Alexis Hopkins
Grade 7 Novel Study and Opinion Writing
In this unit, students will take part in a novel study on the story of ‘Fatty Legs’ by Christy
Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. This story will give the students a chance to
ask questions and consider history in a thoughtful and critical light. The class will engage
in different forms of dialogue, discussion and brainstorming to develop an understanding
and opinion on various themes presented in the novel. We will take time to develop literary
skills through guided journal writing and short answer questions. Students will participate
in the BC Blanket Exercise provided through the BCTF.
Rationale
Canadian society is actively engaged with Truth and Reconciliation. This novel gives a
window into the true story of a girl who experiences residential school without getting into
scary details of abuse. The book has a relevant context and will allow students to engage
with the truth of the history of Canada and develop critical thought and opinion regarding a
number of themes in the novel.
Core Competencies:
Communication: “Acquire, interpret and present information.
Thinking: “Developing ideas” “Analyze and critique”
Personal & Social: “Cultural contexts”
U Big ideas/Concepts Essential Questions
n
d “Questioning what we hear, read, and view -Why is ‘Alice In Wonderland’
e contributes to our ability to be educated and important?
r engaged citizens.” -How can I make my writing more
s “Exploring stories and other texts helps us powerful?
t understand ourselves and make connections -How can I convince my reader?
a to others and to the world.” -How can I strengthen my opinions?
n -What makes a good Intro/conclusion?
d -What are the similarities and differences
between first nations and colonial
people?
-Does this story have relevance to First
Nations in BC?
-How does this history affect me or
people I know?
-Why is it important to read stories like
this?
-What is the power of story?
-How can reflecting on stories make me
a better writer?
-What are my values?
-What would you do if you were
Olemaun?
D Curricular Competencies (Skills)
o
-”Think critically, creatively, and reflectively to explore ideas within, between, and
beyond texts
-Recognize and identify the role of personal, social, and cultural contexts, values, and
perspectives in texts
-Recognize how language constructs personal, social, and cultural identity
-Understand how literary elements, techniques, and devices enhance and shape
meaning
-Use an increasing repertoire of conventions of Canadian spelling, grammar, and
punctuation
-Transform ideas and information to create original texts.”
K Content (Learning Standards)
n
o Literary devices, argument, metacognitive, writing processes, paragraphing,language
w varieties,syntax and sentence fluency, conventions and presentation techniques.
A Formative Summative
s
s -In class journal reflections -Student choice book report
e -Venn diagrams -Formal written opinion
s -T-charts (What? So what?) essay
s -Discussion -Comprehension quiz
m -Questions (open and closed)
e -Chapter questions
n -Mind maps
t
P
l
a
n
Learning Intentions Instructional Activities Assessment
Lesson #1 Lesson #1 Lesson #1
Role of School in Society Role of School in Society Role of School in Society
A variety of statements are The students will turn in
made regarding school and their journal reflection
I can consider my own cultural life (getting food for considering their opinion on
opinions regarding school example) students play ‘4 the role of school in their
and culture corners’ and go to the corner culture.
they resonate with.
Pre-reading questions are
discussed as a group and
students engage in dialogue.
Create a title page for ‘Fatty
Legs’
Complete a journal entry
reflecting on the purpose of
school according to you.
Lesson #2: Introduction to Lesson #2: Introduction to Lesson #2: Introduction to
‘Fatty Legs’ ‘Fatty Legs’ ‘Fatty Legs’
Who is Olemaun? Google Earth journey
Where were the residential following the path Olemaun Make a prediction:
schools in Canada? took to go to school.
What is this story about? What is this story about?
Why is this story important? Map of residential school Why is this story important?
How can I support my Map of First Nations
opinions with evidence? territories prior to Back-up your predictions
colonization. with evidence from the
lesson today
Take a look through the
book, looking at the
photographs especially.
Short introduction of
forming an opinion, and
backing it up with evidence.
(instructional theme
throughout.)
Lesson #3: Ch. 1 Reflection Lesson #3: Ch. 1 Reflection Lesson #3: Ch. 1 Reflection
Questions Questions Questions
-How can reflecting on Read ch.1
stories make me a better
writer? Discuss the reflection Short answer questions
questions
Time to answer Q’s
independently
Lesson #4: Alice in Lesson #4: Alice in Lesson #4: Alice in
Wonderland Wonderland Wonderland
Giant brainstorm web on
-Why is Alice in whiteboard Copy class notes
Wonderland important to Journal Reflection
this story? Students copy into
-What are the similarities notebooks
and differences between first
nations and colonial people? What do the different rabbits
symbolize?
What are other symbols
between cultures?
Lesson #5:Thomas Moore Lesson #5:Thomas Moore Lesson #5:Thomas Moore
-What are the similarities Look at picture of Thomas ‘What? So What?’ T-chart
and differences between first Moore in traditional clothes Journal Reflection
nations and colonial people? and european clothes
Discuss what you see
What does it mean?
What are the symbols?
Lesson #6: Gladys’ Food & Lesson #6: Gladys’ Food & Lesson #6: Gladys’ Food &
Culture Exploration Culture Exploration Culture Exploration
Which is better? Why? Students move from station Journal reflection
to station looking at
traditional foods with Which way of eating is
explanations. Reflective better in your opinion?
questions are provided for Traditional or modern?
each group to discuss.
Lesson #7: Ch.2 Questions Lesson #7: Ch.2 Questions Lesson #7: Ch.2 Questions
-How can I support my Read chapter 2
opinions? Short answer questions
Go over questions
-How can reflecting on Answer in full sentences
stories make me a better Discuss and take notes with rationale
writer?
Answer in full sentences
with rationale
Lesson #8: Instant Essays Lesson #8: Instant Essays Lesson #8: Instant Essays
-How can I make my writing We will look at statements
more powerful? and write instant opinion Opinion essay graphic
-How can I convince my essays together as a class. organizer
reader? We will do 2 or 3 together
-How can I strengthen my
opinions? Graphic organizers will be
-What makes a good used for students to frame
Intro/conclusion? their own opinion essay on
any topic.
Lesson #9: Chapter 3 Lesson #9: Chapter 3 Lesson #9: Chapter 3
Reflections Reflections Reflections
-How can I support my Read ch. 3 Short answer questions
opinions?
-How can reflecting on Go over questions as a Answer in full sentences
stories make me a better group with rationale
writer?
Discuss and take notes
Answer in full sentences
with rationale
Lesson #10 Current Events Lesson #10 Current Events Lesson #10 Current Events
-Why is this topic relevant 6 News articles will be
to now? chosen relating to FN Opinion journal reflection
peoples in BC on any topic
Students split into groups to
discuss news articles and
develop an opinion
Group whip-arounds
Lesson #11: Chapter 4 Lesson #11: Chapter 4 Lesson #11: Chapter 4
Reflections Reflections Reflections
-How can I support my Read ch. 4
opinions? Short answer questions
-How can reflecting on Go over questions as a
stories make me a better group
writer? Answer in full sentences
Discuss and take notes with rationale
Answer in full sentences
with rationale
Lesson #12 Power of Lesson #12 Power of Lesson #12 Power of
Propaganda Propaganda Propaganda
-Why is it important to read Watch CBC video christmas Letter to the editor/file a
stories like this? at school complaint outlining your
-What is the power of story? opinion
Group discussion guided by
lesson 6 in ‘Gladys’
Lesson #13: Chapter 5 Lesson #13: Chapter 5 Lesson #13: Chapter 5
Reflections Reflections Reflections
-How can I support my
opinions? Read ch. 5
-How can reflecting on Short answer questions
stories make me a better Go over questions as a
writer? group Answer in full sentences
with rationale
Discuss and take notes
Answer in full sentences
with rationale
Lesson #14: Chapter 6 Lesson #14: Chapter 6 Lesson #14: Chapter 6
Reflections Reflections Reflections
-How can I support my Read ch. 6 Short answer questions
opinions?
-How can reflecting on Go over questions as a Answer in full sentences
stories make me a better group with rationale
writer?
Discuss and take notes
Answer in full sentences
with rationale
Lesson #15: Chapter 7 Lesson #15: Chapter 7 Lesson #15: Chapter 7
Reflections Reflections Reflections
-How can I support my Read ch. 7 Short answer questions
opinions?
-How can reflecting on Go over questions as a Answer in full sentences
stories make me a better group with rationale
writer?ogue
Discuss and take notes
Answer in full sentences
with rationale
Lesson #16 Blanket Exercise Lesson #16 Blanket Exercise Lesson #16 Blanket Exercise
-Does this story have Participate in fully scripted Debrief conversation
relevance to First Nations in exercise including contribution
BC? neighboring grade 7 class.
-How does this history affect Freestyle Journal Reflection
me or people I know?
Lesson #17: Student’s Lesson #17: Student’s Lesson #17: Student’s
Choice Choice Choice
-How can I make my writing Students will generate
more powerful? questions based on the novel
-How can I convince my and the themes we’ve Students choose 2-3 ways to
reader? explored. showcase their learning in
-How can I strengthen my writing or oral presentation
opinions? I will provide a selection of
-What makes a good choices on how they may Students may choose to
Intro/conclusion? showcase their learning. work in groups for some of
-What are the similarities Each option will be worth the options.
and differences between first points. Students may need to
nations and colonial people? choose a couple of options
-Does this story have to gain enough points to
relevance to First Nations in pass.
BC?
-How does this history affect (see 50 alternatives to a
me or people I know? book report article)
-Why is it important to read
stories like this?
-What is the power of story?
-How can reflecting on
stories make me a better
writer?
-What are my values?
-What would you do if you
were Olemaun?
Lesson #18: Final Quiz Lesson #18: Final Quiz Lesson #18: Final Quiz
Students undergo a quiz on
the questions we have Quiz
generated throughout the
unit. The quiz will consist of
comprehension questions, as
well as personal written
response.
Resources:
-[Link]
DF
-[Link]
-[Link]
-’Fatty Legs’ by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
‘Fatty Legs’ teachers guide by Kerry Aiken
