Grades 3–8

Four student books focus on Indigenous communities across Canada, the need for reconciliation, and the actions people are taking to make a difference. Through these examples, students will realize that they too can have an impact and work towards reconciliation.

We asked Indigenous educators across the country for advice and then brought together a team of ten highly-qualified and knowledgeable advisors to develop the resource. The team took the lead planning the content of a grades 3–8 resource with a focus on community, land, well-being, and reconciliation. They contributed articles, photographs, ideas, expertise, wisdom, and perspectives and oversaw every aspect of the resource.

Student Resource

Take Action for Reconciliation inquiry-based student books focus on Indigenouscultures, languages, and worldviews and include:

• Indigenous voices and perspectives throughout
• Contemporary stories and historical truths
• Examples of actions people have taken to promote reconciliation
• Quotes by Indigenous leaders and Elders highlighting ideas and/or issues
• Think About It! section to prompt further inquiry and help students connect to their own lives
• Learn About It! section offering additional facts and information or questions for students to research
• Final Project: a call to take action, share your learning, taking a step in reconciliation

The magazine-style format books are highly visual, and feature:

• engaging texts with a grade appropriate range of reading levels
• a variety of text forms such as infographics, articles, profiles, comics, interviews, and descriptions
• non-fiction features such as photos, captions, maps and labels

Teacher's Resource

The 80-page teacher's guide for each grade includes:

• Getting Started section with:
  • Background information on preparing to teach the unit
  • Questions to ask yourself about the topic, social/political contexts, cultural perspectives, and your students
  • Ways to introduce the unit and the inquiry question (e.g., what makes communities strong?)
  • Assessment ideas and learning outcomes

• Lesson Plans for each selection in the student book with:
  • Background information about the selection, e.g., the history, perspectives, and culture
  • prompts for connecting to the final project at various points in the unit
  • a list of recommended multi-media resources (videos, websites, books)
  • a summary of the selection, indication of level of reading difficulty, and vocabulary
  • questions for before reading to prompt students to build or reflect on background knowledge
  • questions to deconstruct the text on the page and reconstruct meaning
  • cross-curricular suggestions to extend conceptual learning and understanding
  • questions for further inquiry and going deeper into the topic or selection

• Pronunciation Guide at the back of the guide

• Additional Teaching Supports will also be available on the Take Action for Reconciliation website, including assessment and links to recommended resources (websites, maps, books, videos)