English
Eng.First
Peoples
EN: ENGLISH FIRST PEOPLES 12
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The English First Peoples 12 course is a Gr. 12 course that focuses heavily on First Peoples Aspects of Literature. It builds upon and extends the previous learning experiences in ELA courses. The course is grounded in the First Peoples Principles of Learning and dives deeply into the First Peoples’ oral and written literature. It is designed for students to continue to explore, extend, and strengthen their own writing while thinking critically and creatively. In the classroom, students work individually and collaboratively to explore both oral and written literature, as well as creating powerful compositions.
Furthermore, through the study of authentic Indigenous text students will be able to extend their capacity to communicate effectively. They can also deepen their understanding of themselves and key aspects of Canada’s past, present, and future to First Peoples. Moreover, they can expand their understanding of what it means to be educated Canadian and global citizens, especially through knowledge of First Peoples texts and culture.
This course meets the new graduation requirement to have 4 credits in both an Indigenous Focused course, and the English Language Arts 12 requirement for all students graduating in B.C after September 2023. Therefore, most Gr. 11 to 12 students will take this course, especially Gr. 11 students of the Incentive program who can go on to study other literature courses in Gr. 12.
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Truth and Reconciliation is also a focus of this course, with students learning the history of Indigenous oppression and participating in Orange Shirt Day.
CURRICULAR COMPETENCY
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In this course, students will learn to comprehend and connect through listening, reading, and viewing. They will go through analyses of First Peoples' languages and texts and how they reflect their cultures, knowledge, and worldviews, as well as different features reflect a variety of audiences and messages.​
They will also access information from diverse sources and select strategies for inquiry and comprehension, which ties into thinking critically and creatively. Moreover, students will understand and evaluate how literary elements shape meaning and impact, and look for biases and false information.
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They will also learn to create and communicate through writing, speaking, and representing, including respectfully exchanging ideas to facilitate understanding; demonstrating speaking and listening skills; apply appropriate oral communication; express and support opinions with evidence; and respond to text in personal, creative, and critical ways. Students will also work on using writing and design processes to create engaging and meaningful texts, as well as assessing and refining them to improve clarity and impact, and experimenting with different forms and styles of texts.
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CONTENT
Students are expected to know a wide variety of BC, Canadian, and global First Peoples texts, as well as text forms and genres. They will also learn common themes of First Peoples literature, their oral traditions and their legal status. Reconciliation in Canada is also a crucial theme covered in the course to raise awareness of Indigenous segregation and Residential Schools. The puposes of oral texts are also explored, especially the relationship between oral tradition and land/place.
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Protocols related to ownership and use of First Peoples oral texts, acknowledgement of territory, situating oneself in relation to others and place, and processes when engaging with First Nations are also covered as a key part of Indigenous learning.
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On the more literary side, text features and structures will also be studied with a focus on ones found in First Peoples texts, along with Elements of visual/graphic texts.
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Students will also enhance their reading strategies and processes which have been developing in English courses they have been taking. They will develop oral language, metacognitive and presentation techniques as well.
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Students also continue to focus on language features, structures, and conventions, especially the features of oral language. These include aspects such as elements of style, language change, syntax and sentence fluency, rhetorical devices, usage and conventions, literary elements and devices, literal and inferential meaning, persuasive techniques, and citations and acknowledgements.​
Big Ideas:
The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
Oral and other texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed.
Voice is powerful and evocative.
First Peoples texts and stories provide insight into key aspects of Canada’s past, present, and future.
Self-representation through authentic First Peoples text is a means to foster justice.
First Peoples voices and texts play a role within the process of Reconciliation.
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