Social Studies · Grade 1

Active learning ideas

Indigenous Art and Symbols

Hands-on stations and personal creation invite students to connect symbols to stories and land, making cultural meanings tangible. Movement between activities keeps young learners engaged while building respect for diverse traditions through guided discovery.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• Ontario Curriculum, Social Studies, Grade 1, A2.3: gather and organize information on traditions and celebrations in their family and community from a variety of sources (e.g., stories)
• Ontario Curriculum, Social Studies, Grade 1, A3.2: describe some of the traditions and celebrations of their families and of the communities to which they belong
• Ontario Curriculum, Social Studies, Grade 1, A3.4: identify some of the different groups to which they and their family and friends belong (e.g., First Nations, Métis, or Inuit group)

• 20–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Stations Rotation
• 45 min · Small Groups

Stations Rotation: Art Forms Exploration

Prepare stations with images and replicas: carving (mini totem samples), weaving (yarn patterns), painting (symbol cards). Students rotate in small groups, sketch one item per station, and note colours or shapes used. Conclude with a share-out on similarities.

Analyze the meaning behind common Indigenous art symbols.

Facilitation Tip

During Station Rotation: Art Forms Exploration, place 3D objects (e.g., a small carved figure or woven bracelet) next to 2D images so children can touch and see materials like wood, wool, or birchbark.

What to look for

Provide students with images of common Indigenous symbols (e.g., salmon, raven, circle). Ask them to point to or name the symbol and share one thing they learned about its meaning. Observe student responses for understanding of symbol representation.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Stations Rotation
• 20 min · Pairs

Symbol Matching Game: Pairs

Create cards with symbols on one side and meanings on the other. Pairs match them, then discuss why a symbol like the eagle represents strength. Extend by drawing the pair's favourite match.

Compare different forms of Indigenous art.

Facilitation Tip

For Symbol Matching Game: Pairs, prepare cards with symbol images on one side and their meanings on the back so partners can self-check their matches.

What to look for

Give students a small piece of paper. Ask them to draw one Indigenous art form they learned about and write one word describing it. Then, ask them to design a simple symbol that represents their favorite animal and explain its meaning.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• Stations Rotation
• 30 min · Individual

Design Your Symbol: Individual Creation

Students reflect on something important, like family or nature, then draw a simple symbol using crayons. Share in a circle, explaining choices. Display on a class 'symbol story' wall.

Design a simple symbol that represents something important to you.

Facilitation Tip

When students Design Your Symbol: Individual Creation, provide clipboards and encourage them to describe their symbol aloud before writing to solidify their connection to its meaning.

What to look for

Show students examples of two different Indigenous art forms (e.g., a woven basket and a carved figure). Ask: 'How are these art forms different in what they are made of and how they are made? What do you think each one might be used for?' Facilitate a brief class discussion comparing the visual and functional aspects.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• Stations Rotation
• 25 min · Whole Class

Compare and Contrast: Whole Class Chart

Project images of different art forms. As a class, fill a T-chart with likenesses (e.g., nature themes) and differences (e.g., materials). Vote on favourites and justify.

Analyze the meaning behind common Indigenous art symbols.

What to look for

Provide students with images of common Indigenous symbols (e.g., salmon, raven, circle). Ask them to point to or name the symbol and share one thing they learned about its meaning. Observe student responses for understanding of symbol representation.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Approach this topic as a storyteller: begin with concrete objects and images, then move to symbols and their meanings. Avoid abstract lectures about “culture” and instead let students uncover significance through materials and personal creation. Research shows that young learners grasp complex ideas when they manipulate real objects and create representations tied to their own experiences.

Students will identify symbols across art forms, explain one cultural meaning, and create a personal symbol with a written justification. They will compare differences between nations’ traditions and participate in respectful discussion about living Indigenous cultures.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Symbol Matching Game: Pairs, watch for students who assume one symbol means the same thing across all nations.

  Use pairs of cards showing the same symbol (e.g., bear) paired with different meanings (protection, healing) from two different nations, prompting students to discuss why the meaning changes.

• During Station Rotation: Art Forms Exploration, watch for students who view Indigenous art as purely decorative.

  Place each station’s materials alongside a short story card explaining the symbol’s purpose in ceremony, storytelling, or daily life to connect visuals to cultural roles.

• During Compare and Contrast: Whole Class Chart, watch for students who think Indigenous art belongs only to the past.

  Include images of contemporary pieces alongside historical ones and ask students to note how symbols appear in both, building continuity from past to present.

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Methods used in this brief

• Stations Rotation