“I am not a number”

Social Studies
Room. 125, Ms Pearson
April 25, 2017
8:40-9:55
Grade 3 and 4
Lesson #3 of 3
~75 minutes

LESSON SEQUENCE
 Gather at carpet; bring their social studies books with them
 Begin lesson by asking them if they remember the question we asked them to respond to
after our last discussion
o “How have residential schools and the experiences of First Nations people
changed our thinking in the present?”
 Ask them why they had a difficult time answering this question, even though the past two
lessons provided answers to this question and we had brainstormed about the topic
o Was it because it was phrased differently or used different words?
o Was it such a big concept and question that it was too hard to write a quick
response?
Ask if any students want to share their response to the question.
Ask is any students have questions since our last discussion.

From our brainstorming last week we came up with ideas about what a safe and comfy
school is like, we will now be comparing those ideas to what we know about residential
schools and creating a Venn Diagram.
Explanation of activity:
 Do you remember what a Venn Diagram is? It shows the similarities and differences
between two things.
 We have Hula Hoops for each table group to create a visual Venn diagram so when you go
back to your table group clear your whole table off and we will provide the hoops once it is
clear, put your social studies notebook on your chair.
 Once you have the hoops you will be provided words and pictures that describe or show
residential schools and schools today.
 You must also identify a title or label for each group of things.
 You will have to categorize the words and images and agree as a group where they belong.
 Once you have placed all the words and images we will come around.
 We will come around to give two blank strips per person at your group that you must fill in
(one for each section) - must be a new word or sentence to describe residential schools and
your modern day school.
If students complete their individual Venn diagram they will be brought back to the floor.
 Discuss how the groups came to a consensus
 Were there any images, words or phrases that were hard to classify?
 Did your group disagree about any of them?
Complete the Venn diagram as a class using the Smartboard and taping the words/images to it.

**Lesson#4- Read the back of “I am not a number”

ACTIVITY

 Creating a Venn diagram in groups based on the concepts we have been discussing.
 Categorizing words and images.

BIG IDEAS/TAKE-HOME MESSAGE/Objective of lesson

 Students will be able to identify and categorize characteristics of residential Schools and
their modern day schools.
 Students will collaborate and reach agreement on where the different words and images
belong.
 Students will understand similarities and differences between residential schools and
schools today.

PROGRAM OF STUDIES

Alberta: The Land, Histories and Stories

4.1 Alberta: A Sense of the Land 4.2 The Stories, Histories and People of Alberta
 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.
Dimensions of Thinking
 Use primary sources to broaden understanding of historical events and issues
Values and Attitudes
4.2.1 appreciate how an understanding of Alberta’s history, peoples and stories contributes to
their own sense of belonging and identity:
 Recognize the presence and influence of diverse Aboriginal peoples as inherent to
Alberta’s culture and identity (CC, I, TCC)
Knowledge and Understanding
4.2.2 assess, critically, how the cultural and linguistic heritage and diversity of Alberta has
evolved over time...
4.3 Alberta: Celebrations and Challenges
Values and Attitudes
4.3.1 appreciate the factors contributing to quality of life in Alberta:
 demonstrate respect for the rights, opinions and perspectives of others (C, I)

DIFFERENTIATION

 Individual support will be provided as Ms. C and Ms. H circulate the classroom.

ASSESSMENT

 Students will provide peer feedback as they discuss and agree where images and words
go.
 Formative assessment will be provided as needed to groups and individual students to
ensure students are on the right track.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS
  Hula- Hoops.
 Words and images representing residential schools and modern schools.
 Smartboard.

Reflection

- This lesson went really well and students were engaged in the discussion around what
makes a safe and comfy school
- Venn diagram activity encouraged a lot of discussion around what words/images fit
where
- Some students disagreed on the concepts provided for the Venn diagram
- Early finishers were given crap pieces of paper and asked to make new words or pictures
for the different categories
- We used exit slips for students to ask questions following the lesson
- A lot of the students had some really deep questions regarding why children were treated
the way they were and why school was such a scary place
- Students also expressed that they were happy their school was safe and comfy