Grade 10 Social Studies: How Have Aboriginal Artists Influenced Canadian Identity? (part 1)
Objectives
It is expected that the student will:
Describe how the contributions of and relationships with Aboriginal peoples influenced Canadian identity
Develop critical thinking skills through evaluating materials
Develop research skills by searching for archival and present-day materials on the Internet
Work collaboratively to reach conclusions
Materials
Multicultural Canada archival collection
Computers
Access to Internet
Activities
Introduction:
Students work in groups to brainstorm contributions Aboriginal people have made to the Canada. Students will share their ideas with the class. After students have completed sharing their ideas, the teacher will address the issue of aboriginal art (whether or not students have mentioned it). Students will be asked to get back into their groups and brainstorm what they know specifically about Aboriginal art. They will also be asked to brainstorm why Aboriginal art is an important aspect of Canadian identity. Students will share what they have brainstormed with the class.
Study:
Students will be asked to research Canadian Aboriginal art, in the form of images and articles from both the archival collection and elsewhere on the internet and/or other sources. When researching, students will be asked to answer the question:
How have the contributions of Aboriginal artists influenced Canadian identity?
Students will be asked to write a newspaper article on Aboriginal artists and their influence on Canadian identity. The newspaper students will be writing for is “What is Canadian?” In the article, students will include images of aboriginal art they have found while researching the archival collection as well as other sources. Students may also include images, past or present-day, which show the influence of Aboriginal peoples on Canadian identity.
Conclusion:
Students will write a short reflection on what they have learned from doing this assignment.
Assessment
Students will be assessed on their article; in particular, how their article demonstrates critically thinking in terms of contributions made by Aboriginal people and how these contributions have impacted society today. See rubric on critical thinking.
Extension
Students research how other world cultures, or their own cultures, have influenced Canadian identity by means of values, architecture, business practices, art etc.
Research the portrayal of Aboriginals in popular media, magazines, and school textbooks.
