There are many books related to Native Americans of the Northwest Coast that can help students to better visualize and understand the people and their rich culture. Some short picture books can be used as a whole class read-alouds where other longer books can be used as longer novel studies. In this activity, students will create a plot summary of the book using visuals and descriptions.
The book used for the example storyboard is Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell. Shi-shi-etko is a beautifully illustrated and poignant book appropriate for Grades 2–6. It is the story about Shi-shi-etko who is about to have to leave her family and everything she knows to attend a residential school.
Residential schools in Canada and the United States ripped children away from their families in a forced effort to assimilate Native Americans into European American culture. Children were not allowed to speak their language or practice their customs and would be punished for doing so. It is estimated that between 1831-1996, hundreds of thousands of Native American children were forcibly removed from their homes by government agents and placed in residential (or “boarding”) schools that were run by the government and churches.
Former Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, issued an official apology on June 11, 2008: “Two primary objectives of the residential school system were to remove and isolate children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them into the dominant culture. These objectives were based on the assumption Aboriginal cultures and spiritual beliefs were inferior and unequal. Indeed, some sought, as it was infamously said, 'to kill the Indian in the child.' Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country.”
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Summarize the story in a 3-5 cell storyboard describing the main events in the beginning, middle and end of the story.
Student Instructions
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
---|---|---|---|
Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |