This project-based learning assignment was designed to be completed over a period of time that allowed students share who they are through their interests and backgrounds. Students worked with their families to gather and share information about their cultural context(s). The project integrated Language Arts (writing), Social Studies (research on family’s heritage), and Fine Arts (drawing and presentation).

Students worked through a number of different class activities over a period of time designed to help them explore their cultural backgrounds, family and ancestors. They completed family trees, identity bags (real and virtual artifacts), crest designs for a paddle, timelines, and writing assignments focussing on special people and places in their lives.  One of the culminating presentations was the “Identity Recipe” that each student created to represent who he or she is.

Students were asked to create a list of ten things that “Make You - You”. They were asked to think about attributes that a good friend or close family member should know about the student.  In addition, they were asked to see if they could come up with ideas that might not be included on other students’ lists. Students then create their lists of 10 things it was important for others to know about them.

The teacher shared with the class an Okanagan First Nation story called, “How Names Were Given”.  Students were then asked to consider how their names were chosen. The children were encouraged to find out the story behind their name(s) from their parents. The stories behind the students’ names were then compiled into a class book called The Story of Our Names.

Students in an English Language Learner Welcome Centre were encouraged to create a multi-media presentation that shared who they were. This long-term project provided the English language learners with the opportunity to develop and enhance their English language skills as well as express their feelings about the transitions in their lives including their move to Canada, the challenges they encountered here, and what they have been able to accomplish.

Students worked on a project that allowed them to explore many aspects of their lives to determine what makes them unique.
 

They were asked to share information about any combination of the following topics:

This student learned to make duct tape wallets from YouTube videos and has pursued this new interest with considerable tenacity. This is not a school project but rather an at home interest that he has shared with his teacher and classmates.