National Aboriginal Day, looking ahead to the 2017-2018 school year, Geometric Art, another Element of Design example, final call for Homework!

What a super, beautiful day for National Aboriginal Day and the first day of Summer.

I was searching for a list of films from the Planet in Focus film festival -- where our film was selected -- which examined the morning statement we hear every day.

The 5 founding nations on what we know, currently, as Toronto

Unfortunately, the 2017 film selections are not up, so I have found this to provide some visual context for understanding the significance of the statement:

A copy of the maps and area in question can be also seen here:  http://oldtorontomaps.blogspot.ca/2013/01/1787-1805-toronto-purchase.html

Google maps and Google Earth launched a new feature that acknowledges Indigenous land:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/indigenous-communities-map-1.4169515

But it is not only about things from the past; the past informs the present.  Today, the CBC has launched a great project profiling community builders in Ontario.

http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/iamindigenous/

I will close this part of the entry with a reminder, as you walk today or the future.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/new-street-signs-put-toronto-s-indigenous-history-front-and-centre-1.3771548

This Fall, in our community, is this great opportunity for raising Historical/ Geographic awareness:
https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/recreating-first-nations-portage-route-through-toronto
Specific information on this year's event is here:  http://www.davenportage.ca/home.html

By the way, I will be a teacher of History and Geography next year in my new role, at this wonderful school, as the Geography and History teacher.

public pledge:  

I do not feel I have done the best job with honouring some of the commitments made in the Truth and Reconciliation document.  So, I will model the idea of "YET" by making a commitment to exploring, in the 2017-2018 school year, to including more Indigenous perspectives and other marginalized perspectives to my school program.

Geometric Art:

The ability to demonstrate a translation, reflection, and rotation was the key part of the assignment.

There were a few misunderstandings among some students, so I walked through another example.

The personified Art is due tomorrow.  Here is another example, along with some commentary from the subject of the Art:

homework: all outstanding work is due tomorrow!