Climate Change Curriculum Connections 2

SCIENCE

The NWT curriculum for Science K-6 is in the process of change. However, the following topics, proposed for the new curriculum, relate to climate change:

• Growth and Changes in Animals
• Energy from Wind and Moving Water
• Air and Water in the Environment

DENE KEDE CURRICULUM K-6

“In order to survive and to live life to the fullest, Dene students must develop respectful relationships with the Land, the Spiritual World, Other People and Themselves. These relationships are best developed with the aid of the Dene Elders and their voice which is the Dene Language.”

General Learner Expectations

The Land

Enjoy the Land:

• be aware of the sights, sounds, smell and feel of the land (K-6)
• recall personal land experiences (K-6)
• enjoy and retell others’ stories about the land (K-6)

Demonstrate increasing skills in land survival:

• observe habitats and habits of plants and animals (K-6)
• familiarity with how Dene use plants and animals (K-6)
• Observe nature and its ways (K-6)

The People

Understand the importance of group identity and group cooperation for survival:

• with others in the extended family, community and tribe and Dene Nation (K-6)
• work within a group with assigned responsibilities (K-6)

Thematic Units

The Land and the Sky:
Water and Rivers

Water and Rivers

• students can learn how important water is for life

The Land

• know the characteristics of the rivers and lakes in different seasons, i.e., the animals hunted and the condition of the river (K-6)
  
  
  • spring: water levels, breakup and ice conditions, beaver, ducks, fish spawning grounds
  • winter: ice conditions, fish, which rivers do not freeze over
  • fall: freeze-up and ice conditions, ducks, geese, moose
  • summer: windy and calm, fish

The People

• be aware of how the seasonal changes of rivers or lakes near a community affect the mood and activity in a community: summer traffic and travel, threat of flooding, etc. (K-4)

Plants

• students will recognize the different kinds of plants in their area and know what their uses are
• The Land:
  
  
  • Recognize, name and pick local plants used for food, dyes, medicines or domestic purposes (K-6)

Animals

Caribou

• to give students understanding and appreciation of the caribou
• The Land:
  
  
  • know kinds of caribou, their habitat, migration patterns, life cycles and kinds within a herd (K-6)
  • know what caribou eat (K-3)

Birds

• students will begin to notice and appreciate the many birds found in the North and their value to the Dene both past and present
• The Land:
  
  
  • identify edible and non-edible birds in local area, and describe their habits or characteristics (K-6)

People

Grandparents

• students should know about the traditional role of grandparents in Dene cultures, and how important they are for transmitting the knowledge, skills and attitudes of our ancestors
• The Land:
  
  
  • know that elders are a rich source of information about the land (K-6)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 2

General Outcome 1:
Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.

1.2 Clarify and Extend

• connect new information, ideas, and experiences with prior knowledge and experiences
• explain new experiences and understanding

General Outcome 2:
Comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, print and other media texts.

2.3 Understand Forms and Techniques

• create original texts [such as oral or written stories, pictures, dramatizations] to communicate and demonstrate understanding of forms and techniques

General Outcome 3:
Manage ideas and information.

3.1 Plan and Focus

• record personal knowledge of a topic to identify information needs
• recall and follow directions for accessing and gathering information

3.2 Select and Process

• participate in group talk to generate information on a topic and to identify sources of additional information
• access information using a variety of sources [such as simple chapter books, multimedia resources, computers, elders]

3.3 Organize, Record and Evaluate

• categorize related information and ideas using a variety of strategies [such as linking significant details, sequencing events in a logical order...]
• record key facts and ideas in own words
• examine gathered information to decide what information to share or omit

General Outcome 4:
Enhance the clarity and artistry of communication

4.1 Generate and Focus

• generate and contribute ideas on particular topics for oral, written, and visual texts
• use a variety of forms [such as simple reports, llustrations, role-plays of characters and situations, string games...] for particular audiences and purposes

4.4 Present and Share

• share information and ideas on a topic with a familiar audience; clarify information by responding to questions

General Outcome 5:
Celebrate and build community

5.1 Encourage, Support and Work With Others

• contribute related ideas and information in whole-class and small-group activities