Belonging To Groups

What makes a good classroom citizen?

Synopsis

Many outcomes found under:

General Outcome K.2 "I Belong" may be addressed by inviting students to explore the question "How do I know where I belong?" Introduce the inquiry by considering the characteristics and interests that bring people together in groups. Throughout the inquiry, use vocabulary such as "caring", "belonging", and "friendship", to help students describe their participation in groups.

The activities suggested in the Critical Challenges seek to develop students' understanding of the diversity of groups, the roles of group members and the factors that bring people together. Each activity should build on students' own experiences of group membership.

Critical Challenges

Students might explore this overarching theme by completing these challenges:

What Makes a Group?

By exploring the bonds that constitute a group by looking to identify common characteristics found in descriptions or pictures of groups of people

Group Artifact

By considering ways in which people show they belong to a group by identifying and presenting an artifact representing a group to which each student belongs

Learning about New Groups

By exploring characteristics and interests that bring people together in groups by discussing possible criteria and questions they might ask when choosing which group to join

Belonging in my Class

As a concluding activity, you might invite students to create a booklet representing the most important things about belonging in their class

In Search of French

Teaches students about the presence and importance of the French language in Alberta and Canada

Where Do We Come From?

By exploring their family background to share with the class and telling a story that reveals something of their origins

Help Documents

Embedding Critical Thinking Into Teaching and Learning PDF
This document provides a definition of critical thinking, and discusses how to embed critical thinking into teaching and learning.

Definitions of Terms Used in Overarching Critical Inquiries
This document provides definitions of Overarching Critical Inquiry, Critical Challenge, Modelling the Tools, Support Material, Graphic Organizer, Assessment, and Background Information.

Meeting the Diverse Learning Needs of All Students PDF
This document provides suggestions to help teachers plan for diverse learning needs.

Reference Charts

The following charts provide a quick overview of correlations, references, and summaries for all the Critical Challenges. In the charts, the Critical Challenges are organized according to which Overarching Critical Inquiry they address.

Last updated: July 1, 2014 | (Revision History)
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