With Ms. Paulich, students have been working on creating their own personalized sweaters influence by the book “Yetsa’s Sweater” Wriiten by Sylvia Olsen. (I cannot find a video of the book)

The summary:

“Yetsa and her mother are going to visit her grandmother. Yetsa is wearing her favourite sweater, a traditional Coast Salish garment. It is a little small, but it is special because her grandmother made it and the symbols knitted into it represent her family.
Yetsa, her mother, and her grandmother work to prepare freshly-sheared wool to make new sweaters. Yetsa has a number of special roles to play in the process. During breaks, she enjoys some of her grandma’s delicious fresh bread and blackberry jam. Once the wool is prepared grandma starts knitting a sweater with “Flowers. Whales and waves. Wooly clouds, and blackberries” (32). On last page Yetsa is pictured hugging herself in her new sweater.
This book features a note on “The Cowichan Sweater” at the end.”

Activity:

Yetsa’s sweaters feature symbols about her family and her experiences. Students created their own sweater patterns with symbols that are important to them.

Big Ideas:

  • Creative expression develops our unique identity and voice (Art).
  • Healthy communities recognize and respect the diversity of individuals (Social Studies).
  • People connect to the hearts and minds of others in a variety of places and times through the arts.

First Peoples Principles of Learning: Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors

Curricular Competencies: Explore personal experience, community, and culture through arts activities

Content:

  • Elements of design – line, shape, texture, colour
  • Personal and collective responsibility associated with creating, experiencing, or sharing in a safe learning environment

Core Competency: Social Awareness and Responsibility

  • I can build relationships and be a thoughtful and supportive friend. I can identify ways my actions and the actions of others affect my community.