Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success
Grade 1
Selected Bibliography
NB: Older titles that you may find in your library have been included, and newer titles are provided as a guide for purchasing of new resources.
Book types include references, non-fiction, picture books, novels, poetry, alphabet books, folklore and biography. Emphasis has been placed on
Canadian titles. (O/P = out of print)
Title
Waterton, Betty. A Salmon for Simon, 1978, 0-88899-265-3. Canadian
award-winning book tells the story of a little boy, Simon, who lives on Canada’s West Coast. Simon has recently been given a fishing rod and has spent
every day fishing for salmon without success.
Treuer, Anton, et al. Indian Nations of North America. 2010 National Geographic, 9781426206641. Covers the indigenous people who settled North
America, and their descendants, whose more than 500 tribes range from the
Arctic Circle across the Great Plains to the Eastern Seaboard. Lakota, Cherokee, Navajo, Haida: these groups and many others are profiled in entries, images and maps that highlight each tribe's history and character. Organized into
eight geographical regions, this encyclopedic reference gives details about
key tribes within each area: their beliefs, sustenance, shelter, alliances, interaction with nature, historic events, and more. This is the definitive, insightful
reference on Native Americans. The book's eight Native American authors
include renowned academics, national leaders, lecturers, and authors.
Harrison, Ted. Northern Alphabet. 1989, 0887762336. An alphabetical exploration of the sights and activities of a community in Canada’s north, each
picture teasing the reader to look for additional items beginning with the featured letter. Look at the borders of each page!
Bruchac, Joseph. (AA), Robert Goetzl, Illustrator (AI). Many Nations: An
Alphabet of Native America. 1997, 0-8167-4389-4. This picture book is
beautifully illustrated with brief text presenting aspects of the lives of many
varied Native peoples across North America. The content has an historical
focus. The book includes an author's note. Each letter is for a different First
Book First
Type Nation
Some Suggested
Activities
Curriculum
Links
Picture (North Read for enjoyment.
Book
west
Compare your community
Coast) with Simon’s.
Social Studies:
Traditions
Teacher All
Use for teacher reference.
Refer- North
ence
American
Social Studies
Alphabet Inuit
Book
Alphabet Many
Book
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Find more words for each
Language Arts:
letter from the pictures.
Alphabet
Use as a model for reporting Social Studies:
or writing.
Traditions
Make a list of some of the
traditions shown in this
book.
Activity: Make an Alphabet Book
Activity: Make an AlphaLanguage Arts:
Alphabet
bet Book
Social Studies:
Traditions
1
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
Nations group.
Ballantyne, Evelyn. Aboriginal AlphaBet for Children, 2002, 1894717139.
A beautiful alphabet book that illustrates the culture, language and traditions
of Aboriginal people. Each page provides a letter of the Roman alphabet in
upper and lower case, a full color illustration of some object that begins with
that letter, and a sentence that explains or defines the term used to represent
the letter. Most of the terms (e.g. hand drum, eagle fan and lacrosse) are
closely connected to "traditional" Aboriginal communities, although a few
(e.g. igloo, kamiik) are taken from Inuit traditions. However, it is somewhat
surprising to find "Xx Xmas is a wonderful time for everyone."
Flett, Julie. Owls See Clearly at Night: A Michif Alphabet. 2010,
9781897476284. In Michif and English. An introduction to the Michif language of the Métis people, mostly a combination of Cree and French.
Munsch, Robert. Smelly Socks, 2005, 0439967767. Here’s a classic Munsch
story, full of silliness and sure to be a hit. Tina loves her brand new socks so
much, she’s never, ever going to take them off, but when her wonderful socks
get smelly, her friends have to take action. Set in northern Canada, we can see
that Tina lives in a Dene Community and that she and her family are Aboriginal. We also see that Tina is a “regular kid,” just like any other kid. Munsch's
book will help affluent children to appreciate the challenges of lower socioeconomic families, and urban children can get a view of living in an isolated
location with limited services and resources.
Smith, Cynthia, (AA), Cornelius Wright, Illustrator (AA). Jingle Dancer.
2000, 0-688-16241-X. Jenna dreams about her grandmother's jingle dancing she would love to do the same. She does have a problem, though - how will
her dress sing if it has no jingles? This is the story of a contemporary Native
girl who turns to her family and community to help her dance. A very nice
story about a modern Aboriginal child comfortable with both contemporary
life and her traditions.
Munsch, Robert. Ribbon Rescue. 1999, 0590038710. Everyone is late for a
wedding and nothing is going right. But Jillian and her incredible, wonderful
ribbon dress can fix almost anything. Now her dress is a mess – who is going
to fix Jillian? This story was first told to Jillian, Mohawk girl who came to a
AlphabetNo clear Students may read this simdesigna- ple book by themselves.
tions,
Find more words for each
some
letter from the pictures
Inuit
Make an alphabet book for
your family.
Activity: Make an Alphabet Book
Language Arts:
Alphabet
Social Studies:
Traditions
Alphabet Métis
Book
Activity: Make an Alphabet Book
Language Arts:
Alphabet
Picture Dene
Book
Read for enjoyment.
Identify characteristics of
Aboriginal lifestyle today.
In what ways is it a blend
of traditional and modern?
Social studies:
Traditions
Picture MusRead for enjoyment.
Social Studies:
Book cogee Identify characteristics of
Traditions
(Creek) Aboriginal lifestyle today.
In what ways is it a blend
of traditional and modern?
Invite an Aboriginal drum
and dance troupe to perform at the school and to
teach powwow dances.
Compare contemporary life
with traditional life using a
Venn Diagram.
Compare with Jenneli's
Dance and Ribbon Rescue
Picture MoCompare Jillian’s dress with Social Studies:
Book
hawk
Jenna’s in Jingle Dancer
Traditions
and Jenneli's in Jenneli's
Dance.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
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Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
storytelling wearing her brand-new traditional ribbon dress.
Harjo, Joy. Good Luck Cat. 2000, 978-0152321970. Some cats are good luck.
But as Woogie gets into one mishap after another, everyone starts to worry.
Can a good luck cat's good luck run out? This is a modern Native American
story from a member of the Muskogee-Creek tribe.
Wheeler, Jordan, (Canadian Cree Author). Just a Walk. 2009,
9781894778824. Chuck, a young Aboriginal boy, has some amazing adventures when he goes out “just for a walk.” Written in rhyme to entertain children, it will leave them laughing.
Wheeler, Jordan, (Canadian Cree Author). Chuck in the City. 2009,
9781894778817. Chuck begins a new journey, this time to the city. On his
own, he gets lost, but finally figures out how he can find his way back to his
Kookum’s new condo. Humourous illustrations.
Waboose, Jan Bourdeau, Skysisters. 2000, 1-55074-697-9. This is a modern
story of two young Ojibwa sisters as they set off across the frozen north country and treasure the stillness of the winter evening walk. The story is not only
about the relationship between the two sisters, but also about their encounter
with rabbit, deer and coyote. Most importantly, the story is about their experience of the northern lights – their sky sisters.
Cuthand, Beth. (AA). Mary Longman (AI). Little Duck - Sikihpsis. 2003,
2007, 978-1894778442. 1999, 0-919441-74-2. The little lonely duck tries to
fit into the Cree culture and discovers he is happy after all to be a mud duck
and join other mud ducks. He admires the handsome Cree people, but realizes
he can't be Cree. Shows Cree people as strong, beautiful and handsome in the
eyes of the little duck. Shows rich details of Cree culture, helps children learn
care for animals. Beautifully-illustrated.
Picture Muskbook ogee-
Social Studies:
Traditions
Creek
Describe some of the traditions of this Native American family.
Picture Cree
Book
Tell some funny adventures
you have had.
Language Arts:
story telling
Picture Cree
Book
Tell some funny adventures
you have had.
Language Arts:
story telling
Picture Ojibwa Read for enjoyment.
Science: SeasonBook
Tell some ways these Inuit
al Changes
children are different or the
same as you.
What is winter like in the
northern part of Canada?
Picture Cree
Compare this story with
Science: Needs
Book
The Ugly Duckling. What
of Animals and
is the same in the two stoPlants
ries? What is different?
Language Arts:
What happens to the two
Story analysis
birds in the end?
What does a mud duck need
to survive?
Picture Inuit
How do you know your
Social Studies:
Book
mother loves you?
my family
Joose, Barbara. Mama, Do You Love Me? 1991, 0-87701-759-X. This is a
delightful story of a child testing her mother's unconditional love. Her mother
is very reassuring and proves that a parent's love is everlasting. It's the Arctic
setting that sets the story apart. The book includes a detailed glossary that describes the distinctively different Inuit culture.
Denny, Elizabeth, Jenneli's Dance. 2008, 9781894778619. Jenneli is a shy
Picture Métis
young Canadian Métis girl who feels that she is nothing special, until she
Book
learns about the Métis Red River Jig from her Grandma. Jenneli's story instills
a sense of pride in the Métis culture.
Delaronde, Deborah L. (Métis author). Keiron Flamand, (AI). A Name for a
Picture Métis
Métis. 1999, 0-921827-65-2. This is the story of a young boy who desperately Book
wants a nickname. According to his culture, the nickname must reflect the
nature of the person it is given to. The humorous tale tells of the young boys'
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
What tradition is this story
about? Compare with Jingle Dancer and Ribbon
Rescue.
What tradition is this story
about?
Social Studies:
Traditions
Social Studies:
Traditions
3
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
search to find a nickname that matches his personality.
Delaronde, Deborah L. (Métis author). Keiron Flamand, (AI). Little Metis
and the Metis Sash. 2000, 1-894717-02-3. This story is about a young Métis
boy who is bored and wishes to help his family with their chores. His grandmother allows him to go and help but tells him to be careful so that he doesn't
get lost. The boy, seeing some of his grandmother's spools of wool outside of
the cabin, decides to use them so that he doesn't get lost. In trying to be helpful the boy gets into trouble with the help of a mischievous friend. The book
uses the spelling Métis whereas Métis is generally preferred. This book is not
terrific quality but there are very few stories about Métis children available.
Devine, Monica. Carry Me, Mama. 2001, 1-55005-150-4. Beautiful, colourful paintings illustrate this story of seasonal changes set in an Inuit community. Provides many details about Inuit life in the far north. Katie has viewed
life from the safety of her mother’s parka. Then her mother decides it is time
for Katie to walk on her own.
Munsch, Robert and Michael Kusugak. A Promise is a Promise. 1988,
155037009X. Allashua, a little Inuit girl, disobeys her mother’s warning that
the Quallupelluq (an imaginary creature like a troll) will take her away if she
fishes in the crack in the ocean. In exchange for her life, Allashua promises to
bring her brothers and sisters to the crack in the ocean ice. Her family’s courageous trick allows Allashua to keep both her family--and her promise.
Picture Métis
Book
Picture Inuit
Book
What are some of the traditions of this Métis family?
Read for enjoyment.
How many family traditions
can you find in this story?
Look at the pictures as well
as think about the story.
Folktal Inuit
What family tradition is part
e
of this family? Why do you
suppose this tradition developed?
Compare your family with
Allashua’s.
How do people keep their
cultures and traditions
alive?
Compare this story with
Very Last First Time and
with Nanabosho, Soaring
Eagle.
Andrews, Jan. Very Last First Time, 1985, 088899043X. Canadian illustrator Picture Inuit
Compare this story with A
Ian Wallace discovers a wealth of colour in the Arctic world of a little Inuit
Book
Promise is a Promise and
girl who goes beneath the ocean’s crust of ice to gather mussels when the tide
with Nanabosho, Soaring
is out.
Eagle and the Great Sturgeon.
McLellan, Joe. Nanabosho, Soaring Eagle and the Great Sturgeon. 1993,
Folktale Ojibwa Compare this story with
0921827237. Soaring Eagle gets greedy and nearly loses his son.
Promise is a Promise and
Very Last First Time.
Make a grid and compare
several aspects.
Armstrong, Jeannette. (AA), Ron Hall (AI). Dancing With the Cranes. 2004 Picture
and 2009, 978-1894778701. The grandmother's death has greatly saddened
Book
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Social Studies:
Traditions
Social Studies:
Traditions
Social Studies:
Traditions
Language Arts:
comparing stories
Social Studies:
Traditions
Language Arts:
comparing stories
Language Arts:
comparing stories
Social Studies:
Family
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Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
the child, but her mother helps her look forward to the birth of the new baby,
thus reinforcing the cycle of life.
Miles, Miska. Annie and the Old One. 1971, 0316571202. Annie comes to
Picture Navajo
grips with the concept of death and the sure knowledge of the coming death of Book
her grandmother. This is the wise story of a Navajo girl and her grandmother.
Boyden, Linda. Blue Roses. 2002, 1-58430-037-X. Rosalie is named by her
grandfather who loves roses and his garden. He teaches her how to plant and
tend a garden which according to him is 'the closest place to heaven on this
hard earth.' With the plants, he teaches Rosalie about the cycle of life, and that
death is part of that cycle. When he dies, Rosalie cries in the company of her
whole family and gradually accepts that he is gone. She has a dream about
him in his heavenly garden with the blue roses they could never grow. With
that vision she learns a way to keep him in her heart.
Bruchac, Joseph and Bruchac, James (AA), Aruego, Jose and Ariane Dewey,
Illustrator (AA), Turtle's Race with Beaver: A traditional Seneca tale.
2003, 0-8037-2852-2. Beaver with his fast swimming challenges Turtle for
ownership of the pond. Turtle outsmarts Beaver, and Beaver learns to share. A
version of the traditional tortoise and hare folktale.
Picture
Book
Mora, Pat. Race of Toad and Deer. 2001, 0888994346. In this Maya version
of the traditional tortoise and hare story, a clever toad beats a boastful, longlegged deer.
Folktal Maya
e
(Fable)
Who do you love?
Folktal Seneca Activity: Tortoise and
e
Hare Stories
(Fable)
Activity: Tortoise and
Hare Stories
Bruchac, Joseph & Bruchac, James. (AA), Jose Aruego & Ariane Dewey, IlFolktal Abenaki Activity: Tortoise and
lustrator (AA) Raccoon's Last Race: a traditional Abenaki story. 2004, 0e
Hare Stories
8037-2977-4. Tells the story of how Raccoon, the fastest animal on earth, los- (Fable)
Activity: Pourquoi and
es his speed because he is boastful and breaks his promises. A version of the
Creation Tales
traditional tortoise and hare folktale.
Tingle, Tim. When Turtle Grew Feathers: A Folktale from the Choctaw
Nation. 2007, 978-0-87483-777-3. The author’s pacing and storytelling style
along with hilarious, action-packed illustrations make this Choctaw telling of
the race between Turtle and Rabbit an absolute gem, great for reading aloud.
Eyvindson, Peter. Missing Sun. 1993, 9780132873017. Deals with seasons
and sunshine, set in Inuvik (N.W.T.). Emily's mother is a meteorologist and
offers a factual explanation as to why the land is dark for a time, while Emily's friend Josie claims that it is the tricky Raven who steals the sun and hides
Folktal Choctaw Activity: Tortoise and
e
Hare Stories
(Fable)
Picture Inuit
Book
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Health: Dealing
with death
Social Studies:
Family
Health: Dealing
with death
Social Studies:
Family
Health: Dealing
with death
Language Arts:
Comparing and
writing stories.
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Language Arts:
Comparing and
writing stories.
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Language Arts:
Comparing and
writing stories.
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Language Arts:
Comparing and
writing stories.
Have students brainstorm
Science: Seasonwhat it would be like to live al Changes
in perpetual darkness for
several weeks. And what
5
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
it. When Emily gets tired of living in darkness, she shouts at the Raven to
bring the sun back. The sun finally does shine again.
Miller, Jay. American Indian Games. 1996, 0561201360. Part of the True
Book series, this little volume has the usual large print and bright colour photos that make it attractive to young students. There are lots of fascinating details about the games. The book includes a table of contents, index, list of further books to read, organizations, web sites and important words. Unfortunately the book uses both the Inuit and Eskimo terms, and doesn't distinguish
between the two in any way. In spite of this, the coverage is very good, and is
a topic not often seen in such accessible format.
Friesen, John W. and Virginia Friesen. Legends of the Elders. 2000,
9781550592023. This series encourages elementary students to gain understanding of Native American history, cultures, lifestyles, and heritage through
the study of folktales. Wonderful short stories but black and white line drawings only and poor format. Also:
More Legends of the Elders. 2004, 9781550592733.
Even More Legends of the Elders. 2005, 9781550592801
Still More Legends of the Elders. 2005, 9781550592795.
Legends Of The Elders Handbook For Teachers, Home schoolers, And
Parents. 2005, 9781550592818.
Bruchac, James. Native American Games and Stories. Golden, Colorado:
Fulcrum, 2000, 978-1555919795. An important belief of Native American life
states that you can learn while you play and play while you learn. Students
can read intriguing stories, immerse themselves in Native American understandings, and play fun-filled games.
Eyvindson, Peter. Red Parka Mary. 1996, 9780921827504. Shows how an
Aboriginal boy befriends an elderly Aboriginal woman. It presents a realistic
depiction of contemporary First Peoples.
NonMany
fiction
games
would it be like to have
daylight all the time for
several weeks?
Play some of these games.
How are they the same as
the ones you play? Different?
Physical Education: Games
Folktales Many
and
Teacher
Resource
Read some stories aloud.
Language Arts:
Listen to stories
Social Studies:
Traditions
Nonfiction
Games
Play some of these games.
How are they the same as
the ones you play? Different?
Physical Education
Picture
Book
Why are friends important?
Compare with Little White
Cabin.
Compare contemporary life
with traditional life using a
Venn Diagram.
Why are friends important?
Compare with Red Parka
Mary.
Compare contemporary life
with traditional life using a
Venn Diagram.
Social Studies:
Community
friends
Language Arts:
Comparing stories
Social Studies:
Community
friends
Language Arts:
Comparing stories
Plain, Ferguson. (AA). Little White Cabin. 1992, 0-921827-26-1. A wellPicture
written, short, picture book. A young boy befriends an older man who lives by Book
himself in a little white cabin. At the beginning of the story the old man does
not want to be friends or even be friendly toward the young boy. However,
this young boy is very diligent in getting to know this old man and does not
stop walking by his house. Finally the old man begins to respond. The young
boy brings the gift of food to the old man and from there the friendship builds.
The old man dies but leaves behind many stories, and much knowledge and
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
6
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
wisdom for the young boy. Monochromatic illustrations.
Eyvindson, Peter. Night Rebecca Stayed Too Late. 1994, 0921827393. Rebecca and Suzie have a problem. How can they walk each other home on a
scary night without one of them having to finally walk home alone? Again, a
realistic depiction of contemporary First Peoples.
Edwardson, Debby Dahl. Whale Snow. 2003, 9781570913938. Amiqqaq, an
Iupiat, is excited when his family catches a bowhead whale. As this family
prepares the traditional celebration whaling feast, Amiqqaq learns about the
spirit-of-the-whale.
Lewis, Jackie. How I Got My Dogsled, 1993, 0-921254-61-X. In short, simple sentences, here is a story about acquiring and raising Husky sled dogs.
Although not stated, the characters are Aboriginal as indicated by the illustrations and the focus of the story. Shows modern children living comfortably in
today's society but also participating comfortably in their Aboriginal traditions, particularly in acquiring, training and sledding with sled dogs.
Picture
Book
Social Studies:
Community
Picture
Book
Social Studies:
Community,
Family, Traditions
Social Studies:
Traditions
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Language Arts:
Literature
Analysis,
Comparing stories
Social Studies:
Traditions
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Language Arts:
Literature
Analysis,
Comparing stories
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Language Arts:
Literature
Analysis,
Comparing stories
Social Studies:
Traditions
Social Studies:
Picture
Book
Tell about winter activities
of different groups. What
do you do in the winter?
Compare with similar stories, such as A Sled Dog
for Moshi and Littlest Sled
Dog
Find out how to care for and
train a sled dog.
Kusugak, Michael. Littlest Sled Dog. 2008, 9781551437521. This appealing
story about a little cairn terrier who dreams of being a big, strong sled dog,
incorporates many aspects of Inuit culture and the northern environment.
Picture Inuit
Book
Compare with similar stories, such as How I Got
My Dogsled and A Sled
Dog for Moshi.
Find out how to care for and
train a sled dog.
Bushey, Jeanne. A Sled Dog for Moshi, 1994, 1-55041-956-0. This is a story
set in the present day Iqaluit, now capital of Nunavut. Jessica, whose family
has moved to the remote northern Canadian town from New York City, finds
a new friend in Moshi, an Inuk girl. Jessica does not understand about sled
dogs, or other characteristics of life in an Inuit village. One day, both girls are
stranded in a whiteout, and it is Moshi's knowledge of the Inuit ways of survival, and the help of her father's sled dog Nuna, that save the girls. A very
rich resource.
Picture
Book
Compare with similar stories, such as How I Got
My Dogsled and Littlest
Sled Dog
Tell some of the things
Moshi knew that helped to
save the girls.
Find out how to care for
and train a sled dog.
Einarson, Earl. Moccasins. 2004, 1-894778-14-6. A foster mother gives her
Picture
Inuit
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Explore different kinds of
7
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
young foster child a pair of moccasins that make him feel accepted and loved.
By the time he grows out of them, he no longer needs them but when he has
his own child, the wise foster mother knows just what gift to give. The illustrations are simple and tactile. Here is a simple circular tale that reinforces the
warmth and love one can receive from a caring person. A positive example of
a foster parent and foster child relationship. A cautionary note: it would be
important for the teacher to check the students' backgrounds, especially if
he/she suspects that a child is in foster care.
Book
Poirier, Thelma. (AA), Nona Foster (AI). Bead Pot. 1993, 0-921827-30-X.
Picture Plains
Illustrates nicely the handing down of traditions from one generation to the
Book
next. The story is unusual in that it shows the transition from a traditional Aboriginal society to a more contemporary setting, but within this, the traditions
are carried on and survive. The story's ending tugs at one's heart as the older
woman, living in a senior’s lodge, waits for her great-granddaughter so that a
tradition can be carried on. In the end, the woman is able to pass on her traditions to the child. Note: Beads are a post-contact tradition.
Patton, Anne and Burton, Wilfred. Fiddle Dancer. 2007, 9780920915769.
Picture Métis
Accompanied by a CD. Nolan, a young Métis boy, learns to dance and also
Book
learns many Métis customs and traditions. Text in English and Cree. Recommended by Gabriel Dumont Institute.
Johnson, Leslie. Fancy Dance. 2003, 1-58430-729-3. A delightful, simplyPicture Many
written story about a young boy on his first performance in the Fancy Dance
Book
powwow contest. Easy words accompany bright illustrations. True feelings of
nervousness and then success are shown. Large print, beginning reader.
Wheeler, Bernelda. (Métis author). Where Did you Get Your Moccasins?
Picture
1986, 1992, 1895411505. About 200 words in 20 pages tell the story in a
Book
question and answer format with black and white pictures. Jody is in a multicultural urban school and he tells his class where his moccasins came from:
"My dad shot the deer, my Kookum (grandmother) washed and scraped and
pulled and smoked the deer hide," and so forth. To the question, "Where did
your Kookum get the beads for the beadwork?" he replies, "From the store."
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
families.
Traditions
What are some family tradi- Language Arts:
tions that you know are
Comparing stomeaningful for people?
ries
What helped the boy feel
that he was loved and belonged?
Read with Where Did you
Get Your Moccasins? to
learn about the origin of the
moccasins in the story.
Compare your family with
the one in this story.
What traditions have been
passed from generation to
generation in your family?
Compare contemporary life Social Studies:
with traditional life using a Traditions;
Venn Diagram.
Time, Continuity and Change
Compare your family with
the one in this story.
What traditions have been
passed from generation to
generation in your family?
What are the traditions that
Joe is celebrating?
Social Studies:
Traditions
Read with Einarson’s Moccasins to get a sense of the
importance of moccasins.
How do people keep their
cultures and traditions
alive?
Social Studies:
Traditions
Social Studies:
Traditions
8
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
The native child is obviously well integrated into urban life, and his "show
and tell" is of great interest to his classmates.
Loewen, Iris. My Kokum Called Today. 1993, 0921827369. On the trip with Picture
her mother from the city to an Indian Reserve, a young girl thinks of how
Book
fond she is of her Cree grandmother--her Kokum--they will be visiting. Kokum is an elder with, among other talents, a knack for gathering medicinal
herbs, making jam from wild berries, cooking bannock, fashioning moccasins.
A warm portrait of family life in a special community.
Cree
Wastasecoot, Brenda Isabel. (AA). Granny’s Giant Bannock. 2008,
Picture Cree
9781894717496. A little miscommunication between English-speaking Larf
Book
and his Cree-speaking grandmother leads to hilarious results when a giant
bannock threatens to take over the town. Includes a bannock recipe.
dePaola, Tomie. Popcorn Book. 1984, 978-0823405336. Details the history of Non
Many
popcorn and shows how corn is an Aboriginal food originating in North
fiction
America. Presents a variety of facts about popcorn and includes two recipes.
McLellan, Joe. Nanabosho and the Cranberries. 1998, 0921827636.
Nanabosho discovers a cranberry bush, but as hard as he tries he cannot get
those cranberries to eat.
Baylor, Byrd. (AA) Everybody Needs a Rock. 1974, 0689710518. How to
find just the right rock for you.
Teevee, Ningeokuluk. Alego. 2009, 9780888999436. Simple story about a
young Inuit girl who goes to the shore with her grandmother to collect clams
for supper. Along the way she discovers tide pools brimming with life. In
English and Inuktitut.
Stotter, Michael. World of North American Indians (Passport to the Past).
2009, 978-1435851719. General information, and includes sections on buffalo, food and farming, horses, dances, sweat lodges, etc. Includes many sidebars on things to make. Excellent illustrations and format.
McLeod, Elaine. (AI). Lessons from Mother Earth. 2010, 9780888998323.
Tess has visited her grandmother many times without really being aware of
the garden. But today they step outside the door and Tess learns that all of
nature can be a garden. And if you take care of the plants that are growing, if
you learn about them - understanding when they flower, when they give fruit,
and when to leave them alone - you will always find good food.
Jameson, Catherine. Zoe and the Fawn. 2006, 9781894778435. Zoe and her
father encounter many woodland animals and learn their Native names along
the way. A delightful tale.
In what ways are grandmothers very special people?
What are some of Kokum’s
traditions?
Activity: Bannock in Stories
Activity: Bannock in Stories
Activity: Bannock in Stories
Folktal Ojibwa Activity: Bannock in Stoe
ries
Prose
poetry
Picture Inuit
book
Find just the right rock for
you.
Activity: Bannock in Stories
Non
Many
fiction
Use for research.
Activity: Bannock in Stories
Social Studies:
Traditions
Social Studies:
Traditions
Language Arts:
Writing a Story
Social Studies:
Traditions
Language Arts:
Writing a Story
Language Arts:
Writing a Story
Science: Senses
Science: Senses
Language Arts:
Writing a Story
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Social Studies:
Traditions
Picture (proba- Activity: Respect for NaBook bly in
ture
the Yu- Activity: Bannock in Stokon)
ries
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Language Arts:
Writing a Story
Picture
Book
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Activity: Respect for Nature
9
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
Littlechild, George. This Land is My Land, 2003, 0892391847. Through
colourful paintings, the author tells us the stories of his life as a Native in today's world. The emphasis is on the importance of his ancestry to his life today. With each painting is a written text about what the picture shows and
how his ancestors were instrumental in that image.
Nonfiction
Wheeler, Bernelda. (Métis author). I Can't Have Bannock but the Beaver
has a Dam. 1984, 1993, 1895411483. Easy-to-read print and black-and-white
illustrations. The story begins with a little boy asking his mother if he can
have some bannock. She says no and tells him why. As for all little boys,
mother's answer only stimulates another question. Each time the mother answers she gives all of the information in the previous answer plus new information. Set in typical native and northern communities where bannock and
power failures are a part of everyday life.
San Souci, Robert D. Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story. 1994, 0-44041363-X. Poor Sootface is forced to work day and night for her cruel and lazy
older sisters. Her hair is singed from the cooking fire and her face is smeared
with ashes, but Sootface still dreams that she will find a husband. Then a
mighty warrior who can make himself invisible announces that he will marry
the woman who can see him. Though the whole village laughs at her, Sootface sets off to try her luck, never once looking back. Here is another version
of the Cinderella story.
Wallace, Ian. Huron Carol. 2006, 9780888997111. New illustrated version of
traditional carol.
Pryor, Bonnie. House on Maple Street, 1992, 0688120318. When Chris and
Jenny find a china cup buried in their backyard, it begins a journey through
time to discover the several people--Natives, pioneers, early townspeople-who have lived on the site.
Hamanaka, Sheila. Grandparents Song. New York: Harper Collins. 2003,
9780688178529. Hamanaka celebrates ancestry and diversity as she tells of a
girl with green eyes and free-flowing black hair who traces her genealogy
back through her grandparents. “My roots run deep," reads the text, and the
illustrations include tree imagery.
Boegehold, Betty. D. A Horse Called Starfire, (Ready-to-Read). 1990,
0553348531. A Spanish explorer sets his horse free in the New World. Alone,
she finds Wolf Cub and his father, and forms a bond that changes the ways of
the Native American tribe. This story of friendship and trust is told in four
easy-to-read chapters.
Picture Cree
book
Using this as a model, stuArt: painting or
dents create a painting
drawing
showing aspects of their
ancestry or heritage, and
underneath, explain the picture.
Use as a model for writing. Language Arts:
Activity: Bannock in StoWriting a Story
ries.
Folklore Ojibwa Compare with other Cinder- Language Arts:
ella stories. Use a table.
Literature AnalActivity: Multicultural
ysis
Cinderella
Music
Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Beginning
chapter
book
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Sing the Huron Carol at the
annual Christmas event.
Make a comparison graphic
organizer, such as a timeline, based on the book and
on the students’ lives.
Make a family tree of your
own family
Read for enjoyment.
How did the horse change
the ways the people lived?
Compare to Gift of the Sacred Dog.
Social Studies:
Traditions
Social Studies:
Family tree
Language Arts:
Comparing stories
10
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
George, Jean Craighead. Nutik, the Wolf Pup. 2001, 0-06-028164-2. Julie of
Julie of the Wolves and her younger brother come to us in this captivating
picture book. Julie brings home a sickly wolf pup for her younger brother to
care for and warns, "Don't fall in love, Amaroq." But, of course, he does. "Eskimo" term used: this is an American publication. Explain the origins of this
term and it’s proscription in Canada today. Takes place in the far north. Gorgeous illustrations.
Highway, Tomson. Caribou Song, 2001, 0-00-225522-7. A tranquil story of
two brothers who live in an uninhabited part of Northern Manitoba in the
summer time. The boys love to dance and play the kitoochigan (accordion).
Searching for the ateek (caribou), the boys become part of a wonderful and
magical adventure as their calling to the caribou results in a thundering herd
going through the spot where they played. Told in English and Cree, this story
is a uniquely beautiful tribute to a passing way of life.
Caduto, Michael J. and Bruchac, Joseph. Native Stories From Keepers of the
Animals. 1993, 1895618193. Includes 24 illustrated stories about "our relations, the animals" demonstrating that the power and importance of animals in
Native American traditions and as relevant today as ever. (Black and white
line illustrations only).
Caduto, Michael J. and Bruchac, Joseph. Keepers of the Animals: Native
American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. 1997, 9781555913861. The activities involve children in creative arts, theatre, reading,
writing, science, social studies, mathematics and sensory awareness.
Picture
Book
Inuit
How should a Amaroq look
after his pup?
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Picture Cree
Book
Read for enjoyment.
Retell the story.
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Folktal Many
e Collection
Find small animals in your
area and classify them the
way some Cree do - as flyers, swimmers, crawlers or
walkers.
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Folktale Many
Collection
and
Teacher
Resource
Picture
Book
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Erdrich, Lise. Bears Make Rock Soup and Other Stories. 2002, 978Science: Needs
0892391721. Here’s a collection of short stories about relationships between
of Animals and
people and bears, moose, deer, crows and loons. The tales are brief, each
Plants
showing a vision of people and animals sharing and helping one another.
Cummings, Peter. Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay. 1993, 2004, 978- Picture (North- Compare this story with
Science: Needs
1550378702. Little Leah knows she is not to go outside because polar bears
Book ern Can- Snow Bear and Blueberof Animals and
are nearby. But she sneaks out to explore a nearby iceberg. Sure enough, a
ada)
ries for Sal (not an Aborig- Plants, Seasonal
polar bear cub is also out on the ice. It is not long before they find each other
inal story). What is the
Changes
in the setting sun. Soon the worried human and bear parents discover their
same in the three stories?
Language Arts:
young are missing and set out to find them. Tragedy is narrowly averted. A
What is different?
Comparing stowonderful picture book.
ries
George, Jean Craighead. Snow Bear. 1999, 0-7868-2398-4. This is a story of Picture (North- Compare this story with
Science: Needs
two young ones meeting and playing together. A child and a polar bear cub
Book ern Can- Out on the Ice in the
of Animals and
meet at an iceberg and play games, slide and run, always under the watchful
ada)
Middle of the Bay and
Plants
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
11
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
eye of the child's brother and the cub's mother. The playing stops abruptly
when a huge male polar bear appears. He is danger and the brother and mother bear hurry the young ones out of harm's way. Soft water colour illustrations
enhance the story. This story demonstrates the manner in which grown ups are
protective of their young no matter whether they are human or animal. Caution: On the last line of the story the unacceptable word "Eskimo" is used.
Bushey, Jeanne. Polar Bear's Gift, 2000, 0889952205. Inspired by a tradiPicture Inuit
tional Inuit legend, this is the story of Pani, a young Inuit girl and her grandBook
mother. Pani yearns to be a hunter of polar bears like her parents before her,
but becomes the compassionate friend of a wounded polar bear. An excellent
story with beautiful illustrations.
Caduto, Michael J. and Bruchac, Joseph. Keepers of the Animals: Native
American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. 1997, 9781555913861. The activities involve children in creative arts, theatre, reading,
writing, science, social studies, mathematics and sensory awareness. Includes
all the stories from Keepers of the Animals.
Story
Many
Collection
and
Teacher
Resource
Qitsualik, Rachel and Tinsley, Sean. Qanug Pinngurnirmata: Inuit Stories Folktale Inuit
of How Things Came to Be. 2008, 9780978218683. Eight short pourquoi
Colstories about how things in the Inuit world came to be, accompanied by beau- lection
(Pourtiful full-page colour illustrations.
quoi)
Simpson, Caroll. First Mosquito. 2010, 978-1926613673. Yax is too young to
go with his father on a trading trip and must stay at home with his mother and
sister. Disappointed, he goes off to practice his spear throwing. When he loses
his spear, he goes into the forest to look for it, even though he has been
warned about the dangers of wandering into the woods alone. The story tells
how the first mosquito came to be and introduces readers to a world of Lightning Snakes, Woodworm, Creek Woman, Mouse Woman, Two-Headed Serpents, the Wild Man of the Forest and a Bloodsucking Monster.
Bruchac, Joseph. (AA). First Strawberries. 1998, 978-0140564099. This
pourquoi story explains the origin of strawberries, which were grown by the
sun to help the first man and woman patch a quarrel.
Picture
Book
(Pourquoi)
North
west
Coast
Bushey, Jeanne. Orphans in the Sky, 2005, 0889952914. A story of the never-ending search for food, and the subsequent search for a home by two children. A brother and sister were inadvertently left behind when the Inuit
Folktale Inuit
Blueberries for Sal (not an Language Arts:
Aboriginal story). What is
Comparing stothe same in the three stories
ries? What is different?
Read for enjoyment.
Science: Needs
Read Big Small and Little
of Animals and
Small from Spirit of Can- Plants
ada.
Read Porcupine from Spirit of Canada.
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
How do people keep their
cultures and traditions
alive?
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Try some illustrations of
other Northwest Coast stories, based on the artwork
style in First Mosquito.
Folktale Chero- Activity: Pourquoi and
(Pourquoi kee
Creation Tales
(Pourquoi)
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Compare with Lost Children: The Boys Who
Were Neglected and with
Social Studies:
Traditions
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Art
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
12
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
moved to find better hunting grounds. The children returned to their old camp
for shelter but found only a flint and an old sealskin. Using these as best they
could, they considered their survival options if they lived with different arctic
animals. When Little Sister thought of living with the stars, they happily embraced the notion. As they rose into the night sky, Little Sister dispelled the
dark with the flint and Brother's laughter made the sealskin crackle loudly.
The orphans thus created Brother Thunder and Sister Lightning.
Ahenakew, Freda. Illus. George Littlechild (AI). How the Birch Tree Got its
Stripes: A Cree Story for Children. 1988, 0920079385. Wisahkecahk
caught a lot of ducks but soon lost them. In his anger he whipped the birch
trees that held him, and that’s how they got their stripes.
Freed, Don. Sasquatch Exterminator. 1999, 0920915418. Book is based on a
successful music education project intended to encourage Aboriginal children
to write and perform community-based and culturally-enhanced songs.
Thunder and Lightning in
Inuit Stories of How
Things Came to Be. Use a
matrix.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Folktale Cree
(Pourquoi)
Compare with other pourLanguage Arts:
quoi stories.
Comparing stoActivity: Pourquoi and
ries, literature
analysis
Creation Tales
Listen for enjoyment and to Social Studies:
experience Aboriginal-style Traditions
culture and rhythms.
Music
Picture (Cree)
Book
and
Music
CD
General Follow the directions on
McIntyre, Sandra. Canoe (Canadian Icons). 2010, 9781770715752. Very easy Non
reading. Large print. Provides basic information, both historical and contemfiction
page 22 and make a paper
porary, on this very Canadian icon.
canoe.
Cameron, Anne. How the Loon Lost Her Voice. 1985, 978-0920080559.
Folktale North Compare with Loon’s
This story tells how Loon, Raven, and all the animals rallied to retrieve the
(pourwest
Necklace.
daylight from behind its wall of ice after it was stolen by evil spirits.
quoi)
Coast Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Football, Virginia. How the Fox Got His Crossed Legs. 2009,
9781894778749. Includes CD. When he gets into an argument with Bear, Fox
loses a leg and becomes very sad. The people ask Raven for help. Raven
tricks Bear and gets Fox’s leg back for him, but he puts it on crooked. Text
also in Dogrib.
Goble, Paul. Her Seven Brothers. 1993, 9780689717307. Tells the legend of
the creation of the big dipper. When an Indian girl begins to make clothes
beautifully decorated with porcupine quills for seven brothers she has not yet
met, her parents believe that unseen powers have spoken to her. The girl
knows she must travel to the north country to find the seven brothers. She
comforts her mother by saying, "Soon you will see me again with my brothers; everyone will know and love us!"
Folktale Dogrib Compare with other pour(Pourquoi stories.
quoi)
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Folktale Chey(Pourenne
quoi)
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
analysis
Social Studies:
Traditions
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Language Arts:
Comparing stories
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Compare with other pourLanguage Arts:
quoi stories.
Comparing stoActivity: Pourquoi and
ries, literature
analysis
Creation Tales
Compare with The Sister
and Her Seven Brothers
from Girl Who Helped
Thunder and other Native
American Folktales.
Why are tales from many
13
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
different places in the world
often very similar?
dePaola, Tomie. Legend of the Bluebonnet. 1983, 0399209379. This favorite Folktale Coman- Activity: Pourquoi and
Language Arts:
(Pour- che
legend, based on folklore, tells the story of how the bluebonnet, the state
Comparing stoCreation Tales
quoi)
flower of Texas, came to be.
ries, literature
analysis
dePaola, Tomie. Legend of the Indian Paintbrush. 1988, 0698113608. Little Folktale (Texas) Activity: Pourquoi and
Language Arts:
(PourGopher is smaller than the rest of the children in his tribe and can't keep up
Comparing stoCreation Tales
with those who ride, run, wrestle or shoot with bows and arrows. But, he has a quoi)
ries, literature
talent of his own - he is an artist. When he grows older, a Dream-Vision
analysis
comes to him: a young Indian maiden and her grandfather tell him that he will
paint pictures of the great warriors with colors as pure as the evening sky. Little Gopher's paintings never satisfy him because the colors are dull and dark,
but he keeps trying. In the night, a voice tells him how to find paint-filled
brushes; Little Gopher locates them, and they become brilliantly colored
flowers known as the Indian Paintbrush.
Bruchac, Joseph & Bruchac, James. (AA), Girl Who Helped Thunder and
Story
Many, How is Old Man in this
Language Arts:
includother Native American Folktales. 2008, 9781402732638. Presents 24 stories Colstory a perfect example of
comparing stofrom various Native American groups, including Blackfoot and Inuit. The
lection ing
how not to behave?
ries, literature
Blackfoot story, Old Man and the Rolling Rock, is about Old Man, a fa(Trick- Black- Compare The Sister and
analysis
foot and Her Seven Brothers from
ster,
vourite trickster character in the tales of the Blackfoot. Old Man sometimes
Inuit
changes the world around him, but other times he gets into trouble. In stories pourquoi,
Girl Who Helped Thunlike this one, he is a perfect example of how not to behave. The Inuit story is quest)
der and other Native
Blind Boy and the Loon, which is a trickster story. Another trickster story is
American Folktales with
Turtle’s Race with Wolf. Excellent illustrations. For a variation on the RollHer Seven Brothers.
ing Rock story, go to Legend of Napi and the Rock at http://canadian-firstCompare these with The
nations.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_legend_of_napi_and_the_rock In this
Seven Dwarfs.
funny version, the rock is the Okotoks Erratic and it’s after Old Man!
Goble, Paul. Lost Children: The Boys Who Were Neglected. 1993. A
Folktale Black- Compare with Orphans in Language Arts:
(PourBlackfoot Indian legend in which six neglected orphaned brothers decide to
foot
the Sky and Thunder and Comparing stoquoi)
go to the Above World where they become the constellation of the "Lost
(Siksika) Lightning in Inuit Stories ries, literature
Children," or Pleiades.
analysis
of How Things Came to
Be. Use a matrix.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Taylor, C.J. (CAA). How Two-Feather was Saved from Loneliness: An
Folktale Abenaki Activity: Pourquoi and
Language Arts:
Abenaki Legend. 1990, 0887762549. This origin story tells the origin of
(Origin)
Comparing stoCreation Tales
corn, the origin of fire, and the origin of communal life.
ries, literature
analysis
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
14
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
Esbensen, Barbara. Great Buffalo Race: How the Buffalo got its Hump. A
Seneca tale. 1994, 0-316-91156-9. When the rains do not come there is a
fight between the old and young leaders. Some of the buffalo head to where
they think the rain will come instead of showing patience and waiting for it to
come to them. They thunder over the dry prairie, wrecking birds’ nests and
eggs. Many of the buffalo die from hunger on this trek. The Great Spirit punishes their destructive behaviour and lack of patience by giving them a hump
which pushed their heads to the ground so they would move more slowly and
be more aware of the lowly, helpless ones who live on the ground.
Bruchac, Joseph and Bruchac, James (AA) Jose Aruego & Ariane Dewey,
Illustrator (AI). How Chipmunk Got His Stripes: A Tale of Bragging and
Teasing. 2001, 0-8037-2404-7. When Bear and Brown Squirrel have a disagreement about whether Bear can stop the sun from rising, Brown Squirrel
ends up with claw marks on his back and becomes Chipmunk, the striped one.
Folktale Seneca Activity: Pourquoi and
(pourCreation Tales
quoi)
Folktale Chero(pourquoi)
Activity: Pourquoi and
kee,
Creation Tales
Abenaki,
and Mohawk
sources
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
McLellan, Joe, (CAA), Nanabosho: How the Turtle Got its Shell. 1994,
9780921827405. Long ago, turtle was just a little green creature. He had to
hide from everyone. One day he helped Nanabosho with catching fish and so
Nanabosho rewarded him by making a shell for him.
Folktale Ojibwa What did turtle need? Why? Science: Needs
(pourActivity: Pourquoi and
of Animals and
quoi)
Plants
Creation Tales
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Cleaver, Elizabeth. Fire Stealer. 1988, 978-0195405156. This is the story of Folktale Ojibwe Activity: Pourquoi and
Language Arts:
how Nanabozho brought fire to the Indians. Nanabozho changed himself into (pourComparing stoCreation Tales
quoi,
a rabbit, tricked his way into a warrior's wigwam and stole a torch of fire so
ries, literature
trickster)
his people could keep warm in winter and cook their food. So that he would
analysis
always be remembered for what he had done, Nananbozho worked his magic
Science: Seasonon the trees and every fall we see the flaming colors of fire in their leaves.
al Changes
McLellan, Joe, (CAA), Nanabosho Dances. 1991, 0921827148. This is the
Folktale Ashinabe Activity: Pourquoi and
Social Studies:
(pourlegend of how the hoop dance started. It tells about the significance of the
Traditions
Creation Tales
quoi)
circle, the symbols the hoop portrays in the dance, and the connections beLanguage Arts:
tween the Creator and the natural world.
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
McLellan, Joseph. Nanabosho Steals Fire. 1990, 0921827059. An old man
Folktale Ojibwa Compare this story with
Language Arts:
who had fire kept it for himself and was always watching to make sure no one (trickster,
comparing stoRainbow Crow.
pourquoi,
stole it. Nanabosho changed into a rabbit, fooled the old man’s daughters and
Activity: Quest or Hero
ries, literature
hero)
got them to take him into their wigwam. There, he let the fire catch onto his
analysis
Tales
fur and ran out and back to his people and thereby bought them fire. That’s
Activity: Trickster Tales
Social Studies:
why how the people got fire and that’s why the rabbit is brown in summer –
Activity: Pourquoi and
Traditions
to remind the people how they got fire.
Science: SeasonCreation Tales
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
15
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
al Changes
Ayre, Robert. Sketco the Raven. 2009, 9781443100441. Through his cunning, trickery, and transformations, Sketco brings the world the moon, the
sun, and the stars. He gives birds their colours, gives man fire, creates the
tides, brings food, and much more. No illustrations. Like a chapter book, each
chapter telling another episode. Episodes stand alone, but the whole works as
a longer story.
Folktale (North Select several Raven stories
Collec- Pacific from different sources to
tion
Coast) analyze and compare. Are
(pourthey hero, trickster, or
quoi,
pourquoi stories?
trickster,
Activity: Trickster Tales
hero)
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Folktale Cree
Activity: Trickster Tales
(TrickActivity: Pourquoi and
ster,
Creation Tales
Ahenakew, Freda. Wisahkecahk Flies to the Moon. 1999, 9780921827573.
Written in Cree and English, this engaging tale follows Wisahkecahk as he
hitches a ride to the moon by grabbing the legs of a crane. When the moon
pourquoi)
disappears underneath his feet, Wisahkecahk falls to earth and lands in soft
mud. Rather than rejoice that his life was saved, Wisahkecahk curses the mud
as a wasteland. Sherry Farrell Racette is the Métis artist.
Scribe, Murdo. Murdo's Story: A Legend from Northern Manitoba. 1986, Folklore Ojibway Activity: Pourquoi and
(Pour0919143075. Accuracy and quality characterize this version of the Origin of
Creation Tales
quoi)
Seasons. The rendering brings out the complexities of the authentic story.
Compare with How Summer Came to Canada.
McLellan, Joseph, (CAA), Birth of Nanabosho, 1989, 9780921827009. Ex- Folktale Ojibwa Compare this story to The
(pourquoi
plains when and why stories of creation need to be told at a certain time of
Enchanted Caribou.
year. This story tells of the origin of Nanabosho and how he was a spirit who - creaWhat lesson does this story
tion)
could change his shape to suit his purposes. From this comes the lesson to
teach?
"treat everyone and everything with respect. You never know when NanaboActivity: Pourquoi and
sho has changed himself into something around you, and you certainly don't
Creation Tales
want to be disrespectful to him or to anything in Creation.”
Taylor, C. J. (CAA) Bones in the Basket: Native stories of the origin of
Folktale Many Activity: Pourquoi and
(pourquoi
people. 1994, 0-88776-450-9. This is a collection of stories about the origin
Creation Tales
- creaof the people. These legends from the Chuckchee, Cree, Mandan, Modoc,
Mohawk, Osage and Zuñi nations share a belief that people, animals and the tion)
earth are connected. Each short (1, 2 or 3 pages) story is accompanied by an
interesting painting. You may want to look at Virginia Hamilton's book, In the
Beginning, Creation Stories from Around the World, Harcourt Brace, 1988,
for extended interest or comparisons. Alberta students will be especially interested in the Wesakechak legend "The Raft," a Cree story. This is the story of
Wesakechak's role in saving animals from the flood caused by Giant Beaver.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Social Studies:
Traditions
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
16
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
Taylor, C.J. (AA). How We Saw The World: Nine Native Stories of the
Way Things Began. 1993, 0887763022. Here are explanations for the origins
of tornadoes, forest fires, butterflies, horses, Niagara Falls and islands. Includes a Blackfoot story about how horses came into the world. Includes the
Blackfoot story How Horses Came into the World.
King, Thomas. Coyote Sings to the Moon. 1998, 1550139460. Hilarious account of Old Woman singing to the Moon. Other animals join in, but when
Coyote asks to join, they don’t want him because of his horrible voice. Insulted, Coyote in turn insults the Moon, who decides to dive into the Pond. In
desperation, to get the Moon back into the sky, the animals ask Coyote to sing
to drive Moon away – back up into the sky. It works, but now every time the
Moon tries to go back to the Pond, Coyote must sing to keep her up in the sky.
McLellan, Joe, (CAA), Nanabosho and Kitchie Odjig, 1997,
9780921827580. In this folktale, Nanabosho meets Kitchie Odjig and learns a
valuable lesson about listening to his elders.
Fox-Davies, Sarah. Little Caribou, 1997, 1564029239. A caribou is born on
the Arctic tundra. Very soon she must stand and drink her mother’s milk. She
must grow strong quickly since she must soon run with the herd. She will
spend her whole life traveling and hunting for food.
Folktale Many
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
quoi)
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Folktale Ojibwa What lesson does this story
teach?
Social Studies:
Traditions
Picture (The
Read for enjoyment.
Book
North) Use to identify the needs of
caribou that live in Canada’s Arctic.
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
(pourquoi
- creation)
Picture
book
(pour-
Goble, Paul. Mystic Horse. 2003, 006029813-8. The story is a legend based
Folklore
on the oral tradition of the Pawnee. A boy discovers an old, limping horse.
Though ridiculed by his tribe, the boy cares for the horse and brings it back to
health. In turn, the animal helps his friend achieve greatness, only to be betrayed. The boy's remorse is sincere, but will he be forgiven?
Taylor, C.J. (CAA). Secret of the White Buffalo: An Oglala Legend. 1993, Folklore Oglala
0887763219. The peace pipe is a sacred object to many Aboriginal peoples. In
exploring its origins, Mohawk artist C.J. Taylor tells the story of the sacred
woman who brought the pipe to the Oglala people. It is a story of how the
buffalo are returned to the people.
Ancona, George. Powwow. 1993, 0152632697. Vivid photographs and
Nonthoughtful text illustrate some of the customs behind the powwow. Brief text
fiction
helps develop awareness and understanding of the celebrations. Includes brief
historical information and depicts modern life in a positive manner. Tidbits of
Aboriginal history are woven together with descriptions of modern celebrations.
Kalman, Bobbie. Celebrating the Powwow. 1997, 0865056404. Introduces
Non-
Read for enjoyment.
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
What meaning does the
peace pipe have for these
people?
Social Studies:
Traditions
Identify some of the customs behind the powwow
celebration.
Invite an Aboriginal drum
and dance troupe to perform at the school and to
teach powwow dances
Play Sasquatch Exterminator.
General Identify some of the cus-
Social Studies:
Traditions
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Social Studies:
17
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
the peoples, cultures, beliefs, and events that are part of many powwows.
fiction
Pelletier, Darrell. (AA). Pow-Wow. 1992, 0-920915-37-X. A small, simple
story of a young boy who goes with his cousin to a powwow. The cousin
shows him other dancers and then shows him his own regalia. The two boys
join in the round dance and enjoy the powwow. Line drawings with chalkcoloured pictures. Presents the lifestyle of the First Nation family. Written in
English and Cree.
Sanderson, Esther. (AA). Two Pairs of Shoes. (reprint 2008). Maggie receives a pair of black leather dress shoes from her mother and her grandmother gives her a pair of beautiful beaded moccasins. Now Maggie must learn
when and how to wear each pair of shoes.
Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Potlatch: A Tsimshian Celebration.1997,
0823412903. Describes the traditions of the Tsimshian Indians of the Northwest Coast, and particularly those connected with a potlatch they hold to celebrate their heritage. Div II reading level, but lots of good photos.
Plain, Ferguson. (AA), Eagle Feather - An Honour. 1988, 0-921827-12-1.
This is a story of a boy and his grandfather, their special relationship and their
respect for traditional knowledge. The story is about a young Ojibwa boy and
his achievement in receiving a highly prestigious honour in his Ojibwa culture: an Eagle feather. This young boy, whose guide is his grandfather, gains
knowledge and wisdom. Monochromatic illustrations, but a topic seldom covered in the literature.
Spalding, Andrea. Solomon's Tree. 2002, 1-55143-217-X. Solomon has a
special friendship with the big old maple outside his house. He knows the tree
in all seasons and all weathers. When a terrible storm tears it up by its roots,
Solomon is devastated. But through the healing process of making a mask,
from part of the tree, with his uncle, he learns that the cycle of life continues
and so does the friendship between himself and the tree.
Shaw-MacKinnon, Margaret. Tiktala. 1996, 0-7737-2920-8. Tiktala is a picture book that tells the tale of transformation. It is a story about the evolution
of an artist in a northern Native community that many feel is losing its traditional values. Tiktala is a young adult who takes a journey that changes her
life and makes her realize the importance of carrying on cultural traditions.
Picture Cree
Book
toms behind the powwow
Traditions
celebration.
Invite an Aboriginal drum &
dance troupe to perform at
the school and to teach
powwow dances.
Play Sasquatch Exterminator.
Describe the regalia and the Social Studies:
powwow dance.
Traditions
Play Sasquatch Exterminator.
Picture
Book
What do the two different
pairs of shoes represent in
Maggie’s life?
Social Studies:
Traditions
Picture TsimBook
shian
What is a potlatch? Read
Secret of the Dance.
Social Studies:
Traditions
Picture Ojibwa
Book
Why is an eagle feather
awarded?
Social Studies:
Traditions
Picture TsimBook
shian
Describe some of the tradi- Social Studies:
tions that Solomon’s family Traditions
have.
Picture Inuit
Book
Why are traditions important?
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Social Studies:
Traditions
18
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
Beautiful illustrations.
Kusugak, Michael. My Arctic 1, 2, 3. 1996, 1-55037-504-0. This beautiful
picture book uses a northern community as the background for basic counting
from 1 to 10. After 10 there are pages to illustrate the numbers 20, 100, and 1
000 000. Focuses on the Inuit community, language and wildlife. Includes
glossary and information about the arctic, its wildlife and climate.
Goble, Paul. Legend of the White Buffalo Woman, 1998, 0792270746. This
is the Lakota legend of the Sacred Calf Pipe. Other legends are incorporated
to frame the story. Factual information is included so there is a blend of story
and information. Magnificent illustrations contain well-researched elements
of Aboriginal design.
Goble, Paul. Iktomi and the Berries, 1988, 0833592076. This picture book
tells the humorous tale of the trickster Iktomi. Iktomi's thoughts are printed in
small type and passages printed in gray encourage the reader and listeners to
remark on Iktomi's actions.
Goble, Paul. Iktomi and the Buzzard: A Plains Indian Story. 1998,
0531086623. Iktomi the trickster tries to fool a buzzard into carrying him
across the river on the buzzard's back. Asides printed in italics may be used
by the storyteller to encourage listeners to make their own remarks about the
action, as in traditional Iktomi storytelling.
Goble, Paul. Gift of the Sacred Dog, 1980, 0027365603. This is the story of
the coming of horses to the Aboriginal peoples. The tribes called them by different names: Big Dog, Elk Dog, Mysterious Dog, Holy or Sacred Dog. In
this story the people are starving and the Great Spirit gives the sacred dog to a
hungry boy seeking relief. Horses enable the tribe to hunt for buffalo.
Marchand, Barbara. We are the People: A Trilogy of Okanagan Legends.
1984, 0-919441-22-X. Legends with time-honoured lessons for children - the
values and sharing and respect.
Three stories in the collection:
How Food Was Given: An Okanagan Legend
How Names Were Given
How Turtle Set the Animals Free
Steptoe, John. Story of Jumping Mouse. 1983, 0688019021. The gifts of
Magic Frog and his own hopeful and unselfish spirit bring Jumping Mouse
finally to the Far-Off Land where no mouse goes hungry. Black and white
illustrations.
Dabcovich, Lydia. Polar Bear Son: An Inuit Tale, 1997, 0-395-72766-9.
This folktale is about an old Inuit woman who takes in an orphan polar bear
and raises him as her son. Even after the old woman sends it away to save it
from the jealous men of the village, it still provides for her. It is a well-
Picture Inuit
Book
Characterize Inuit customs
and lifestyle.
Mathematics
Social Studies:
Traditions
Folklore Lakota Read for enjoyment.
(PourIdentify characteristics of
quoi)
the Aboriginal culture.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Folklore
Read for enjoyment.
(trickCompare to other trickster
ster)
stories.
Social Studies:
Traditions
Folklore Plains
(trickster)
Read for enjoyment.
Compare to other trickster
stories.
Language Arts:
Comparing stories
Picture
Book
Read for enjoyment. Compare to A Horse Called
Starfire.
Language Arts:
Comparing stories
Folktal (Okae
nagan)
Read for enjoyment.
Over the course of several
stories, build a chart that
characterizes Aboriginal
values.
What lessons do these stories teach?
What does Jumping Mouse
need?
Social Studies:
Traditions
Read for enjoyment.
Characterize customs and
lifestyle in the north.
What does “community”
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Folktal Plains
e
Folktale Inuit
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Language Arts:
Comparing stories
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
19
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
written, well-illustrated Inuit story. Beautiful illustrations; captures the beauty
and vastness of the Arctic landscape.
mean?
Why is community important to both Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal people?
Why do things sometimes
go wrong in a community?
Esbensen, Barbara. The Star Maiden, 1988, 0316249556. An Ojibway legend Folktal Ojibway Read for enjoyment.
Social Studies:
telling of how a star maiden visits the earth seeking, in the form of a flower,
e
Over the course of several
Traditions and
to root herself in the world, but finding no form just the right one until she
stories, build a chart that
Values
chooses the water lily which drifts like a star on blue waters.
characterizes Aboriginal
values.
Goble, Paul. Buffalo Woman, 1984, 0-689-71109-3. This picture book tells
Folktal
Read for enjoyment.
Social Studies:
the legend of the relationship between the people and the Buffalo Nation. A
e
Over the course of several
Traditions and
young hunter marries a buffalo in the form of a beautiful woman. They go to
stories, build a chart that
Values
live with his people. When his people reject her she goes back to her Buffalo
characterizes Aboriginal
Nation. The hunter's love for her causes him to follow her but he must pass
values.
several tests before being allowed to join the Buffalo Nation.
Goble, Paul. Iktomi and the Boulder. 1988, 0531070239. Iktomi, a Plains
Folktal Plains Read for enjoyment.
Language Arts:
Indian trickster, attempts to defeat a boulder with the assistance of some bats, e
Compare/contrast the boulHumour
in this story which explains why the Great Plains are covered with small
(Pour
der in the story with regular
stones.
quoi)
rocks. Boulder is: sunburned, bouncing, thumping, jumping, and angry.
Bouchard, David. (Métis Author). Qu'Appelle. 2002, 1-55192-475-7. Here is Folktal Cree
Read for enjoyment.
Social Studies:
a retelling of a famous Cree love story. It’s a tragic legend about a young
e
Over the course of several
Traditions and
brave who must leave his betrothed to lead a war party against the Blackfoot.
stories, build a chart that
Values
Heartbroken by his absence, she falls sick and dies. Upon his return, the brave
itemizes Aboriginal values.
cannot believe she is dead, and wanders the prairies to this day calling for her.
The elders say that if you go out to the prairies and listen you will hear the
brave looking for his lost love, calling out "Qui Appelle" - who is calling?
The pictures recall the life on the plains of South Saskatchewan in days gone
by. Shows Cree people and some of their culture with accurate details.
Lunge-Larsen, Lise. Legend of the Lady Slipper: An Ojibwe Tale, 1999,
Folklore Ojibwe Read for enjoyment.
Language Arts:
0395905125. A young girl leaves her community where everyone is sick to go (PourOver the course of several
Literature analyquoi)
to another community to get medicine. Winter weather makes her trip hard
stories, build a chart that
sis
and dangerous. When she loses her moccasins in the snow, her feet are cut by
lists and explains Aborigi- Science: Needs
the ice and leave a trail of blood. In the spring when the snow melts, she and
nal values.
of Animals and
her brother find beautiful new flowers wherever she had stepped. These flowCompare with Legend of
Plants, Seasonal
ers are shaped just like the little moccasins she had lost. The Ojibwa name the
Changes
the Lady’s Slipper
flower is ma-ki-sin waa-big-waan, the lady slipper. Beautifully illustrated.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
20
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
Wargin, Kathy-jo. Legend of the Lady’s Slipper. 2001, 1886947740. This is
the suspenseful tale of a young girl’s run through the forest in an attempt to
save the people of her village. The pink and white flowers of the lady’s slipper that carpet the ground each spring remind us of her sacrifice.
Creation Tales
Folklore Ojibwe Compare with Legend of
(Pourthe Lady Slipper: An
quoi)
Ojibwe Tale.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Simpson, Caroll. First Beaver. 2008, 9781894974509. Beautifully illustrated
in vivid colour, this is the story of ReeDee who follows her destiny and becomes the first beaver.
Picture
Book
(pourquoi)
Van Laan, Nancy. Rainbow Crow, 1989, 0679819428. A pourquoi story of
how the crow came to have black feathers. When winter comes and the animals become cold, crow seeks the assistance of the Great Spirit--who provides the gift of fire, but not without consequences to the bird’s plumage.
Folklore
Friesen, John W. And Now You Know: 50 Native American Legends. 2010,
9781550593846. Provides short origin, why (pourquoi), how, and trickster
stories from mostly Canadian Nations, including Peigan, Blackfoot, Cree, Iroquois, Dene, and Swampy Cree. (One black-and-white print illustration for
each story, not great quality. Some editing errors.) Includes Origin of Rocky
Mountains: A Cree Legend, Why Moose Has Loose Skin: A Swampy
Cree Legend and Origin of Chief Mountain: A Peigan Legend.
Toye, William. Illus. Elizabeth Cleaver. Loon’s Necklace. 1977, 0195406753.
When an old man's sight was restored by a loon, he gave the bird his precious
shell necklace as a reward. That is why the loon has a white collar and speckles on its back.
Folklore Many,
(PourCanaquoi,
dian
Toye, William and Elizabeth Cleaver, Illustrator. How Summer Came to
Canada. 1969, 1978, 0195402901. When the Winter came down from the
North to live in eastern Canada the land became frozen and white. Glooskap,
mythical lord and creator of the Micmac Indians, saves his people when he
brings a beautiful Queen to his country. Her name is Summer and she per-
North
west
Coast
Read Big Small and Little
Small from Spirit of Canada.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Read for enjoyment.
What does crow do to help
the other animals?
Compare this story with
Nanabosho Steals Fire.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
(Pourquoi)
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants, Seasonal
Changes
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Science: Creating
Color
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
trickster,
creation)
Folktale Tsim-
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Folktale Micmac Talk about the differences
Science: Season(pourbetween winter and sumal Changes
quoi)
mer that are shown in the
Language Arts:
story. How is colour used to Literature analyshow seasons and to hint at sis
(Pourquoi)
shian
(British
Columbia)
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
21
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
suades Winter to relax his icy grip every Spring while she awakens the land
from its deep sleep and bestows life on everything that grows.
Krensky, Stephen. How Coyote Stole Summer: A Native American Tale.
(On My Own Folklore) 2000, 9780822575481. Coyote the trickster is always
up to something. This time he steals summer! Easy reading.
Cleaver, Elizabeth. Enchanted Caribou. 1985, 0195404920. This is an Inuit
tale about why the white caribou is treated kindly. A young woman named
Tyya becomes lost in a fog. A young man, Etosack, finds her and takes her
back to his tent. While he and his brothers are hunting, an evil shaman comes
to the tent and changes Tyya into a white caribou. That night Etosack dreams
about his dead grandmother, who tells him how to save Tyya. Now, Inuit
people treat white caribou kindly in case it might be an enchanted human.
Bouchard, David. (Métis author) Raven’s Greatest Creation. 2011, 9780978432775. One of Bouchard’s best books, this story combines many folklore elements from Canadian Aboriginal tradition to tell a marvellous creation
story. Includes a CD with all artwork and music done by Aboriginal artists.
Toye, William (NA). Elizabeth Cleaver, Illustrator (NA). Mountain Goats of
Temlaham. 1969, 0-19-540320-7. This legend teaches the consequences of
breaking the law of the hunt of the Tsimshian Indians of British Columbia.
The mountain goats take revenge on the men of Temlahan for killing goats
needlessly and being wasteful and greedy. One young boy shows compassion
and his life is saved by one of the goats. Children hear the message very easily and enjoy the colourful collage illustrations.
Umpherville, Tina. Spring Celebration. 1995, 0-921827-46-6. This picture
book relays as much information through its water-colour illustrations as it
does through text. Students will come to learn a lot about this northern “spring
celebration” and the representative northern family through the interaction of
both illustrations and text. A positive portrayal of a northern community.
Olsen, Sylvia. Yetsa’s Sweater. 2006, 1550391550. Yetsa’s grandmother is
one of the famous sweater knitters of the Coast Salish. Yetsa helps her
grandmother prepare the wool, and is eventually rewarded by a new sweater
that her grandmother has knit for her. Information at the end of the book explains the history of the Cowichan sweaters.
McCurdy, Michael. An Algonquian Year: A Year According to the Full
Moon, 2000, 0618007059. As the moon changes, so do the seasons and the
pattern of life for the Northern Algonquians in pre-colonial North America.
With text and black and white scratchboard illustrations, we see the busy cycle of work, play and survival, and the dignity of people who live in harmony
with nature.
Folktale (Wyo(trickster)
ming)
Shoshone
Folktale Inuit
(Pourquoi)
the coming seasons?
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
What happens when there is Science: Seasonno summer?
al Changes
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Science: Needs
of Animals and
Plants
Folktale Canadi- Activity: Pourquoi and
(Pour- an
Creation Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
quoi)
(Ojibwe)
Science: Needs of
Animals, Plants
Folktale Tsim- Why are the traditions of the Science: Needs
shian
Tsimshian people imof Animals and
portant?
Plants
Social Studies:
Traditions
Picture Cree
Book
Compare the spring activiScience: Seasonties in the story to your own al Changes
spring activities.
Social Studies:
Traditions
Picture Coast
Book
Salish
Social Studies:
Traditions
NonAlHow did the Algonquian
fiction gonpeople prepare for and live
quians through each month and
season of the year?
How does your family prepare for seasonal changes?
Science: Seasonal Changes
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
22
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 1
Using Children’s Literature in Teaching Elementary Social Studies
Advantages:










Widespread availability
Easily integrated into thematic curricula
Generally more up to date
More focused and provide an in-depth look at social studies concepts
More interesting and less confusing for students than textbooks
Story lines help students remember concepts better
Contain colourful pictures and graphics
Present a more human side of social studies than do textbooks
Evoke both efferent (factual) and aesthetic response (emotional)
Support Inquiry and Research Processes
What Do We Look For In Non-Fiction?
Criteria:
 Large, clear, high quality colour illustrations, including both photos and drawings
 Drawings include graphs, diagrams, tables and other structures that plot information and show relationships
 Illustrations that match and support the text
 Captions that support the material
 Index
 Table of Contents
 Glossary
 Authority and currency evident in sources used in content development (e.g., sources and authorities listed)
 Text appropriate as to size, font type, placement, amount per page
 Headings and sub-headings used frequently throughout the text
 Content suitable for age of student
 Content appropriate for the intended unit of study
 Content organized in “chunks” of related material
 Print broken up by illustrations, boxes, sidebars, etc., so as to avoid long, intimidating sections of text.
 Appealing format
 Canadian or Albertan content where appropriate and available
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
23