Subject Area Social Studies

Grade Level Grade 7

Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days

Social Studies 7- Chapter 1

Unit Overview:
This unit is designed to teach students the importance of culture in Canada and the effects of First Nations people and their societies.
Students will spend time discovering the diverse cultures of Canada’s First Nations, specifically the Mi’kmaq, Haudenosaunee, and
Anishinabe. They will learn the skills involved in interpreting primary and secondary source images. They will use these skills as they
examine the importance of cross-cultural understanding.

Contextual Information:
With the Social Studies Program of Studies in mind, the following unit has been designed for a Social Grade 7 class that has classes
three times a week (M, W, Th.), 70 minutes each in length, and 55 minutes on Thursdays. Although, this will be the first unit for these
students, it is important to spend the first-class creating relationship with students and reflecting on home schooling and how they
passed during the covid-19 quarantine period. With that, students may start this class on the second class of the first week to make
sure they are more prepared.

Unit Rationale:
This unit is created with the end goal of enhancing and promoting culture and diversity by teaching students the importance of culture
and the history of First Nations people in Canada. Students will learn the different ways in which First Nations societies were
structured (ex: Confederacy, Ojibwa, Mi’ kmaq). The unit begins with learning about the three different societies and how they
functioned, told through stories. Students will learn through a variety of ways in this class and I hope to make the unit as engaging as
possible. From formative assessment to summative assessment, students will learn about the three societies before moving onto the
next chapter.

Prior Knowledge
With this being the first unit that students will explore in grade 7 social studies, students will take prior knowledge they have learned
in grade 6 social studies to recall information for future learning.
 Subject Area Social Studies
Grade Level Grade 7
Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days

Lesson Overview:
Dates Learner Outcomes Description Resources Assessment
Strategies
#1: Sept 2nd, 7.1.1 - appreciate the influence of diverse Introduction:  Our Observation
2020 Aboriginal, French and British peoples on We will go through classroom and Canada Class
events leading to Confederation (C, I, school expectations, along with Textbook, Discussion (F)
TCC) introductions to get to know  Worksheet
7.1.2 appreciate the challenges of co- everyone. #1
existence among peoples (C, CC, I, LPP)  Pencil,
7.S.1 - develop skills of critical thinking We will define as a class what we Pen
and creative thinking: think history is and have a class  Notebook
• re-evaluate personal opinions to broaden
discussion of its importance.
understanding of a topic or an issue
I will ask students what they know
about First Nations culture and how
their history has influenced their
lives today.
#2: Sept 3rd, 7.1.1 - appreciate the influence of diverse We will compare Canada and the  Our Comparing
2020 Aboriginal, French and British peoples on USA and find the similarities and Canada First Nation
events leading to Confederation (C, I, differences, and the importance of Textbook Societies (S)
TCC) this.  Worksheet
7.1.2 appreciate the challenges of co-  Pencil,
existence among peoples (C, CC, I, LPP) We will overview chapter 1 in out Pen
textbook as a class and I will also  Notebook
explain that First Nations culture is
focused on this chapter by three
groups that interacted with the
Europeans.
 Subject Area Social Studies
Grade Level Grade 7
Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days

Activity - Students will be given a

worksheet to use throughout the
chapter and we may have time to
start filling it out. We will also look
at a map of Canada for the three
societies and learn to annunciate
them.
#3: Sept 7th, 7.1.1 - appreciate the influence of diverse Oral Traditions  Our Whole Class
2020 Aboriginal, French and British peoples on The lesson will begin by the teacher Canada Discussion (F)
events leading to Confederation (C, I, reading “The Ant and the Textbook Exit Slip (F)
TCC) Grasshopper”. I will tie into to how  Worksheet Vocabulary (F)
7.1.2 appreciate the challenges of co- it reflects values (ex. Hard work)  Pencil, Comparing
existence among peoples (C, CC, I, LPP) and how the First Nations culture is Pen First Nation
rich in stories about those values.  Notebook Societies (S)
7.S.2 - develop skills of historical
 The Ant
thinking:  I will have a brief overview
• analyze historical issues to form or and
talking about stories passed Grasshopp
support an opinion
from one generation to er (story)
• create a simulation or a model, using
technology that permits the making of another. These are
inferences important because they
represent beliefs of some of
the Indigenous peoples.

The rest of the class students be

used for independent or partner
work with the textbook
Exit Slip: Recall what oral history
is and the importance of its use.
#4: Sept 9th, Entrance Slip: What were the  Our Entrance Slip
th
10 , 2020 7.1.2 appreciate the challenges of co- vocabulary words we wrote down Canada (F)
 Subject Area Social Studies
Grade Level Grade 7
Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days

existence among peoples (C, CC, I, LPP) from last class? Textbook,
 Worksheet
7.1.3 - compare and contrast diverse social Students will watch a short video s
and economic structures within the about the Mi’kmaq and we will  Pencil,
societies of Aboriginal, French and British have a class discussion about this Pen
peoples in pre-Confederation Canada afterwords.  Notebook
 Video
7.S.1 - develop skills of critical thinking We will dive deeper into the
and creative thinking: Anishinabe society and read stories
• re-evaluate personal opinions to broaden
about them, followed by
understanding of a topic or an issue
• generate creative ideas and strategies in
vocabulary.
individual and group activities
#5: Sept 14th, 7.1.2 appreciate the challenges of co- Class will be started with the other  Our Whole Class
2020 existence among peoples (C, CC, I, LPP) half of the movie about the Canada Discussion (F)
7.1.3 - compare and contrast diverse social Haudenosaunee peoples. Textbook
and economic structures within the
 Worksheet
societies of Aboriginal, French and British Students will continue to work on  Pencil,
peoples in pre-Confederation Canada
the comparing societies handout Pen
7.S.3 - develop skills of geographic specifically with the  Notebook
thinking: Haudenosaunee while reading  Video
• construct and interpret maps to broaden stories about them.
understanding of issues, places and
peoples of Canada (i.e., elevation, latitude Vocabulary will be a focus again
and longitude, population density, and be written down.
waterways)
#6: Sept 16th, 7.1.2 appreciate the challenges of co- The comparing First Nations  Our WorkSheet (F)
2020 existence among peoples (C, CC, I, LPP) societies will be completed today Canada
and gone over as a class and be Textbook
7.S.2 - develop skills of historical recorded on the board by teacher  Worksheet
thinking: and students.  Pencil,
• analyze historical issues to form or
 Subject Area Social Studies
Grade Level Grade 7
Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days

support an opinion Pen

• create a simulation or a model, using
technology that permits the making of
inferences
7.S.6 - develop age-appropriate behaviour
for social involvement as responsible
citizens contributing to their community:
• support and participate in activities and
projects that promote the well-being and
meet the particular needs of their
community
Students will be able to partner up  Notebook
and work together in finishing up
the last worksheet. On top of that,
they also have the remainder of the
class to look through the textbook
and review what we have done
already, or read ahead if they would
like.

#7 Sept 17th, 7.S.1 - develop skills of critical thinking Students will ensure and complete  Our Vocabulary
2020 and creative thinking: all the vocabulary from the chapter, Canada Worksheet (F)
• re-evaluate personal opinions to broaden if this is not done it must be Textbook Native Write
understanding of a topic or an issue completed. and Picture (F)
 Vocabular
• generate creative ideas and strategies in
individual and group activities y
Students will have review for the  Pencil,
7.S.2 - develop skills of historical test and we will discuss and go over Pen
thinking: as a class what we have learned  Notebook
• analyze historical issues to form or throughout the unit.
support an opinion
• create a simulation or a model, using Students can take notes and study
technology that permits the making of on their own if they wish
inferences

7.S.6 - develop age-appropriate behaviour

for social involvement as responsible
citizens contributing to their community:
• support and participate in activities and
projects that promote the well-being and
 Stage 1: Desired Results
General Outcomes (in full):
Subject Area Social Studies

7.1 (Towards Confederation) - Students will demonstrate an understanding and
Grade Level appreciation
Grade 7 of the distinct roles
Unit Plan & of,
Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
and the relationships among, the Aboriginal, French and British peoples in forging the foundations of
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Canadian Confederation. Length of Unit (days) 9 days

Understandings: Essential Questions:

meet the after
Big picture/ideas needsyou
of their
have community
unpacked the outcomes These address more specifically how you will achieve the big
7.S.8 - demonstrate skills of oral, written picture/ideas
 Students will understand
and visual literacy: •the impact
listen that the
to others in different
order
peoples hadtoleading
understand
up totheir perspectives
Confederation and the land  Who are the diverse First Nations peoples who have
they •lived
offeron,
reasoned
as wellcomments
as influencerelated
they had
to a on one contributed to the building of the country we now
topic
another of discussion
(Mi’kmaq, Anishinabe, Haudenosaunee) call Canada?
#9 Sept 21st,Develop
7.1.3creative,
- compare and contrast
historical, diverse social
and geographic Final Exam
dimensions  How can we address whatPen or Pencil
culture means in thisEnd of unit
2020 waysand economic
of thinking structures
within within the
the unit world? assessment (S)
societies of Aboriginal, French
 Communicate in a variety of ways through their and British
peoples inofpre-Confederation
understanding the unit Canada

Specific Outcomes (in full): Prior understandings…

Students will be able to…
Values and Attitudes
7.1.1 - appreciate the influence of diverse Aboriginal, French
and British peoples on events leading to Confederation (C, I,
TCC)
7.1.2 appreciate the challenges of co-existence among
peoples (C, CC, I, LPP)
Knowledge and Understanding
7.1.3 - compare and contrast diverse social and economic
structures within the societies of Aboriginal, French and
British peoples in pre-Confederation Canada
Dimension of Thinking
7.S.1 - develop skills of critical thinking and creative
thinking:
• re-evaluate personal opinions to broaden understanding of a
topic or an issue
• generate creative ideas and strategies in individual and
group activities
 Students will need to tap into their prior knowledge they
learned in grade 6 social studies to begin grade 7 Social
 What culture is and how diverse each culture is from one
another
Where does this lead? (Future outcomes in the same course,
following grade-level classes, etc.)
 In this unit, we will be exploring outcomes from
toward confederation (7.1), and in the future, this is
very important to understand as future studies will be
based around following confederation (7.2)
 Exploring 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 7.1.3 relate strongly to
7.1.4 and 7.1.5 as they expand upon what is learned
in previous outcomes and explore a deeper
understanding of them
 Grade 7 social leads students into understanding
 Subject Area Social Studies
Grade Level Grade 7
Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days
 Subject Area Social Studies
Grade Level Grade 7
Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days

Native Write and Class Discussion Unit Exam

Comparing First The Ant and the Entrance/Exit
Title Vocabulary Picture and
Learning Nations Societies Grasshopper Slips
Participation
Outcome
s
Type (Formative/Summative) S F S
F/S F F/S S

Weighting 15% 25% N/A 20% N/A 15% 25%

7.1.1 - appreciate the influence

of diverse Aboriginal, French
and British peoples on events * *
leading to Confederation (C, I, *
TCC)

7.1.2 - appreciate the challenges

of co-existence among peoples *
*
(C, CC, I, LPP)
7.1.3 - compare and contrast
diverse social and economic
structures within the societies of
* *
Aboriginal, French and British * * *
peoples in pre-Confederation
Canada
7.S.1 - develop skills of critical
thinking and creative thinking:
• re-evaluate personal opinions *
to broaden understanding of a
topic or an issue
 Subject Area Social Studies
Grade Level Grade 7
Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days

• generate creative ideas and

strategies in individual and
group activities

7.S.2 - develop skills of

historical thinking:
• analyze historical issues to
form or support an opinion
*
• create a simulation or a model,
using technology that permits
the making of inferences
7.S.3 - develop skills of
geographic thinking:
• construct and interpret maps to
broaden understanding of issues, *
places and peoples of Canada
(i.e., elevation, latitude and
longitude, population density,
waterways)
7.S.6 - develop age-appropriate
behaviour for social
involvement as responsible
citizens contributing to their
community:
*
• support and participate in
activities and projects that
promote the well-being and
 Subject Area Social Studies
Grade Level Grade 7
Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days

meet the particular needs of their

community

7.S.8 - demonstrate skills of

oral, written and visual literacy:
• listen to others in order to
understand their perspectives * * *

• offer reasoned comments

related to a topic of discussion
 Subject Area Social Studies
Grade Level Grade 7
Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days

Assessment Tool Brief Description

Vocabulary in social studies in an essential part of learning and understanding each and every part of the unit.
Students will be given terms to define from the textbook to write down and learn. They can copy directly from the
textbook, or put the definition in their own terms that makes more sense to them.
Vocabulary
Assessment for/of learning: Giving students the opportunity to explore vocabulary throughout the unit on their
own and understand it in their own terms will allow for deeper learning. It gives them the chance to explore their
knowledge on their own, rather than learning through the teacher.
Students will read a short story and find the meaning of the message that they got from it. We will discuss as a
class how it ties into the First Nations society and the importance of hard work.
The Ant and the
Grasshopper Assessment for learning: Letting students find the meaning of the message on their own gives them autonomy
and also gives me a good indication of their reading comprehension skills that may be needed going forward in
the chapter, as there is a lot of stories to read.
Having students compare these societies will help them to understand how they differ from one another and how
they are similar. The roles and traditions of each society are important to help understand the way their societies
functioned and the roles that were played. The land and geography that these societies lived on is a huge part of
Comparing First what we will study as well and this will be compared and contrasted.
Nations Societies
Assessment of learning: Having students regurgitate information that they have studied already will help us to
see where the students level of understanding and learning is and will be a good guide for future lessons and
assignments.
Native Write and This is a relaxed activity to wrap up the chapter and give students the chance to show their knowledge in a
Picture creative way without pressure
Assessment for learning: Students will regurgitate information through the picture and writing the explanation
about why they chose to draw it. This will inform me of what they have learned throughout the chapter and what
 Subject Area Social Studies
Grade Level Grade 7
Unit Plan & Assessment Plan- Danielle Fritzke
Topic Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations
Length of Unit (days) 9 days

stuck with them.

In most classes, students and the teacher will participate in open class discussions to learn as a group and gain a
Class Discussion deeper understanding of the content from each other.
and Participation Assessment for/of Learning: Hearing the students discuss the chapter will give a good indication of where their
learning and understanding is.
Having these slips will let the students know what is going to be taught, or assess what they have learned in the
Entrance/Exit class, or questions they have.
Slip
Assessment for/of learning: This is another good indication of student knowledge and learning.

Unit Exam Assessment of learning: This will assess the students full understanding of the chapter and what they learned.