First Peoples Principles of Learning is the First Peoples Pedagogy for student success.
Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the
community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational
(focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of
place).
Learning involves recognizing the consequences of one’s actions.
Learning involves generational roles and responsibilities.
Learning recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge.
Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.
Learning involves patience and time.
Learning requires exploration of one’s identity.
Learning involves recognizing that some knowledge is sacred and only
shared with permission and/or in certain situations.
While teaching grade 6/7 math I incorporated the First Peoples Principle of Learning- Learning takes patience and time into my math unit. Learning takes patience and time means that learning cannot be rushed. Learning is an individualistic process that cannot be rushed or arrived at according to a pre-determined schedule. Before I started my practicum, as I wrote my math unit, the “plan” was to review fractions, then move on to fractions and decimals, and finally to wrap up my unit, move onto decimals, fractions, and percent. While teaching math, I realized that the students need more time on fractions, they were not confident in their ability to use fractions. My math practicum ended up being practicing fractions during the duration I was there, but that was okay because that is what the students needed. While teaching fractions I incorporated a variety of approaches. I used manipulatives, related fractions to real life, used group work, number talks and provided a constant visual in the classroom. Students self-assessed themselves for their report cards, and I am pleased to say that quite a few students wrote that they were most proud of their work in math. They wrote that they were confused at first, but they now felt more confident using fractions. While saying their goodbyes there were students who even said that doing math and fractions with me was one of their favourite things that we did together. I am happy that I took the extra time for them and even more ecstatic that the students enjoyed math and feel more confident in their abilities.
A few links to start with or refer to:
First Peoples Principles of Learning – Poster – from FNESC
http://www.fnesc.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/PUB-LFP-POSTER-Principles-of-Learning-First-Peoples-poster-11×17.pdf
First Peoples Principles of Learning – Blog – by Jo Chrona from FNESC
https://firstpeoplesprinciplesoflearning.wordpress.com/
Learning First Peoples Classroom Resources – from FNESC
http://www.fnesc.ca/learningfirstpeoples/
