Importance of Buffalo

Lesson #9 April 3, 2017

30min
GENERAL OUTCOMES
Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the role of stories, history
and culture in strengthening communities and contributing to identity and a sense of
belonging.
SPECIFIC OUTCOMES
Valuing and respecting their own and other cultural identities
Demonstrate respect for places and objects of historical significance
How do buildings, historical sites and institutions reflect the establishments and cultural
diversity of communities in Alberta (i.e., Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Writing-on-
Stone Provincial Park)
SKILL AND PROCESS OUTCOMES (FOR SOCIAL)
4.S.8 demonstrate skills of oral, written and visual literacy: create visual images for particular
audiences and purposes
4.S.1 develop skills of critical thinking and creative thinking: generate original ideas and
strategies in individual and group activities

CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS
Language Arts
1.1 discover and explore
o Ask questions, paraphrase and discuss to explore ideas and understand new
concepts
2.2 respond to texts
o Make general evaluative statements about oral, print and other media texts
Art
Component 10 (i) PURPOSE 1: Students will record or document activities, people and
discoveries.
o Knowledge gained from study or experimentation can be recorded visually
NUMERACY/LITERACY; ENGAGED/ETHICAL/ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDENT
(a) Know how to learn: to gain knowledge, understanding or skills through experience, study, and
interactions with others
(e) innovate: create, generate and apply new ideas or concepts

KAGAN STRATEGIES/INSTRUCTIONAL INTELLIGENCES

Think, pair, share

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES/LEARNING STYLES

Visual-spatial, interpersonal

BLOOMS TAXONOMY GUIDING QUESTIONS (INQUIRY)

 Judge the value of the buffalo and what it provided to the aboriginal culture?
What influence do these sites have on Alberta?
MATERIALS MANIPULATIVES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aKqjrgz92w- Uses of Buffalo Video smartboard

Social text p.176
Powerpoint
3 stickies for each student

TEACHER ACTIVITIES

Anticipatory Set (Hook)

Recall some of the different reasons that the Blackfoot tribe would have settled in this area of
Medicine Hat (food sources, resources, etc) (hopefully discussion leads to buffalo-if not teacher
needs to guide conversation towards buffalo)

Practice/Development
Buffalo Jumps, Buffalo Pounds
o Students will think, pair, share about what they think a buffalo jump and
buffalo pounds are
Powerpoint
o Have students come up and read powerpoint for BUFFALO POUND AND
BUFFALO JUMO Emphasize that these were important activities, which
allowed the Blackfoot people to access many of the things that they needed to
survive.
o Buffalo jump by saamis teepee (used by the blackfoot)
o Head Smashed In and the Buffalo Jump (very famous buffalo jump located in
the foothills of alberta)

Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump

o Text p.176 read
-3 stickies as they are reading write down three things you found interesting and
stick them on the book (if done early draw a picture on your sticky)
-once everyone is done (share your interesting facts with the person beside you)
-class discussion of some of the stickies
o Show Students 360 Virtual Tour of Head Smashed In
o Legend of head smashed in buffalo name

Check for Understanding

3 stickies

Closure/Reflection
 Reflect on how their ideas of what buffalo jumps and buffalo pounds have changed
with this new information
-add anything new to KWL cart
MODIFICATIONS and EXTENSIONS
Add an additional stickie
Read stories of aboriginals that are available in the classroom
EVALUATION and ASSESSMENT
3 stickies
KWL
NOTES AND REVISIONS