During the months of November and December the students in 2 O’C studied the community of Iqaluit. We came to appreciate how this community is shaped by its past, where it is located and how this community survives its harsh climate.
We started with 2 book studies: A Walk on the Tundra and A Walk on the Shoreline both written by Rebecca Hainaut. Both story books convey the traditional uses of various plants and animals on the tundra and Arctic shoreline. I included a few short videos and Inuit art to deepen our understanding of arctic animals and how they are hunted.
At the same time the students started to create a piece of art which would become an information card. My idea was for the students to share their learning with students from another class using their art piece as a reference point. As a class we developed a rubric deciding what kind of information would be considered a proficient understanding of Iqaluit and what would be considered an exemplary understanding.
The students created beautiful pieces of art and were able to share their understanding of Iqaluit with students from grade 1, Mr. Wityshyn and siblings from other grades.