Georgia Merk

For my fifth and final TQS reflection I decided to focus on TQS #5: Applying
Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Prior to the strike the other
intern Hannah and I chose to do our PD project for our university cohort on integrating FNMI
knowledge into the classroom. We missed the opportunity to give this presentation but during
our research I discovered the multitude of quality resources available for teachers to access to
achieve this teaching quality standard. I was disappointed we missed this presentation and
wanted to still find a way to meet this TQS goal in one of my classes. I do not teach social
studies but I have learnt in my education courses that there are many other ways to integrate
FNMI knowledge into subjects such as what I teach. (LA, Drama, Religion, PE, and Health)
In my PE class with grade 6 students I integrated a game day full of Indigenous games.
Another teacher lent me homemade “scream sticks” and we engaged in “scream and run” in
this lesson. This was a very engaging and fun game that the students really enjoyed. We also
played line tag and stealing rocks.
During this lesson I made sure to teach the students about the history behind each game
and the purpose and origin of the values and intentions of the creations of these games. While I
was researching and planning for this lesson I once again came across many quality resources
online offering valuable material and history for teachers to use in their own classrooms. I would
like to keep working towards incorporation of FNMI knowledge into my lessons and subject
areas and I was happy I had the opportunity to create a space in this practicum to do so.