcome here. Our families and our community and our school all work together. This is our
strong circle of support.(Bayly, L. 2015. The four stones. Aboriginal Nations Education Division/GVSD61, Victoria, BC. p.10.)
http://amzn.to/2l6cOn3 |
Local author Diane Swanson provides this accessible non-fiction with basic facts about wolves and their social organization.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30209067-lupe |
This informational book by Rebecca L. Grambo written in a narrative style follows a wolf pup as she becomes socialized into her pack. I would choose specific sections of this long text to read aloud for students to illustrate how social wolves are.
http://amzn.to/2mr7GLs |
Shi-shi-etko is a powerful story of a girl leaving for residential school. The story of how Shi-shi-etko prepares to leave emphasizes her connection to the land and people of her home. The residential school curriculum for grade 5 on the ANED website has a great lesson plan for exploring the connection to place and community in this book.
http://bit.ly/2lQsiQm |
How Food Was Given, one of the stories in Kou-Skelowh published by Theytus Books, describes how each animal chief gave something so that the people would have food. "That is how giving and helping one another was and still is taught to our people." Students could discuss how each of them helps their community, how Skimheest set an example that others followed, how much more useful the gifts were when everyone gave something, that sometimes the smallest person can give the most important gift.
Despite having a bear as the main character, this powerful story exemplifies the gifts of wolf - kindness, respect, empathy, trust, patience, inclusiveness.
http://amzn.to/2ml6TfQ
Jacqueline Woodson's powerful story of a girl who does not speak up until it is too late and must live with the regret is a touching way to introduce the importance of using the gifts of wolf to keep our community safe.
Raven
https://tinyurl.com/gsb7j7v |
http://amzn.to/2mecR58 |
This Backyard Animals book is very accessible with useful facts about Ravens. (Note: The use of the term 'indian' in this book is appropriate for where it was published. In the US many First Nations people prefer to be addressed as American Indians.)
https://medicinewheel.education/ravens-feast/ |
http://amzn.to/2kROHgI |
Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd's story of Raven Brings the Light is a beautifully illustrated edition that highlights how Raven uses his special gifts to bring light to the people living in darkness.
http://amzn.to/2lwJ9Hb |
David Bouchard's Rainbow Crow (not a raven!) describes each animal's special talents and why the crow is chosen to visit the creator and ask for help. In using her special gift, her beautiful voice, to help the animals, Crow loses not only her voice, but her beautiful plumage, and nearly loses her life. In return for her selflessness, the creator rewards her with new gifts. Many editions of this book come with a CD of the story read by David Bouchard. The introduction is a wonderful piece teaching students how to listen respectfully to a story, being wholly present. I often read this part before introducing other stories too.
Salmon
https://tinyurl.com/zwsymf3 |
The Salmon reminds us of our courage and resilience. Even when something is very hard, the Salmon reminds us
that we will get through it. The Salmon knows how to move through the river and to navigate strong currents.
When we need help moving through different parts of our day, the Salmon can teach us. The Salmon knows the
way. (Bayly, L. 2015. The four stones. Aboriginal Nations Education Division/GVSD61, Victoria, BC. p.12)
http://amzn.to/2mdRcu6 |
Great non-fiction book about salmon to illustrate salmon's gifts.
http://amzn.to/2ly1FPy |
This lovely story reprinted from the 1920s describes the life of a salmon in folksy detail that brings to life the gifts of the salmon.
http://amzn.to/2lww2pk |
The Little Hummingbird by Michael Nicoll (Yahgulanaas) tells the story of a forest fire which frightened away all the animals except the little hummingbird who flew back and forth carrying a single drop of water to do all she could to stop the fire. The larger animals are inspired by her persistence and bravery and pitch in to carry water too.
No comments:
Post a Comment