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Thirteen Moons

Elementary

Description

This resource is a guide to begin exploring the 13 Moons as a way of tracking and understanding our environment and the passage of time. It is intended to initiate conversations around the importance of honouring Indigenous knowledge in classrooms, encouraging students to ask questions that inspire new learning and seek understanding of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit history, culture, and knowledge. These activities focus on Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) to help educators and students incorporate Indigenous and Western knowledge into learning.

This resource is an ongoing inquiry that lends itself to rich conversations about the natural world and the changes that occur in every season. Investigations can be revisited each month as the full moon approaches, and students record the changes they notice in their outdoor space (e.g. playground, local conservation, backyards, nearby greenspace, etc.). If a classroom does not have access to green space, educators can bring in evidence from the local environment or share their discoveries and observations. 

Students will:

  • be introduced to the 13 Moons and the significance of the turtle for many Indigenous communities throughout Turtle Island
  • form a new understanding of Indigenous knowledge
  • begin to see a correlation between the Western calendar, the passage of time, and the cycles of the moon
  • notice and record changes in their local environment as they occur throughout the year, and
  • ask questions about the natural world 

The resource provides a long-range plan and suggested activities for the four seasons, such as guiding questions, videos, books, and templates.

* The 13 Moons are connected to specific regions and the First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities in that location, it is important to connect with an Elder in your area who can speak to the 13 Moons and their significance. Many school boards throughout Canada have dedicated Indigenous education leads, consultants and/or community partners who are available to support classroom educators.

 

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

These activities focus on Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) to help educators and students incorporate Indigenous and Western knowledge into learning. By helping students sharpen their ability to notice and name changes in their environment, teachers can encourage students to cultivate an understanding of and connection to nature and build a sense of how Indigenous and Western understandings can work together. (Two-Eyed Seeing)                            

The suggested time frame for this resource is September to June, but teachers can begin the activities during any season. This adaptability to different seasons allows for a comprehensive exploration of nature throughout the year. As a four-season inquiry, this resource can serve as a channel for other questions and explorations throughout the school year. 

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.

Themes Addressed

Indigenous Knowledge (2)

  • Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing
  • TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge

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