Student Booklet Download
personal_and_cultural_identity_assignments.docx |
Overview/Rationale
A key element of the organization of BC’s new curriculum are core competencies. These are fundamental skills that enable personal and academic growth and connect to all content areas of the curriculum.
By undertaking a cross curricular inquiry project, students will make connections between different areas of the curriculum providing a broader understanding of overarching themes that exist across subject areas.
The inquiry tasks described here focus on developing a positive personal and cultural identity by having students reflect on their family and cultural background, self-image and values. They require students to access skills and knowledge from several subject areas. Providing student voice and choice is an important consideration. Students should be given a choice in how to present the findings of their inquiry and should be encouraged to use a variety of media to show learning.
By undertaking a cross curricular inquiry project, students will make connections between different areas of the curriculum providing a broader understanding of overarching themes that exist across subject areas.
The inquiry tasks described here focus on developing a positive personal and cultural identity by having students reflect on their family and cultural background, self-image and values. They require students to access skills and knowledge from several subject areas. Providing student voice and choice is an important consideration. Students should be given a choice in how to present the findings of their inquiry and should be encouraged to use a variety of media to show learning.
Culture and Family Inquiry Tasks
Learning Goals
- I can describe my family and community.
- I am able to identify the different groups that I belong to.
- I understand that my identity is made up of many interconnected aspects (such as life experiences, family history, heritage, peer groups).
- I understand that learning is continuous and my concept of self and identity will continue to evolve
Culture KWL
KWL stands for Know, Want to Know, Learned. For this assignment you will be researching your cultural background by using the internet, books or asking family members. To begin, think about what you already know about your cultural background. Next, think about what you are unsure or curious about and list things that you want to know. After completing some research or interviewing family members, make a list of the new things that you learned for the learned section.
Must Haves:
-Create sections for Know, Want to Know and Learned
-Include titles for each section
-List five facts in each section using full sentences.
Assignment Suggestions: Create a poster, create a slideshow, write an essay, create an iMovie documentary
Must Haves:
-Create sections for Know, Want to Know and Learned
-Include titles for each section
-List five facts in each section using full sentences.
Assignment Suggestions: Create a poster, create a slideshow, write an essay, create an iMovie documentary
Family Tree
How much do you know about your family history? For this assignment you will need to learn about your ancestors to make a detailed family tree. The best way to research your family tree is to speak with parents, grandparents and other family members. Search on the internet for examples of different styles of family tree. You can be creative with how you present your information (it doesn't have to look like a tree). At a minimum, include the names of family members, where they live and their relation to you; however, you are encouraged to provide even more information where possible such as birthplace, age, profession and interesting facts.
Must Haves:
-List as many family members as you are able to (parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins etc.).
-For each family member include their name, relation to you and where they live.
-Add any other interesting details about family members that you learn during your research.
Assignment Suggestions: Use a poster to create a traditional family tree diagram, make a slideshow, make a iMovie documentary about your family.
Must Haves:
-List as many family members as you are able to (parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins etc.).
-For each family member include their name, relation to you and where they live.
-Add any other interesting details about family members that you learn during your research.
Assignment Suggestions: Use a poster to create a traditional family tree diagram, make a slideshow, make a iMovie documentary about your family.
My Traditions
Everybody celebrates their own unique traditions. Some traditions may be part of your culture, others may be unique to your family or friends. Think about the traditions that are part of your life and explain where they came from and why they are important to you.
Must Haves:
-Describe three different traditions that are part of your life.
-Use images or illustrations.
Assignment Suggestions: Create an iMovie documentary, write an essay, use a series of photos with captions, create illustrations with short written explanations.
Must Haves:
-Describe three different traditions that are part of your life.
-Use images or illustrations.
Assignment Suggestions: Create an iMovie documentary, write an essay, use a series of photos with captions, create illustrations with short written explanations.
Self Image Inquiry Tasks
Learning Goals
- I can identify my individual characteristics.
- I can describe/express my attributes, characteristics, and skills.
- I can reflect on my strengths and identify my potential as a leader in my community.
- I understand I will continue to develop new abilities and strengths to help me meet new challenges.
My Act
It's very typical for people to act differently depending on who they are with. Think about your behaviour, mannerisms and way of speaking. Does it change depending on who is around? For example to you act the same way hanging out with friends as you do visiting grandparents? For this assignment you will be creating at least three examples that show how you act with different groups of people for example: in the principal's office, with friends, with younger siblings, with parents or grandparents, in class, in front of older kids, at a formal occasion, at a party etc.
Must Haves:
-Create at least three examples of how you act with different groups.
Assignment Suggestions: Write a story, create and record short skits, create short comic strips.
Must Haves:
-Create at least three examples of how you act with different groups.
Assignment Suggestions: Write a story, create and record short skits, create short comic strips.
Family/Friend Interview
How well do you know yourself? Sometimes it’s interesting to find out how we are seen by others close to us, especially family members who may remember details about your life that you have forgotten. For this assignment prepare a list of 10 questions about yourself to ask a family member. For example: “what was I like as a baby?” or “tell a funny story from when I was young.” When you choose a family member to interview, use video, audio or writing to record their answers.
Must Haves:
-Ask a family member at least 10 questions about yourself.
-Record or write down their answers.
-Present your findings.
Assignment Suggestions: Create a video interview or summarize your interview to create a written assignment.
Must Haves:
-Ask a family member at least 10 questions about yourself.
-Record or write down their answers.
-Present your findings.
Assignment Suggestions: Create a video interview or summarize your interview to create a written assignment.
Autobiography for the Future
How do you see yourself in twenty years? For this assignment you will be imagining what your life will be like in the future. The year is 2036 and you are an important and notable person. Your admirers want to know about your early life and your path to success. Create a autobiography that details the important events in this imaginary life.
Must Haves: Be creative and explain what your life will be life in 20 years.
Assignment Suggestions: Use biographical style writing, use an interview format, create a trailer for a movie about your life, make a newspaper article.
Must Haves: Be creative and explain what your life will be life in 20 years.
Assignment Suggestions: Use biographical style writing, use an interview format, create a trailer for a movie about your life, make a newspaper article.
Personal Values Inquiry Tasks
Learning Goals
- I can tell what is important to me.
- I can explain what my values are and how they affect choices I make.
- I can tell how some important aspects of my life have influenced my values.
- I understand how my values shape my choices.
Personal Code of Conduct
A code of conduct is the list of rules that you set for yourself. Think about behaviours and habits that help you to stay healthy and safe and help you to have good relationships with family and friends. Use these ideas to create at least 5 rules that make up your personal code of conduct. Think about why these rules are important to you.
Must Haves:
-List at least 5 rules.
-Explain why you follow each rule.
-Include your name and a title.
Assignment Suggestions: Create a poster, make a slideshow, record a video blog.
Must Haves:
-List at least 5 rules.
-Explain why you follow each rule.
-Include your name and a title.
Assignment Suggestions: Create a poster, make a slideshow, record a video blog.
My Evolution
All people change over time. Your interests, values, likes, dislikes, friends and hobbies have probably changed a lot as you've grown and matured. For this assignment you will think about what you were like at different ages of your life. Choose at least three ages and write a profile about yourself.
Must Haves:
-Write about yourself at three or more different ages.
-Describe your likes, dislikes, fears, friends, interests and other details.
-Include an illustration or photo for each age
Assignment Suggestions: Create a poster, create a Venn diagram, create a slideshow, write a compare and contrast essay
Must Haves:
-Write about yourself at three or more different ages.
-Describe your likes, dislikes, fears, friends, interests and other details.
-Include an illustration or photo for each age
Assignment Suggestions: Create a poster, create a Venn diagram, create a slideshow, write a compare and contrast essay
Superhero You
For this assignment you will be creating a superhero based on yourself. Think about your real life strengths, weaknesses and interests and how these might be part of your superhero identity. Describe your superhero name, your special powers, your arch-enemy/nemesis and your greatest weakness. For example, if you're really good at track maybe super-fast running could be your special power, if you eat too much candy that might be your superhero weakness.
Must Haves:
-Create a superhero based on yourself
-Incorporate real life details about your personality
-Include an illustration
Assignment Suggestions: Create an illustrated diagram, create a comic, create an adventure story.
Must Haves:
-Create a superhero based on yourself
-Incorporate real life details about your personality
-Include an illustration
Assignment Suggestions: Create an illustrated diagram, create a comic, create an adventure story.
Assessment Ideas:
Formative assessment for this assignment might include:
-Students submit progress update reflections
-Conferencing with students to review planning
-Generating “I Can” statements around student inquiry topics
-Self and peer evaluations
-Creating class generated criteria for assignments
Summative assessment for inquiry projects should focus mostly on critical thinking, creative thinking and communication skills. The process is more important here that the product that is reached at the end. The inquiry rubric below is included in the downloadable student booklet and can be used to assess key inquiry skills.
-Students submit progress update reflections
-Conferencing with students to review planning
-Generating “I Can” statements around student inquiry topics
-Self and peer evaluations
-Creating class generated criteria for assignments
Summative assessment for inquiry projects should focus mostly on critical thinking, creative thinking and communication skills. The process is more important here that the product that is reached at the end. The inquiry rubric below is included in the downloadable student booklet and can be used to assess key inquiry skills.