Description
Students will learn about moose hunting from an Elder’s perspective, and how the five human senses are used to hunt.
Acknowledgement Protocol
Please read this Acknowledgement before the start of this lesson to respect the knowledge that is being shared and the Land of the People where the knowledge originates.
This lesson plan was created by Mary McMillan, Liard First Nation, Watson Lake, Yukon.
Teacher's Guide
Background / Foundational Information
Please review the Elder checklist (in the appendix in the lesson plan below) well in advance of inviting an Elder to the classroom.
Lesson Plan
The documents that make up this lesson plan. Open Info for a summary of what each one covers.
- An Elder's Tale - Lesson PlanPDF · 413 KB
Info
This is the complete lesson plan for this lesson.
Assessment
This section contains information for assessing progress in students' learning. While Indigenous approaches to assessment may be highlighted, conventional assessment methods may also be discussed.
When the Elder is finished speaking, the students will be asked to imagine they are either hunters or moose. They will then be asked to write a journal entry, approximately a paragraph in length, about the senses they would need to use to hunt a moose or escape the hunter.
Assessment of the journal entry has very broad criteria - it only relates to the Elder's story; and as long as that criteria is met, students can be as creative as they like.
Where can I find additional information?
- BC New Curriculum (2018)Link
- Plants and Connection to Place, Cross-Curricular Unit, Grade 8Link
Info
This Yukon First Nations Curriculum Working Group document is the source of the document in the Appendix, Working with Elders: A Checklist (p. 32).
- Kaska Talking DictionaryLink
Info
Scroll down this webpage; read the Kaska language and listen to the sounds and how words are pronounced. You can ask if the Elder visiting the class can share with the classroom and speak the language as he talks about moose hunting.
Holism and All Our Relations
This lesson plan has been developed with an Indigenous lens that is holistic in nature, and addresses the following:
Relationship with the land
Students will learn from an Elder about their relationship with the land and how it is important for hunting and survival.
Language and Culture
Students will have the opportunity to learn some words in Kaska (or another local language) from the Elder.
Intergenerational learning with Elders / Knowledge Holders
Were Elders or Knowledge Holders involved in the development of this Lesson Plan? Yes Can Elders or Knowledge Holders be invited to help teach part of this lesson plan? Yes
Ethics in the classroom: care, truthfulness and trust, respect, integrity
Students will use all these values as they learn to listen respectfully to the Elder and engage with the stories that they are telling.
Relationship with family, ancestors
Students will learn the importance of working with others to have a successful hunt.
Connections with everyday life
Students will connect the Elder's story with hunting practices used in everyday life. They will also explore how the five senses are used to hunt and experience the outdoors.
Healthy relationship with self and identity
Students reflect on their identity through the Elder's story, and through the introspective process of writing a journal entry.
Personal reflection time (connecting with thoughts and feelings)
At the end of the lesson, students are encouraged to use thier imagination to put themselves inside of the Elder's story. They will then have some time to reflect and put what they learned into a journal entry.