Teaching 
& Learning 
Strategies

• Activating Prior Knowledge: Revisiting Important People in Our Lives 

chart 

• Oral Discussion and Documentation of Thinking: Anchor Chart
• Consolidating Thinking to Build New Knowledge: Placemat and Anchor 

Chart 

• Consolidating the Learning Experience: Learning Wall and Character 

Trait Worksheet

Background 
Information 
for Teachers

Before Lesson
• Based on the abilities of your classroom, the activities may need to be 

whole-class, teacher recorded. If your students are able to work in groups 

independently, then you can begin the tasks and ask the groups to finish. 

Bring the whole class back together to continue recording ideas on the 

Anchor Chart.

• You will be creating a “Learning Wall,” which grounds and connects each 

of the lessons. The Black Canadian women Contributor Posters can be 

displayed, and perhaps some of the student work, but the Learning Wall 

will primarily be a “Word Wall.” To consolidate the learning experience, 

the students and you will add to the wall, at the end of each lesson, 

words that were introduced or are important to the lesson.

• Have the Anchor Chart from Lesson 1 posted—you will be referring to 

each section to complete today’s tasks.

• Post Learning Goals and Success Criteria for this lesson.
• Have the Anecdotal Observation Template (BLM #2) ready on a clipboard 

to use while students are working collaboratively. 

Step A:
Assessment
as Learning

Lesson Note: This lesson starts with a review of Lesson 1, “Important 

People in Our Life.” Please review that lesson to get some background on 

and insights into the learning experiences that this lesson will build upon.

ACTIVATING PRIOR KNOWLEDGE;
ORAL DISCUSSION AND DOCUMENTATION OF THINKING

Teacher Talk: During our last class, we brainstormed about some important 

people in our life. We looked at different categories: family, school, community 

or neighbourhood and, finally, Canada. We’re going to look closer at these 

people we listed. Let’s ask ourselves: Why are these people important? How 

do they affect us? 

Placemat: This activity is to be done with small groups of three to four students 

at a table (**see above note). Have the Placemat Template, enlarged onto 

11-x-17-inch paper, ready for the groups.

Black Canadian Curriculum – Primary – ETFO – 2014