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Introduction

Curriculum Units:

Treaties

Traditional Games

Fur Trade

Northwest Rebellion

First Nations Past and Present

Authors

                    First Nations: Past and Present

Introduction:

  The following thematic unit focuses on content from First Nation peoples of the Plains, both Past and Present.  This unit was designed for teachers so that they may present information concentrating on one First Nations cultural group in an interactive manner with the development of  research skills off of the World Wide Web.  This unit was also designed so that students' become aware of the contributions and achievements that the First Nation peoples have made to Saskatchewan as well as Canada. Therefore, the experience to promote positive images and successes that First Nation peoples have been a part of.

Rationale:

        The purpose of this unit is to introduce students' to the "People of the Plains."  The students' will become familiar with Plains Cree housing, hunting techniques, animal usage, art forms, transportation, hand signals within the daily life of these versatile people.  This unit will foster meaningful experiences of both the past and present day First Nations people.  Students' will be given an opportunity to learn about the traditional way of life before European settlers arrived and then a contemporary way of life that was adopted by the First Nation people.  There are a variety of written and oral activities included with reference to the Saskatchewan Curriculum guides in Social, Language Arts, Physical  Education, Science, and Art.  This unit was developed around the grade four level but can easily be adapted to suit any grade.

    Assessment is primarily based on portfolios in writing and observation checklists in just about everything else.  The majority of evaluation will be the completion of worksheets and assignments, as well as, oral presentations to the class.  The time frame for this unit spans from 3-4 weeks but can be modified for any time frame. 

Foundational Objectives:

Cognitive: Students will...
- become familiar with a way of life with the First Nation peoples of the Plains in both traditional and contemporary situations.

Physical:  Students will...
- participate in manipulating their fine motor skills when learning the traditional Plains Cree hand signals.

Affective/Spiritual:  Students will...
- develop respect for the lives of the First Nation peoples of the Plains in both traditional and contemporary situations.
- develop an awareness and appreciation towards the First Nation peoples of the Plains.