Polaris Montessori Learning Commons
Hadih!
Hello Students! I hope you are staying healthy and safe! I miss you all and can't wait to see you back at school or in our online lessons.
We are now finished our lesson series on the medicine wheel. Thank you for joining us! You can still see our lessons below.
Mussicho!
Thank you,
Mrs. Wahl
Check out the Dakelh Language videos at the bottom of the page!
Word of the Week:
Natoosjih
Meaning: I breathe
Language: Dakelh
Week 1: Metis
Hadih!
For the week of April 13-17 in our lessons we discussed the Metis people, their inventions, language, bartering, and their flag.
The word of the week was: OYHOY
which means YIKES! in Michef.
Follow up activities:
Lower Elementary (Div 3, 4, and 5)
Draw the Metis Flag!
Upper Elementary (Div 8)
Make Bannock and eat it with real Maple Syrup!
You will need paper, a pencil, and something to color blue (marker, crayon, pencil crayon, paint)
I folded my paper in half so that I could see a center line when I opened it back up
The infinity sign on the Metis Flag kind of looks like a number 8 so I drew the outside lines
Draw the inside lines of the 8, try to keep the same distance away from the outside line
Don't forget to color inside of the symbol as well
Week 2: Medicine Wheel Introduction
Hadih!
For the week of April 27- May 1 in our lessons we introduced the Medicine Wheel and how it helps us to achieve and maintain balance in our lives. The medicine wheel teaches us that we need health and balance in the four quadrants of our lives: Spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical.
The phrase of the week was: Ndaint'oh?
Soo nust'oh.
which means How are you? I am fine. in Dakelh
Follow up activity:
For this week I want you to take one minute first thing when you get up and go outside (on a balcony, deck, through your window, etc.) and spend a minute of silence deep breathing and being mindful.
Week 3: Medicine Wheel: Mental Health
Hadih!
For the week of May 4-8th in our lessons we went further into depth on the Medicine Wheel. We looked at the white quadrant which is the part that deals with Mental Health. This section has to do with our brains and our learning. It allows us to think and imagine. The white color of this part of the wheel symbolizes clarity since the goal is to have a clear mind.
The phrase of the week was: Musi! or: Mussicho!
which means Thank you! or: Thank you very much! in Dakelh
Follow up activity:
This week you are challenged to stretch your brain! You can choose the left side of the brain (analytical), the right side of the brain (creative), or both.
Left side of the brain:
Research and Learn! You need to research and learn one really cool thing that you didn't know before and share it with us at the next lesson.
Right side of the brain:
Create! You need to make something! A craft or a drawing- but it should be something that you haven't done before and share it.
Blank Medicine Wheel Tool
Please print the Blank Medicine Wheel Tool as we will use this in the coming weeks. For this week please fill in the White/Mind quadrant.
In this section please show these 3 things:
1. Learning
2. Your Thoughts
3. Brain food
To download this blank medicine wheel as a PDF please click on the PDF icon below.
Week 4: Medicine Wheel: Spiritual Health
Hadih!
For the week of May 12-15th in our lessons we went further into depth on the Medicine Wheel. We looked at the yellow quadrant which is the part that deals with Spiritual Health. This section has to do with our connection to land, place and community as well as our core beliefs. It teaches us that we need to honor and respect all living things as take care of them. That includes ourselves too! We learned that Tobacco is an important plant to First Nations people as it has spiritual meaning and is used in ceremonies.
The phrase of the week was: Dek'a
which means tobacco in Dakelh
Follow up activity:
Connect with Nature!
Go out into Nature and find a quiet spot where you cannot hear any cars or other people. Try to sit still there for 2 minutes!
Start running and then drawing!
Blank Medicine Wheel Tool
Using the wheel you started to fill in last week, please fill in the Yellow/Spirit quadrant.
In this section please show these 3 things:
1. Land
2. Place
3. Community
To download this blank medicine wheel as a PDF please click on the PDF icon below.
Week 5: Medicine Wheel: Emotional Health
Hadih!
For the week of May 18-22nd in our lessons we went further into depth on the Medicine Wheel. We looked at the red quadrant which is the part that deals with Emotional Health. The medicine wheel teaches us that there are four steps towards emotional health and well being.
Step one: Recognize your emotions.
Step two: Accept your emotions.
Step three: Understand your emotions.
Step four: Express your emotions.
It is important to work through the steps to step four, expressing your emotions, because when you express and release your emotions then you can get to a healthy emotional state. If you keep them bottled up inside then you can get stuck and out of balance.
Sage is an important medicine because it resets and uplifts your mood, cleans the air and relieves tension. It is said to increase positive energy and decrease negative energy.
The phrase of the week was: Hoonus'ti
which means I am happy. in Dakelh
Follow up activity:
At the school we have tools for regulating your emotions, the peace corners, the regulation station, the bikes, etc.
Using your blank medicine wheel template, think of 3 strategies you have for regulating your emotions at home.
Blank Medicine Wheel Tool
Using the wheel you started to fill in last week, please fill in the Red/Emotional quadrant.
In this section please record 3 strategies for regulating your emotions. Also think of at least one support person that you have at home.
To download this blank medicine wheel as a PDF please click on the PDF icon below.
Week 5: Medicine Wheel: Physical Health
Hadih!
For the week of May 25-29th in our lessons we went further into depth on the Medicine Wheel. We looked at the black quadrant which is the part that deals with Physical Health. This quadrant of the wheel is all about behaviors and actions. It is about body in a healthy state physically. In order to have a balanced healthy state you must look after your bodies physical needs. This includes things like drinking enough water, eating nutritious foods, getting enough physical exercise, getting enough sleep, etc.
Sweet grass is used to contact the spirit world and the three strands in the braid of the sweet grass is said to represent the Mind, Body, and Spirit coming together.
The phrase of the week was: Natoosjih
which means I breathe. in Dakelh
Follow up activity:
Get a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
Blank Medicine Wheel Tool
Using the wheel you started to fill in last week, please fill in the Black/Physical quadrant.
In this section please draw the healthy foods that you have consumed that day (fruits, veggies, etc.).
To download this blank medicine wheel as a PDF please click on the PDF icon below.
