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Description
This uniquely illustrated picture book tells the story of a young woman who is visited by her ancestors in a dream. After waking, she feels a strong determination to help the adults in her community make an important decision about their future, inspired by the knowledge she believes she gained during her dream. However, because of her youth, the adults disagree with her plan.
In her dreams, she meets her grandmother, who teaches her the importance of peace. She also learns from Turtle, her guide, who shows her how to appreciate both the living and non-living aspects of her environment throughout the changing seasons, teaching her valuable lessons from these experiences. By observing animals in their natural habitats she learns about the importance of connecting and relationships. When she finally gazes into a pond and leaves the forest, she recognizes that she has transformed into a young woman and a leader. Upon returning from her journey, the community sees that she possesses the wisdom to guide them toward safety.
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General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
A Dance Through the Seasons is a Canadian Indigenous story written in simple language and features beautiful watercolour illustrations. It introduces readers to Indigenous culture and practices, as well as the relationship between Indigenous people and the environment. Students can learn valuable lessons throughout the four seasons through various traditional means.
This book effectively conveys a powerful message that, like the young woman, we all have lessons to learn—from nature, the changing seasons, and our Elders, when we recognize and trust in our guides. The story leads you through one girl’s journey and the seasonal rounds of the Dakelh (Carrier) people of British Columbia.
As students explore the illustrations, they can find the hidden turtles. The author provides guiding questions for further discussion.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Science
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Indigenous Languages and Cultures
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Habitat and Communities
- Life Systems
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Indigenous Languages and Cultures
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Diversity of Living Things
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Indigenous Languages and Cultures
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Dene Kede: The Land
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Indigenous Languages and Cultures
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Dene Kede: The Land
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Indigenous Languages and Cultures
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Relationship to the Environment
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Biodiversity
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (1)
- Appreciating the Natural World
Indigenous Knowledge (2)
- Rituals, Spirituality and Worldviews
- TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge
