Canada's Natives
Introduction
The novel I've chosen for this unit is "The Birchbark House." This book is from a much later time period than that discussed in the history, but it is beautifully written and gives a wonderfully detailed depiction of traditional Ojibwa life in the islands of Lake Superior.
"The Story of Canada" is not currently available through Chapters.ca or Amazon.com, but neither is it out of print. If your library doesn't have a copy, your local independent bookdealer should be able to order it directly from the publisher.
*And one important note about my main history text - "Canadian History for Dummies" is not written for children. The author, Will Ferguson, has very specific opinions on assorted aspects of Canadian History which may not match up with your own, and he can be both sarcastic and cynical. Personally, I find him highly entertaining, which is why this book is the backbone of our schedule, but other people may find him offensive. Just a warning!
Beginnings, Stories of Canada's Past, edited by Ann Walsh
The Birchbark House, by Louise Erdrich
Canadian History for Dummies, by Will Ferguson
First Folks and Vile Voyageurs, by Claire Mackay
Great Canadian Animal Stories, edited by Muriel Whitaker
The Spirit of Canada, edited by Barbara Hehner
The Story of Canada, by Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore
Tikta'Liktak, by James Houston
First Folks and Vile Voyageurs, p. 1-6, "The Opening Bit" and "Crabby Chronology I"
Great Canadian Animal Stories, p. 9-20, "How the Human People Got the First Fire"
Day 2.
*Before reading The Birchbark House, warn the child that a baby named Neewo and a woman named Ten Snows die of smallpox
Story of Canada, p. 10-14, intro, "First Peoples" and "Centuries of Change"
First Folks and Vile Voyageurs, p. 8-17, "First Folks"
The Birchbark House, p. 1-18, "The Girl From Spirit Island" and "The Birchbark House"
Day 3.
Canadian History for Dummies, p. 10-13, "First Nations"
The Birchbark House, p. 19-32, "Old Tallow"
Day 4.
Story of Canada, p. 14-18, "Chiefs and Heroes"
First Folks and Vile Voyageurs, p. 18-21, "The Legend of Dekanahwideh"
The Birchbark House, p. 33-50, "The Return"
Day 5.
Canadian History for Dummies, p. 14-19, "People of the Longhouse" *Refer back to the Iroquois chief, Dekanahwideh, that we read about last night.
The Birchbark House, p. 51-61, "Andeg"
Day 6.
Spirit of Canada, p. 2-4, "How Two Feather Was Saved From Loneliness"
The Birchbark House, p. 61-70, "Deydey's Ghost Story"
Day 7.
Canadian History for Dummies, p. 19-22, "People of the North Woods"
The Birchbark House, p. 73-81, "Fishtail's Pipe"
Day 8.
Spirit of Canada, p. 248-249 and p. 267, "Sweet Maiden...," "Kahshe...," and, "Canadian Indian Place Names"
The Birchbark House, p. 82-98, "Pinch"
Day 9.
Canadian History for Dummies, p. 22-25, "People of the Plains"
The Birchbark House, p. 99-106, "The Move"
Day 10.
Beginnings: Stories of Canada's Past, p. 14-28 and 205-206, "Gift of the Old Wives" and "Historical Note"
The Birchbark House, p. 107-117, "First Snow"
Day 11.
Spirit of Canada, p. 7-8, "How the Thunder Made Horses"
The Birchbark House, p. 121-134, "The Blue Ferns"
Day 12.
Canadian History for Dummies, p. 25-28, "People of the Pacific Northwest"
The Birchbark House, p. 134-139, "Grandma's Story"
Day 13.
Spirit of Canada, p. 9-11, "Scannah and the Beautiful Woman"
The Birchbark House, p. 140-161, "The Visitor"
Day 14.
Canadian History for Dummies, p. 29, "People of the Plateau"
The Birchbark House, p. 162-171, "Hunger"
Day 15
Spirit of Canada, p. 5-6, "Manabozho and the Maple Trees"
The Birchbark House, p. 172-186, "Hunger: Nanabozho and Muskrat Make an Earth"
Day 16.
*early today, give the child her reader, Tikta'Liktak
Great Canadian Animal Stories, p. 31-54, "The One-Horned Mountain Goat"
The Birchbark House, p. 189-215, "Maple Sugar Time"
Day 17.
Story of Canada, p. 19-21, "A Northern Passage"
The Birchbark House, p. 216-220, "One Horn's Protection"
Day 18.
Canadian History for Dummies, p. 30-32, "People of the Far North"
The Birchbark House, p. 221-239, "Full Circle"
Day 19.
Spirit of Canada, p. 102-103 and p. 171, "I Shall Wait and Wait" and "The Giant Bear"
First Folks and Vile Voyageurs, p. 22-30, "First folks" (finish)
Day 20.
Great Canadian Animal Stories, p. 67-76, "On the Roof of the World"
The Spirit of Canada, p. 266, "And My Heart Soars"