Rhea's plan

Name: Rhea Wilson
Topic: Legends of the First Nations People of Canada
Grade: 4

Main Purpose
Students will be familiar with a variety of text types once they have reached the Grade 4 level. By introducing First Nations legends, children can discover a new genre of writing while learning about the rich history of oral traditions within many cultures of Canada. Students will write their own legend and perform the story for an audience.

Rationale
In English Language Arts, it is important to ensure that children have many opportunities for writing and to allow for choice and creativity within their projects. The style of storytelling associated with legends can be utilized to create different multimodal texts and provides students with a range of learning opportunities. The topic of legends can be integrated with the Social Studies curriculum which investigates the history of First Nations people in Canada, the Art curriculum which includes printmaking and painting, the Music curriculum in which students use musical instruments to enhance a story and even the Physical Education curriculum which includes creative movement that might be incorporated with storytelling projects.

Major Activity
Students will write their own legends and then perform the story for the class.

Planning Process Summary
Familiarity with text type: Develop understanding of multimodal texts
• Learn how legends were told using an oral storytelling format
• Read samples from different First Nations groups of Canada

Capture ideas: Note and develop initial ideas
• Use a character sketch template to create characters, including a trickster figure
• Review the handout outlining elements of a legend and make notes

Plan: Develop, record and structure initial ideas
• Plan the legend
• Keep in mind the performance which will be mapped out using a storyboard

Draft: Develop ideas from the plan into a structured text
• Write the legend
• Begin the storyboard

Revise: Alter and improve the draft
• Use peer conferencing for some feedback

Proof read: Check design and layout, spelling and punctuation
• Edit the final draft of the legend
• Complete the storyboard and work out details for the performance

Present: Prepare and present a final copy to a reader/audience
• Perform the legend for an audience

Student Resources

Enrico, John. (1984). Raven and the Moon and Oystercatcher: Two Haida Legends. Vancouver: Wedge.
This book contains two legends of the Haida people from the West coast of Canada.

McLellan, Joseph. (2006). Nanabosho and Porcupine. Winnipeg; Pemmican Publications.
McLellan, Joseph. (2000). Nanabosho Grants a Wish. Winnipeg; Pemmican Publications.
McLellan, Joseph. (1994). Nanabosho: How the Turtle Got Its Shell. Winnipeg; Pemmican Publications.
McLellan, Joseph. (1990). Nanabosho Steals Fire. Winnipeg; Pemmican Publications.
Nanabosho is a popular character in Ojibwe legends used to depict the trickster figure. Joseph McLellan has written several books using Nanabosho as the central figure.

Steptoe, John. (1984). The Story of Jumping Mouse : a Native American Legend. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books.
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.

Aboriginal Canada Portal. Traditional Way of Living: Legends. Retrieved December 9, 2008, from http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/acp/site.nsf/en/ao04580.html
An excellent website with several diverse samples of legends of the First Nations people of Canada.

Teacher Resources

Ahenakew, F., Gardipy, B. & Lafond, B. (1995). Voices of the First Nations: Teacher’s Guide. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
A guide which may be used in conjunction with readings and is useful for a unit on First Nations people.

Bearne, E. & Wolstencroft H. (2007). Visual Approaches to Teaching Writing. London: Paul Chapman.
A writing textbook that focuses on multimodal texts and the relationship between texts and images.

Sundmark, Janice. (1992). Using Native Legends in Elementary Language Arts: a Resource Manual for Teachers. Edmonton: University of Alberta.
A teacher’s resource for using native legends in conjunction with elemenary Language Arts.

VideoX Blogspot. Storyboards & Templates. Retrieved December 9, 2008, from
http://www.utopian.flipbrothers.com/resource/widescreentemplate.jpg
A website with several storyboard templates available for use which assist with “solving logistical and continuity problems before they occur”.

Voices in the Wind [videorecording]. Dir. Chris Tiffio. Regina: Partners in Motion. 2000.
A documentary special exploring the oral history and traditions of the First nations of the Plains. Approved for use in Alberta schools.