Critical Review of Curriculum
This activity will provide an opportunity for you to critically review and adapt a lesson, activity, or assessment that you have used in your teaching and to revise it to incorporate Indigenous approaches.
Small group discussion (30 min) – groups of 6
Examine one of your group member’s learning activities to determine if it includes any Indigenous epistemologies or pedagogies. Identify one or two instances where Indigenous epistemologies or pedagogies could be interwoven into your lesson, activity, or assessment. For example, are there any areas where you could include a greater focus on the emotional and spiritual knowledge domains?
Reflect on the following questions below (adapted from the work of Halbert and Kaser, 2013):
- Does every student have genuine opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of and respect for Indigenous ways of knowing?
- Do all students have the chance to teach someone else and through doing so contribute to the community as a whole?
- Will Indigenous students see themselves reflected in the curriculum on an ongoing basis and not just as a “one off” or as a special unit?
- Is deep listening a part of students’ everyday experience?
- To what extent are students expected to do the best they can on all tasks while keeping an eye on how they can help others?
Will every student feel their voice is valued? - What are the opportunities for learners to express themselves in a variety of ways?
- Is oral storytelling valued?
- Will students have opportunities to connect with and learn from Elders?
- Do assessment activities value holistic development?
