Residential Schools Literacy Unit Shi shi etko

Seamlessly weave the introduction of Canada's residential school system and the magic and beauty of Indigenous traditions with your students by using literacy activities created around the award winning picture book, Shi-shi-etko by Interior Salish and Métis author Nicola I. Campbell. This week-long integrated language arts and social studies unit is guaranteed to captivate your students. It is filled with over 10 engaging literacy activities and a unique art project inspired by Shi-shi-etko's last four days at home with her family before being sent to residential school.

Provided in the download is access to the invaluable resource An Educator’s Introduction to Residential Schools in 12+ Clickable Links which connects classroom teachers with resources, interviews, documentaries, etc. to draw upon for their own learning.

Let Shi-shi-etko's story inspire you to be brave and take a step, stride or leap outside of your comfort zone in your classroom this school year. You can do it! Don't own your own copy of the book yet? It is readily available in most public libraries, through the publisher, sometimes in Scholastic Reading Clubs and there's a link in the resource to listen to it.

Unit Summary:

*Education for Reconciliation: Calls to Action #62 and #63

*Dear Educator: a letter from the author

*Week Long Unit Overview: Teacher Notes

*An Educator’s Introduction to Residential Schools in 10+ Clickable Links

*Learning Goal posters (2)

*Reconciliation definition poster

*Before reading journal prompts (4 options)

*QR code printable: Listen to reading

*W.I.C. (wonder, infer, connect) anchor chart headings and sample

*Reflect and Connect journal prompts (4 options)

*Compare and Contrast Venn Diagrams

*Determine the big Idea

*Acrostic Poem

*Visualization Activities

*Writing Paper (4 options)

*Shi-shi-etko focus words

*Vocabulary Game (I have, who has?)

*Shi-shi-etko’s Bag of Memories Art Activity

*Shi-shi-etko’s Final Days Diary (sample page provided)

*QR code printable: Watch Shi-shi-etko short film

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In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada made 94 Calls to Action. These resources were created in response to the Commission’s 62nd and 63rd Calls to Action:

Orange Shirt Day: freebie

la Journée du chandail orange: gratuit

Meet Tom Longboat-Indigenous Hero: freebie (part of the Teach for Justice collection)

Introduction to Residential Schools Unit Two: Shin-chi's Canoe (part of the Teach for Justice collection)

Cultural Appropriation or Appreciation: Inquiry Images

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If you are feeling apprehensive about teaching this unit, please don’t be. Included in the download is “An Educator’s Introduction to Residential Schools” with over twenty suggested links to help teachers build on their existing knowledge of residential schools.

I believe it is our duty as teachers to educate ourselves about Indigenous perspectives, cultures, and histories and to pass this on to our students. I hope this unit helps you do that. Thank you for taking an interest in this unit! Please ask any and all questions before purchasing by using the Q&A feature or emailing me at primarypatch@gmail.com.

All the best,

Bryn

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