Related Guides
X̱wi7x̱wa Library Guide
Teaching Language Arts through an Indigenous Lens
"Students’ understanding of their world expands and deepens as they engage with a wide variety of nonfiction and fiction texts. They explore real and imaginary worlds through the analysis and creation of story. They learn to appreciate the importance of story in reflecting and shaping Canadian culture and worldviews, including those of Aboriginal peoples. Aboriginal worldviews are an integral part of the English Language Arts curriculum, as all students learn about themselves and others as British Columbians and Canadians. Students see their own diversity reflected in what they see and do, and they learn to recognize and respect a range of worldviews.” (From BC Curriculum, Aboriginal Education).
Resources
- English Language Arts Curriculum (BC Ministry of Education)Presents what students (grades K-12) are expected to know, understand, and be able to do. Includes First Peoples content, worldviews, and Principles of Learning.
- In Our Own Words: Bringing Authentic First Peoples Content to the K-3 Classroom (First Nations Education Steering Committee)Guidance about how to incorporate authentic First Peoples materials into instruction and assessment practices. Includes lesson plans, curriculum connections, assessment resources and suggested texts. (2012).
- Reading Connections (Strong Nations)Free, downloadable lesson plans are available for a selection of Strong Nations titles, many of which are available at X̱wi7x̱wa Library.
- BC First Nations Studies 12: Cultural Appropriation AssignmentLesson plan for students in grade 11/12. Students examine examples of cultural appropriation and comment on examples using a Web 2.0 application.
Bibliographies
- Aboriginal Literatures in Canada: A Teacher's Resource Guide (Curriculum Services Canada)Provides a context for teaching literature from six Aboriginal cultures: Mi’kmaq, Six Nations, Anishnabe (Ojibway), Cree, Métis, and Okanagan through commentaries supported by bibliographies.
- Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools 2013-2014 (Association of Book Publishers of BC)Annotated catalogue of school library resources for elementary and secondary students. Compiled by teacher librarians.
- #NativeReads: Native American Children’s Literature Recommended Reading List (First Nations Development Institute)Recommended books for preschool; grades K-3; 4-7; and 8-12; and graphic novels. Created for Native American Heritage Month 2016.
- English First Peoples (FNESC) 2018This teacher resource guide is designed to support educators teaching Gr. 10-12 English First Peoples and reflects more recent changes to BC Curriculum.
Evaluating Children's Materials
To find reviews of a specific book, search the title on Summon then limit your search results to book reviews by selecting Content Type: Book Review (under Refine Your Search on the left-hand side).
For more information about evaluating children's literature, please see the Evaluating Children's Literature page of our Indigenous Children's Literature research guide.
Subject Headings
Subject headings are a tool designed to help researchers find similar materials. These are only some examples of the many subject headings that X̱wi7x̱wa Library uses. Spend a few minutes exploring them when you find a book in the catalogue that supports your research.
Browse Catalogue > Subject begins with:
- First Nations--English--Study and teaching.
- First Nations--English--Curriculum materials.
- First Nations--English--Curricula.
- First Nations--Language arts.
- First Nations--Children's books--Bibliographies.
- First Nations--Children's literature--Book reviews.
- First Nations--Children's literature--Evaluation.
For more subject headings, see the Books & Media page of this guide.