Currie's inquiry question:
What is our understanding of reconciliation?Ìý​
How might we weave First Peoples Principles ofÌýLearning and reconciliation into the way we teach,Ìýplan, and engage with learners?
What was being noticed about learners?
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Learners are engaged in Sharing Circle and landÌýacknowledgmentÌý​
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They have a beginning understanding of why we doÌýa landÌýacknowledgementÌý​
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Learners are open to participating in new routinesÌýand learning experiences (eg.ÌýCircle, learning aboutÌýCoast Salish shapes in art, learning new words inÌýMusqueam language, etc.)Ìý
Learnings and Action:Ìý
Reconciliation. It's in everything that we do. It was a powerful moment when our teamÌýcame to a collective understanding that in order to move forward, we must unlearnÌýwhat we thought we knew, embrace the discomfort, and make space for newÌýperspectives.Ìý
As we consider how to weave the First PeoplesÌýPrinciples of Learning into our planning andÌýteaching, we realized that it's not aboutÌýwhatÌýweÌýdo, butÌýhowÌýwe do it and our ways ofÌýbeing.Ìý​
We wondered:ÌýHow can we bring history to life andÌýconnect it to the need for reconciliation?Ìý
Over the next few months, we will engage in aÌýbook club, grounded by the book "Ensouling ourÌýSchools". We hope to gain new understanding andÌýinsights through dialogue, which will inform the shiftÌýin perspective in teaching and planning.Ìý
How has this inquiry made a difference for students?
After spending the year sharing stories and having talking circlesÌýtogether, grade 2/3 students in Division 13 have learned to listenÌýmore intently when speaking at the carpet or viewing/readingÌýstories. They have learned that we can share stories to spreadÌýintentional messages (of learning or of care) and now activelyÌýlisten to see if they can identify an author's purpose or theÌý"moral" of a story.
"TheÌýHonourableÌýHarvest" - In considering the reciprocal relationships andÌýstories of the land, students spent time in nature throughout the year. AfterÌýlearning "the rule of 7" when harvesting dandelions, Kindergarten studentsÌýwere heard sharing their knowledge with older students at recess.Ìý​
"You have to countÌýto 7 before picking 1 because that's food for the bees!" - VÌý​
When we spend time to get to know the land, we care for it deeply andÌýdifferently. Students recognize the impact of theirÌýactions, andÌýare continuing toÌýlearn about the stories of place and land.Ìý​
​Next Steps:
