Recognition and reflection

Today I taught Anne's reading and writing classes as she is in Iqaluit for PI (aka PD). Every junior high teacher teaches a reading group daily, and a writing group three times a week. I’ve encountered the same teaching struggle for myself as in the South – I am a teacher not a teller (In Anne’s words). It is easier in the South for students to whip out their smart phone and Google the answers to their questions whereas up here the teacher is “Google” so to say. Students are much happier to fill out a worksheet that you have provided answers for rather than gather the information from a provided reading. Anne's reading class has been using the "Reading A to Z" program which was very helpful to me as there are activities geared towards students with lower reading levels. My experience thus far has showed me I really don't know how to teach reading in English which is crucial in communities such as Pond Inlet where they complete most of elementary school in Inuktitut. *Potential PI for my future self and a suggestion for other teachers considering teaching in the North). 

While browsing through resources in the Resource Room I was advised by Dave and Pat to look for a set of white binders published by the Canadian Legion - written by the one and only Nick Newberry. Low and behold I found the set published 10 years ago. Looking through the documents there were great civic studies worksheets and suggestions for junior high teachers. 

Foreword written by Nick Newberry

I love the sentence at the bottom, "Young Nunavummiut need to know who they are, where they come from and their place in the world." I feel this is true of all people and should be fostered in all schools.  I am still in the first week of my Northern placement, but I find myself reflecting on who I am, where I come from, and my place in the world. 

We finished off our night with an Inuktitut lesson from Dave and Pat and a magnificent sunset.

Pond Inlet sunset, Mar 12 7:00 PM