Mathematical concepts & indigenous culture
Incorporating beading into mathematics offers an engaging and interactive learning experience for everyone. For younger children, we can start by using strings and colourful beads to teach basic addition and subtraction. Children can visually grasp these fundamental concepts.
As children age, we can introduce more complex projects, such as crafting bracelets, belts, or necklaces using a loom and exploring mathematical concepts by working with patterns, colours, and designs. They can learn how to create repeated rows and columns, which introduces the idea of sequencing and helps them recognize patterns.
These activities provide opportunities to discuss measurement. Children can calculate the total number of beads needed for their project, fostering skills in estimation and computation. They can also explore geometry by understanding shapes and symmetry as they design their patterns. Working with a loom enables discussions about area and perimeter as students measure the dimensions of their projects and apply these concepts to real-world scenarios. Beading integrates creativity with mathematical understanding, making learning both enjoyable and effective.
Gratitude Map
This Thanksgiving lesson plan marked the first collaboration between my partner Lexi and me. This was the first lesson plan I made at Thompson Rivers University. With the intention of creating an engaging and meaningful learning experience, we focused on celebrating the spirit of gratitude and togetherness that defines the holiday season. Our approach involved interactive activities, including group discussions about what gratitude means and hands-on projects like crafting gratitude maps. We envisioned a festive atmosphere that not only highlights the importance of giving thanks but also fosters a sense of community among participants. Together, Lexi and I worked diligently to ensure the lesson plan resonated with the diverse backgrounds of our students, making this Thanksgiving celebration not just an event, but a memorable experience that would instill values of appreciation and connection.