Appropriate Instructional Approaches and Techniques

Build Aboriginal culture into curriculum

• Use poetry and other arts activities such as storytelling, dance, song and drama as a means of instruction.
• Include learning activities and projects that incorporate Native tradition, symbols, ways of life, history, etc.
• Involve members of the Aboriginal community in the learning as guest speakers, to give demonstrations, to give ideas for learning.

Approach instruction of Aboriginal learners in a manner generally preferred within the culture

• Allow learners to privately rehearse a skill before demonstrating competency publicly.
• Avoid spot-lighting learners (i.e., singling out individuals for praise, criticism or responses).
• De-emphasize competition and emphasize cooperative and collaborative learning.
• Assist learners to use prior knowledge and experiences to help absorb new material.
• Use more global, holistic instructional approaches that emphasize the development of self-esteem, confidence and empowerment.
• Build life skills into the learning.
• Use warmer, more personal teaching styles and establish relationships with learners.
• Actively demand, while remaining personally warm.
• Be sensitive to non-verbal cues signalling the need for assistance or the desire to discuss an issue with the instructor.
• Accept silences and allow longer pauses after asking questions.

Facilitate rather than direct learning

• Share classroom control and responsibility.
• Allow learners to have as much control as possible over their own learning.
• Avoid doing all the talking – listen as well as talk.
• Use small group work and discussion rather than lecturing.

Use experiential learning techniques

• Use hands-on, active learning such as field trips, demonstrations.

Use specific instructional techniques to develop literacy skills

• Emphasize a writing process approach rather than a grammar-based sub-skills method to instruction.
• Use a whole language, integrated approach that emphasizes the words and experiences of the students.

Saskatchewan level 2 learning how to learn. (2001). Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Literacy Network. Used with permission. Contact the Network at www.sk.literacy.ca or 1-888-511-2111.

Handout 3.12