Lesson Plan: Poetic Analysis
Compare and Contrast Perceptions of Canadian Residential Schools
Objectives: Demonstrate awareness of the intergenerational effects of the residential school system on Aboriginal peoples, and consider how it may have been viewed from the European settlers in comparison to aboriginal/first peoples. Give students the opportunity to construct an opinion of their own and create a poem from that perspective.
Materials:
Activity:
Compare and Contrast Perceptions of Canadian Residential Schools
Objectives: Demonstrate awareness of the intergenerational effects of the residential school system on Aboriginal peoples, and consider how it may have been viewed from the European settlers in comparison to aboriginal/first peoples. Give students the opportunity to construct an opinion of their own and create a poem from that perspective.
Materials:
- Poem "I Lost My Talk" by Rita Joe
- The three videoclips on residential schools in Canada
- Activity instructions
Activity:
- Give historical context/background information on residential schools in Canada
- Read the poem "I Lost My Talk" by Rita Joe
- Consider the implications of her poem by analyzing the content and poetic verse
- Watch the video clips and discuss content, varying perspectives
- Give students the instructions to create their own poem
"I Lost My Talk" by Rita Joe
I lost my talk The talk you took away. When I was a little girl At Shubenacadie school. You snatched it away: I speak like you I think like you I create like you The scrambled ballad, about my word. Two ways I talk Both ways I say, Your way is more powerful. So gently I offer my hand and ask, Let me find my talk So I can teach you about me. |
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