Below is a lesson plan I wrote from EDTL 3100. The lesson is entirely Indigenously inspired and centred around fractions for the grade 3 mathematics curriculum.
The lesson uses the Coast Salish seasonal rounds chart to create a culturally responsive understanding of fractions By exploring the cyclical nature of the seasons and their connection to traditional food harvesting, students learn to conceptualize fractions in a meaningful, land-based context. For example, students represent portions of seasonal activities—such as fishing, foraging, and hunting—as fractional parts of the year.
This approach aims to teach mathematical concepts in a way that honours and centres Indigenous ways of knowing and being. In my education experience, mathematics has certainly proven to be the largest hurdle in Indigenizing teaching content. I believe I made a great attempt at it here, however, If I were to rework this concept I would opt to use a Secwepemc seasonal rounds chart rather than Coast Salish.
Additionally – and this is mostly due to the limitations of this assignment – there would be more robust teaching in other curricular areas on what, exactly, this seasonal round chart represents. Also linked below is a unit plan on biomes for grade 4 that focuses on Secwepemcul’ecw territory and traditional land use. This would ideally be adapted to create a cross-curricular learning opportunity that highlights Indigenous pedagogy in a more holistic way.
EDTL-Indigenous-Lesson-Plan-1.docx