How to do a Circle Say:



Unit by Dalila Vroom, Master TeacherMission Public School District, April 2016Mission, British Columbia The Seven Sacred Teachings are Values lessons from indigenous cultures. British Columbia is the home of many First Nations people who have generously shared their teachings. Although the Seven Sacred Teachings are common to most Native American cultures, each nation may have a slight difference in specific aspects of the teachings. We hope this unit shows appreciation to these indigenous teachings. Our intention is to honour the generous sharing from First Nations people.Curriculum Connections: See the "The Seven Sacred Teachings: Curriculum Connections - British Columbia Curriculum: Big Ideas, Connections & Content" book for learning outcomes matching the educational activities included with this unit.Use this Teacher’s Guide simultaneously with the Student Book.The lessons include a suggested story as a starting point for each of the Seven Sacred Teachings. The bibliography accompanying this unit suggests other stories that can be read to teach the concept of each value.Timeline: Lessons in this unit are intended to be taught one concept at a time. This could be one Sacred Teaching per day, per month or other.Materials needed: Use a document camera, LCD or overhead projector to project the booklet page on a screen so that everyone can work together simultaneously. Students will need a highlighter, student book, pencil, eraser and crayons to color.Lesson Sequence: 1. Read the story. 2. Complete "Circle Say" activity. 3. Work on "Student Book" activities.Circle Say: A traditional way for First Nations people to communicate with each other is in circle. The circle represents each individual as being equal, and allows each person to have a say. This is why the teacher will introduce each value with the start of an activity called “Circle Say” following the reading of each story.How to do a Circle Say:Choose an item (preferably from nature) to be a Talking Piece.Students sit in circle.Only the student with the Talking Piece gets to speak while everyone else gets to listen.Ask students the questions provided for each lesson.Students think and then put their hands on their head when they know what they want to say.When most students are ready to share, teacher passes the Talking Piece to left to start.Students can say, “Pass” if they need more time and they can have a turn at the end.After the lesson’s Circle Say, students are now ready to go to the matching lesson page of the Student Book.Student Book: The purpose of the student book is to have students read for information and to choose important facts to summarize.Read the entire selection orally as a class.Next read the first paragraph together.Ask students: What does this mean? What is being said? Encourage discussion to make meaning.Choose and highlight the important points together with the students. Repeat #2, #3, #4 for each paragraph.Together as a class, summarize each paragraph, having students copy the work from the screen / board.Students then: Color the symbol.Draw the symbol. Add details such as a background drawing of a setting for the symbol.Teacher Reads: Raven’s Greatest Creation: Gaagaagi Ogichi-Gikendaasowin by David BouchardCircle Say: Class discussion about the book using a talking piece.Round 1: What responsibility does Raven give the animals?Round 2: What have you learned from animals?Round 3: What else would you like to say about the story?Student Book: Students are now ready to go to the Introduction page of the Student Book.Teacher Reads: The Just Right Gift: A Story of Love by Katherena VermetteCircle Say: Class discussion about the book using a talking piece.Round 1: Why do you think it was important for Migisi to find the perfect gift for his Gookom (grandparent)?Round 2: Think of someone you Love. What would be the perfect gift for that person?Round 3: What else would you like to say about the Sacred Teaching of Love?Student Book: Students are now ready to go to the Eagle Teaches us Love page of the Student Book.Teacher Reads: Kode’s Question: A Story of Respect by Katherena VermetteCircle Say: Class discussion about the book using a talking piece.Round 1: What did Kode learn about Respect?Round 2: What does Respect look like to you? Round 3: What else would you like to say about the Sacred Teaching of Respect?Student Book: Students are now ready to go to the Buffalo Teaches us Respect page of the Student Book.Teacher Reads: The First Day: A Story of Courage by Katherena VermetteCircle Say: Class discussion about the book using a talking piece.Round 1: How does Makwa find his Courage?Round 2: How have you shown Courage? Round 3: What else would you like to say about the Sacred Teaching of Courage?Student Book: Students are now ready to go to the Bear Teaches us Courage page of the Student Book.Teacher Reads: Misaabe’s Stories: A Story of Honesty by Katherena VermetteCircle Say: Class discussion about the book using a talking piece.Round 1: Do you think it is O.K. for Misabbe to tell his stories? Why or why not?Round 2: Why is it important for you to be Honest? Round 3: What else would you like to say about the Sacred Teaching of Honesty?Student Book: Students are now ready to go to the Sabe Teaches us Honesty page of the Student Book.Teacher Reads: Amik Loves School: A Story of Wisdom by Katherena VermetteCircle Say: Class discussion about the book using a talking piece.Round 1: Why does Amik bring his Moshoom, his grandfather, to school? Round 2: Do you know someone who is wise? How do you know they are wise?Round 3: What else would you like to say about the Sacred Teaching of Wisdom?Student Book: Students are now ready to go to the Beaver Teaches us Wisdom page of the Student Book.Teacher Reads: Singing Sisters: A Story of Humility by Katherena VermetteCircle Say: Class discussion about the book using a talking piece.Round 1: What was the conflict between the two sisters? How did they solve the problem?Round 2: How can you show Humility? Round 3: What else would you like to say about the Sacred Teaching of Humility?Student Book: Students are now ready to go to the Wolf Teaches us Humility page of the Student Book.Teacher Reads: What is Truth, Betsy? A Story of Truth by Katherena VermetteCircle Say: Class discussion about the book using a talking piece.Round 1: What did Betsy learn about Truth?Round 2: Why is it important for you to be Truthful? Round 3: What else would you like to say about the Sacred Teaching of Truth?Student Book: Students are now ready to go to the Turtle Teaches us Truth page of the Student Book.Here are two suggested activities to do upon completion of the unit. Seven Teachings Writing: Students will write a story or a poem about what the Seven Teachings mean to them. They can share their writing orally with the class. Student writing could be typed and published to make a class book.Helping Hands Banner: Students will make a class banner for a bulletin board display. Outline both hands on a banner. Choose two of the values, one for each hand.Write the value on the hand and tell how they would show that.Through drawing, students turn their hands into flowers with stems.Color or paint them so that they look like “growing values” in a garden.Invite an Elder: Invite an Elder to share cultural knowledge with students. Be sure you follow cultural protocol when hosting an Elder. Contact Siwal Si’wes Aboriginal Department or your school’s Aboriginal Liaison Worker for guidance on protocol. Ensure students participate in the protocols. ................
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