Aboriginal Perspectives

 

Transformations

Jessica Wesaquate

Strand:

Number (Number Concepts)

Grade Level:

One

Subject Area:

Mathematics

WNCP:

Main Objective:

Students will use numbers to describe quantities and represent numbers in multiple ways.

General Outcome:

Recognize and apply whole numbers from 0 to 100, and explore halves, in familiar settings.
Specific Outcomes:

Demonstrate, and explain orally, an understanding of halves as part of a shape or solid.

Materials:

Tipi raising video with Glen Anaquod: Video 2 –" Laying out the canvas", computer, projector or Smartboard, pencils, scissors, Saskatoon berries (or chokecherries, other berries), birch bark biting samples

Activities:
  1. Show students the tipi raising video 2 titled ‘Laying out the canvas.’ Have students look at what shape the canvas is laying on the grass. Ask students to orally explain where they would cut the canvas if they were to put into two.

    You can print off the shape of the canvas for students to practice cutting it in half using pencils, and furthermore with scissors. Have them do the same with the other shapes in the tipi. For example – you can print off or have them create the shape of the pins that go across the front of the tipi. They can demonstrate with their pencil where the half mark would go. You could also use the poles or pegs.

    When students cut their shape in half. Have them color one half.

  2. One of the foods that traditionally gave First Nations people healthy and full of vitamins was the berry. The berry was also mixed with buffalo meat and fat to create a long-lasting type of food called pemmican. Today First Nations people still use berries in their cooking in things like pies. Have students work in groups of two and give them an even number of berries. Ask them to split them in half amongst themselves.

  3. Explore the concept of symmetry with the birch bark biting samples on our website. Print off samples and have students fold them in half. They will discover that the design will be the same on one side as the next. You can give them the opportunity to cut the images in halves.

CELS:

Communication – Students will be sharing their learning orally with teacher and peers. They will have the opportunity to learn with a peer.