Land-Based and Indigenous Education at Island Lake

Grade 4

Snowshoeing

Students will learn about the history and technology of snowshoes with a focus on Indigenous ingenuity and Knowledges. They will also discuss the form and function of different snowshoe designs, based on the diverse needs and geographical locations of various Indigenous communities. Proper snowshoeing techniques are demonstrated. Students will play warm-up games and go for a snowshoe hike. (Note: if there is insufficient snow on your field trip day, we will substitute this program with a winter hike). (1.5h)

Image credit: https://www.msrgear.com/blog/how-to-get-kids-excited-about-snowshoeing/

Snowshoeing Curriculum Connections - Grade 4

SCIENCE
A1 STEM investigation and communication skills
A1.3 use an engineering design process and associated skills to design, build, and test devices, models, structures, and/or systems (in the pre and post slide deck)

A3 Applications, Connections, and Contributions
A3.3 analyse contributions to science and technology from various communities

B Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
B1.1 assess positive and negative impacts of human activities on habitats and communities, while taking different perspectives into account (in the pre and post slide deck)

PHYSICAL & HEALTH EDUCATION
B3 demonstrate responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others as they participate in physical activities
C1 Perform movement skills, demonstrating an understanding of the basic requirements of the skills and applying movement concepts as appropriate, as they engage in a variety of physical activities;
C2 apply movement strategies appropriately, demonstrating an understanding of the components of a variety of physical activities, in order to enhance their ability to participate successfully in those activities

SOCIAL STUDIES
A Heritage & Identity: Early Societies to 1500 CE

Interconnectedness of All Living Things Trail Walk

The concept of "two-eyed seeing" grounds this trail walk experience, with a focus on the benefits of both Western and Indigenous Knowledges. Students will hike through three different habitats and will examine the links between organisms and environmental elements such as water, climate, sunlight, etc. and how these understandings are embedded within Indigenous Knowledges. (Program duration: 1.5h)

Interconnectedness of All Living Things
Curriculum Connections - Grade 4

SCIENCE
Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
B1.1 assess positive and negative impacts of human activities on habitats and communities, while taking different perspectives into account
B1.2 analyse the impact of the depletion or extinction of a species on its habitat and community, and describe possible actions to prevent such depletions or extinctions

LANGUAGE
Reading
1.4 demonstrate understanding of a variety of texts by summarizing important ideas and citing supporting details
1.5 make inferences about texts using stated and implied ideas from the texts as evidence
1.6 extend understanding of texts by connecting the ideas in them to their own knowledge, experience, and insights, to other familiar texts, and to the world around them

Indigenous Games

Explore what Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples did and continue to do for fun! Students will learn about the history and culture of the Anishnaabeg and Haudenosaunee through several traditional games, including bone & toggle, mini-double ball, and peach pit. Lacrosse can be added to the program during the warmer months, if weather permits. During the winter, Inuit high-kick will be played instead of lacrosse. Pre- and post-program work will enable students to learn about their treaty partners and will compliment the hands-on portion of the Indigenous Games program. (Program duration: 1.5h)

Program developed in consultation with Dallas Squire, Kahnyen’kehàka (Mohawk), Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River.

Indigenous Games Curriculum Connections - Grade 4

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Active Living
B1 Active Participation
B2 Physical Fitness
B3 Safety

SOCIAL STUDIES
Strand A. Heritage and Identity: Early Societies to 1500 CE
A1 Application: Past & Present Societies
A2 Inquiry: Ways of Life & Relationships with the Environment
A3 Understanding Context: Characteristics of Early Societies

Navigation & Mapmaking

Students will learn to recognize many important aspects of a map: legend, scale, title and the compass rose. They will also explore Indigenous ways of navigation and mapmaking. Using orienteering skills, students work in small groups to identify their direction, locate major terrain features and collect key pieces to solve a puzzle and reflect on how the land can act as a guide for our own journeys and future decision-making. (Program duration: 2h)

Orienteering & Navigation Curriculum Connections - Grade 4

SOCIAL STUDIES
Heritage & Identity: Early Societies to 1500 CE
A2.2 gather and organize information on ways of life and relationships with the environment in a few early societies, including at least one First Nation and one Inuit society, using a variety of primary and secondary sources in both print and electronic formats
A2.3 analyse and construct print and/or digital maps, including thematic maps, as part of their investigations into interrelationships between the environment and life in a few early societies, including at least one First Nation and one Inuit society
A3.1 identify the location of some early societies, including at least one First Nation and one Inuit society, on a globe or on print, digital, and/or interactive maps, and demonstrate the ability to extract information on early societies’ relationship with the environment from thematic maps

Also: People and Environments: Political and Physical Regions of Canada
3.7 demonstrate an understanding of cardinal and intermediate directions (i.e., NW, SW, NE, and SE), and use these directions (as well as number and letter grids to locate selected political and physical regions of Canada on a variety of print and digital/interactive maps)

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