Indigenous Education
In British Columbia, we have just started using a brand new curriculum, called the BC-Ed plan. For the most part, I like it. There are still some kinks being worked out, as there always is when a new program is introduced. Something I like about it is that it gives educators freedom to teach the big ideas through the vehicle, or unit of study, of their choosing. For instance, if it says I need to teach about plants and animals, I can choose how to go about this. In Kindergarten, we touch on plants in our Harvest unit, as well as in our farm unit. Likewise, we learn about animals both in our Farm unit and our Africa unit. Embedded throughout our entire curriculum is conversation and teaching about the First Peoples of Canada, and when possible or accessible, specific education on the Indigenous People of our southern BC region - the Sto:lo Nation. I have the honour of serving on the Indigenous Education Support Team at my school and we are learning more each time we meet. Our focus ...