Overview
Although each unit has an example plan, teachers are not required to teach any, or all of the lessons, provided. They are there to provide teachers with a guide to what a unit could possibly look like. Teachers could use the entire pre-made unit, or pick and choose which assessments would work best for their students. However, teachers can also choose to create the unit in any way they deem appropriate for their learners. There are a few elements that need to be considered when creating a unit, however.
Autonomy
Although each unit has an example plan, teachers are not required to teach any, or all of the lessons, provided. They are there to provide teachers with a guide to what a unit could possibly look like. Teachers could use the entire pre-made unit, or pick and choose which assessments would work best for their students. However, teachers can also choose to create the unit in any way they deem appropriate for their learners. There are a few elements that need to be considered when creating a unit, however.
Considerations
Each unit will have to have explicit connections to land and place. As teachers are creating lessons, think of ways that the class can get out onto the land to meaningfully find ways to learn. Each unit has an example of what this could look like, yet, each teacher is free to use the land in any way that works for their class.
Each unit should have a place for students to analyze the text. There are example questions that students can engage the text with. However, each teacher is welcome to adjust and/or change how the students are analyzing the text.
Thinking and oracy is a central pedagogical framework that BDDEC emphasizes. It is paramount that each unit has an opportunity for students to share their thinking with each other. Here is a link to our district Oracy folder.
Each classroom should have an area dedicated to learning that is ongoing. This could be questions that students come up with via a QFT, an essential question that the class is unpacking together, or any learning that has taken place. Here is an example of what visible learning could look like in your classroom.
Ensure that your lessons have explicit connections to the Dene Kede and/or Inuuqatigiit.
Wherever possible, give students the ability to choose: texts, assessments, products created, group choice, etc.
