ERIC Number: ED491527
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 232
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: ISBN-0-7785-4313-7
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Our Words, Our Ways: Teaching First Nations, Metis and Inuit Learners
Online Submission
This resource will help classroom teachers and staff better serve the needs of their Aboriginal students. The process of development was one of consultation, information gathering, drafting, more consultation and re-drafting. The contributors to this resource include Aboriginal Elders, teachers and psychologists, as well as other members of Alberta's Aboriginal communities. Culturally-relevant approaches effectively serve the learning needs of Aboriginal students. Traditional and contemporary Aboriginal cultures offer a number of frameworks for understanding, guiding, learning from and teaching students. The relationship between student and teacher is the heart of Aboriginal education. The teacher's relationship with each student is based on observing and learning about the individual child and his or her unique learning needs in order to help the child grow holistically--spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. This resource offers information about Aboriginal cultures and perspectives, practical ideas, and sample strategies that will help teachers meet the needs and recognize the gifts of Aboriginal students. Many of the sample strategies are good for all students and are relevant for a range of educational settings and contexts. The guiding principles reflect understanding and respect of diversities of aboriginal cultures, languages and histories, respectful classroom atmosphere, collaborative relationships with families and communities and teacher recognition and continued assessment of the learning strengths and needs of each Aboriginal student. The resource is organized into seven chapters: (1) Worldviews and Aboriginal Cultures: Where hearts are rooted; (2) Aboriginal Students: Who are they? How do they learn?; (3) The Classroom: A community of learners; (4) School, Family and Community: Sharing the responsibility; (5) Learning Strategies for Aboriginal Students: Opportunities to make learning meaningful; (6) Assessment: Authentic reflections of important learnings; and (7) Teaching Aboriginal Students with Learning Disabilities: Recognizing gifts and strengths. Each chapter contains information, sample strategies, shared wisdom from Aboriginal scholars and Elders, and related stories shared by Aboriginal teachers and liaisons. An index and feedback form are included in this document. (Contains 25 appendices.)
Descriptors: Indigenous Populations, Eskimos, Canada Natives, Students, Culturally Relevant Education, Learning Strategies, Learning Disabilities, Teacher Student Relationship, Student Evaluation, World Views, History, Cultural Differences, Classroom Environment, Parent School Relationship, School Community Relationship, Teaching Methods, Foreign Countries
Aboriginal Services Branch, 9th Floor, 44 Capital Boulevard, 10044 ? 108 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5E6. Tel: 780?415?9300; Fax: 780?415?9306,
Publication Type: Books; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Support Staff; Counselors; Teachers; Administrators
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Alberta Learning, Edmonton.
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A