My social studies unit is on Aboriginal content. I am covering treaties, fur trade, residential schools, treaties, Indian Act and concept of colonization. In the beginning I was very nervous to take on such content as I am learning everything myself. This content is not easy to digest for an adult, how was I going to teach this to my students. As I created my road map for social studies I slowly learned to simply and filter details. I did not want to the students to feel guilty for what was happening, however I did want them to make an emotional connection.

This week was part two to the residential school lesson. I had decided to show them the Shi-Shi-Etko video to my class and simply do a reflection journal entry. After the video, two of my students started to cry. I was taken by surprise.

At that moment I realized I had to change the mood of the class. I had to redirect the class. As a class we had to discuss what could the possible positive outcomes of residential schools. I did not want to go in that direction, but, I did not know what else to do. A couple of my students started the conversation that what if an Aboriginal student did not want to become a fisherman or a hunter, instead they wanted to be a blacksmith man. I just grabbed on to that idea and went with it. I glad my student could empathize, however, I could not bare to see them cry. I guess this is all a part of learning.