Suggested Grade Level(s): Intermediate Curricular Links: Art (elements of design), Visual Literacy, Symbolism
Big Ideas:
First Nations Peoples' used petroglyphs to communicate stories and ideas
Step 1: Literal Observation: What do you see? What do you think the message is that the artist is trying to convey? Why do you think the artist used the chosen images and colours? What memories, thoughts, concerns or questions do you have when looking at this image?
Step 2: Interpretation/Task: Brainstorm with students reasons that people recycle goods and waste products. Students make personal connections to “reducing, reusing, and recycling” that is done at home, in the community, and at school. Teacher prompts: Why is protecting the earth so important? Identify some areas of concern (environmental, social) in the class or neighbourhood.
Introduce to students some of the common recycling symbols found in BC communities (e.g., a recycling box, recycling symbols on the bottom of plastic bottles).
Step 3: Evaluation/Interpretation: Generate some ideas for activities that the students could undertake to help provide possible solutions to the problem of the challenge of protecting mother earth (e.g., start a recycling program in the classroom, involve parents and students in demonstrating their ideas for recycling at home). If appropriate, follow through with some or all of these activities.
Cross Curriculuar Extensions: Literacy Connections: Share with students a story that tells of an Aboriginal perspective on respect for the land. Explore the various perspectives with students (e.g., those of a farmer, an environmentalist, a forester) through different pieces of literature, and compare/contrast the perspectives. Click on the suggested pieces of literature below.
Mathematical connections:
Making Community Connections: § Invite a knowledgeable member of the Aboriginal or broader community into the classroom to speak about his or her perspective on respect for the land. Possible sources include local friendship centres; Métis Nation of Ontario offices; Elders, senators, or wisdom keepers; Indian and Northern Affairs Canada; the Ministry of the Environment; or local environmental organizations.