Lesson

First Nation Tipi Symbols Date Nov. 9, 2023

Title/Focus
Time
Subject/
Grade 2 Social Studies Duratio 20 minutes
Grade Level
n

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

General
2.1.3 investigate the cultural and linguistic characteristics of a community in
Learning
Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions for
Outcomes
inquiry:
:
Specific
• What are the cultural characteristics of the communities (e.g., special symbols,
Learning
shared stories or traditions)? (CC, LPP,
Outcomes
TCC)
:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will become familiar with some of the First Nation symbols that were used to share a
history that would be displayed on Tipis.

ASSESSMENTS (How I will know students have achieved the objective(s))

Students will share a story using 3 symbols and then another student will decode its meaning.

Prior to the Lesson MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

 Photocopies of symbols White boards and dry erase markers

 Digital copy to place on smart board

PROCEDURE
Introduction Time

Draw a symbol on the board and ask the students to tell me what that represents.
Moon, sun, mountains,

Symbols and pictures are similar. They both can give meaning but a picture could
have multiple meanings and details a symbol has a just one meaning, and it has
less details.
3 min
For example – draw a red octagon on the board and ask what this symbol
means?
One meaning – less details

In the past couple of days, we read a story without word, we listened to a story
without pictures and now we are going to use symbols to create a story.

Body Time

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 1

We know that hunting is a very important part of the First Nation culture. I’m going
to draw a few symbols and let’s see if we can guess what they mean in regards to
meaning. (hunt, tracks: deer, bird, horse, bear)

The First Nation people have a strong connection to nature let’s decode these
nature symbols. Blossom, rain, lightening, river
Cycles of growth in life and nature: compare spring and summer, time – 3 days vs
many days.

Life: happy, sad, good luck, friendship fast, famine, camp, good crops, war

Activity: have students pass out white boards and symbol charts. 13 min

Now let’s put it all together.

For 3 days, I hunted for birds by the river.
Draw it out on your white board.

Now it is your turn to try to communicate something using these symbols and
share it with an elbow partner.

Closure Time

Thumbs up or thumbs down or thumbs to the side - Review.

Does a stop sign have more than one meaning?

5 min
Do symbols have more than one meaning?

Lesson
Creating Tipis Date Nov. 9, 2023
Title/Focus
Subject/Grade Time
Grade 2 Fine Arts 60 minutes
Level Duration

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

General
Learning Students will record or document activities, people and discoveries.
Outcomes:
Specific
Learning Knowledge gained from study or experimentation can be recorded visually.
Outcomes:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will use knowledge gained from Indigenous studies during their social studies unit
Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 2
about the practical physical design, the cultural significance, and the symbolic nature of images
to create a three-dimensional tipi.

ASSESSMENTS (How I will know students have achieved the objective(s))

Students will have created a three-dimensional art project that incorporates First Nation
symbols to tell a story.

Prior to the Lesson MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

 Photocopy outline of tipis on brown paper Students: felts, scissors, glue

 Create a PowerPoint to illustrate key point

PROCEDURE
Introduction Time
Earlier our class went on a virtual field trip to Wanuskewin Heritage Park in
Saskatoon where the students learned about building a tipi and the sacred
symbolism of the poles in the design of the tipi. For the Cree, 3 poles represented
childhood, 3 poles represented adulthood, other poles were strength within us,
hope, protection and connection with nature. We also learned about the importance
about the physical design and function of the tipi. Earlier today we learned about 5 min
the physical symbols that First Nations used to tell their stories. Now we are going
to put all that together and create our own tipis and share a story using the First
Nations Symbols. We want to do our best work because the finished products will
be put together and displayed in the learning commons.

Body Time

Show them the symbols again and explain that traditional colours are red, yellow,
black, green, brown, white and blue (rare).

Then explain that the tipis are divided into thirds. The bottom represents the earth,
15 min
the land and Mother Earth. The center is for the story that uses symbols. The top
third is related or the sky / cosmos. Remember some of the things we saw this
week in MakerSpace from space if you need some inspiration.

There is a PowerPoint presentation that includes this information.

30min
Once you have completed your tipi you can put it on the wooden desk at the back
of the classroom and begin a quiet choice activity.

Closure Time
10 min
Comment on the great things you observed. Details, thought, stories, focus,
enthusiasm.

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 3

Feedback on the project: what did you like about this activity?
Final clean - up

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 4