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Thinking Forward: Discussion Toolkit for K-1

Early Primary

Elementary

Description

This resource is part of a series of toolkits that provide educators with activities, books and learning strategies for reflection and thinking about the Pandemic experience. The focus is on fundamental concepts that will help students move forward with new awareness, resilience, and optimism for the future. While each session connects to students’ experiences, the concepts investigated are also linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, allowing students to see how their learning is practical and to act on it. The sessions can take place in any learning space, including online, outside, in nearby nature.

The toolkit is divided into four themed sessions focusing on key concepts:

Session 1 - Uniqueness and Diversity focuses on creating a safe space and essential agreements for listening and responding with respect and the power of diverse perspectives. Through various books and activities, students will learn to appreciate diversity and discuss how they are unique. They will brainstorm and discuss how they can make all students feel welcome and included at school.

Session 2 - Adaptation and Creativity encourages students to reflect on the many ways things changed rapidly in their world to keep them safe and to continue learning, working and staying connected. Activities include learning about adaptations made during Covid, discussing the purpose of wearing masks and designing masks that promote their culture or share a positive message.

Session 3 – Facts and Feelings lessons explore the concept of trust in the scientific method for evidence-based decisions and actions. Through a series of books and activities, students will learn more about coronavirus myths and facts, discuss the emotions connected to the virus and how it makes them feel. They will also participate in a sit spot activity to use as a coping, relaxation strategy.

Session 4 – Helping Each Other and Connectedness looks at the importance of our human connections, societal systems and the interconnected natural world. Students will go on a neighbourhood walk to recognize how peace looks or feels in their schoolyard or community. They will learn some calming yoga poses and create their own peaceful poses.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This resource complements itself well with the beginning of the school year activities when creating a balanced learning environment based on respect and students' needs. The lesson plans are easy to follow and provide suggestions, reflection questions and extension activities to enhance the learning. The material and activities are age-appropriate, applicable to diverse learners, and connect to any subject discipline or curriculum. The sessions can take place in any learning space, including online, outside, or nearby park. While each session connects to students' experiences, the concepts investigated are also linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, allowing students to see how their learning and actions support change in the world.

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
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Writing: Ideas and information can be articulated accurately and imaginatively through the use of writing processes and an understanding of the author’s craft
      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Developing and affirming identity contributes to well-being and understandings of self and one another
        • Exploring connections strengthens our understandings of relationships to help us make meaning of the world
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Developing and affirming identity contributes to well-being and understandings of self and one another
        • Exploring connections strengthens our understandings of relationships to help us make meaning of the world
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Citizenship: Understanding local, national, and global issues empowers individual and collective action toward an inclusive society
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Stories and traditions about ourselves and our families reflect who we are and where we are from
        • Our communities are diverse and made of individuals who have a lot in commo
        • Identity and Families
        • Identity and Families
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Local Communities: Healthy communities recognize and respect the diversity of individuals and care for the local environmen
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interaction
      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
        • Explore Your World: Well-Being
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
        • Explore Your World: Well-Being
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
        • Explore Your World: Well-Being
    • Grade 1
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Listening and Speaking
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Social Studies 1: Age Appropriate Action
        • Social Studies 1: Diverse Cultural Groups
        • Social Studies 1: Needs and Wants
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Growth and Development
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Connecting and Belonging: Citizenship
        • Connecting and Belonging: Global Connections
        • Connecting and Belonging:: Identity
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
  • Saskatchewan
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Our communities are diverse and made of individuals who have a lot in commo
        • Identity and Families
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Local Communities: Healthy communities recognize and respect the diversity of individuals and care for the local environmen

Themes Addressed

Citizenship (1)

  • Community-Building and Participation

Human Health & Environment (1)

  • Health Promotion

Human Rights (1)

  • Cultural Diversity

Waste Management (1)

  • Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

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