Residential Schools, Colonization & Reconciliation

by Alexa Brisbin

During my practicum at Gordon Head Middle School, Grade 7 students revisited the topic of residential schools and were introduced to the term ‘colonization.’ Students applied their existing and new knowledge about residential schools to better grasp the concept of colonization and reconciliation.

Colonization

By Alexa Brisbin

We read the picture book, The Rabbits, to introduce the term 'colonization.' During the reading of the book each student described their transformed thinking as we discussed what colonization means.

Transformed Thinking – Student Sample #1

By Alexa Brisbin

Pictured here is a sample of a transformed thinking response during our reading of The Rabbits, by John Marsden and Shaun Tan.

Transformed Thinking – Student Sample #2

By Alexa Brisbin

Another student's reflection on colonization during the reading of The Rabbits.

Early Questions

By Alexa Brisbin

Some questions our students composed to ask a local Elder near the beginning of our unit:

RBCM Visit

By Alexa Brisbin

We visited the RBCM near the end of our unit where Chris O’Connor hosted us in the First Peoples Exhibit. The students sketched and responded to the exhibit’s narrative in personal journals. They also examined and sketched artifacts/stories that reflected colonization. The file includes images of their entries.

Questioning Further…

By Alexa Brisbin

Questions our students composed for Nella Nelson (ANED District Coordinator) near the end of our unit:

Language Revitalization

By Alexa Brisbin

Two Grade 7 students discussing language revitalization after exploring the Our Living Languages exhibit at the RBCM. Students predict what they believe is happening to the percentage of people who fluently speak First Nations languages in BC and strategies for language revitalization.