Naomi Akkermans

Teaching Seminar
FNMI Resource

This lesson fits into the social curriculum very well it helps students learn about just one
of Albertas people and a bit about their history by directly telling their story. This lesson plan
was designed with elementary level language arts and social studies in mind. The lesson is
designed around the story Hidden Buffalo by Rudy Wiebe. The lesson encourages students to
analyze the relationship between the Cree people and the buffalo. The book emphasis the oral
traditions of Cree people which can be used to make connections with the many other Indigenous
groups that use an oral way of passing traditions. The lesson is very useful as reading a book can
peak students interest and allow them to feel a part of the tradition. Books offer emotions and a
setting that students can connect with. Having a real character with a name and a problem allows
students to critically think about how they themselves would act in that situation and gives
realism to a new or foreign concept. The book also introduces some key words and concepts that
are required for the social studies curriculum. This book is a great resource to create different
lessons too but the lesson plan provided is very effective as well. It can be a part of a unit plan as
there are lessons that come before and follow up lessons, too.

Lesson Plan:
Hidden Buffalo
Grade 4 Social Studies/Language Arts
30 minutes
Designed by: Carly Sefcik

General Learning Outcome (GLO):

Students will analyze how Albertans interact with their environment. Students will appreciate
how an understanding of Albertas history, peoples and stories contributes to their own sense of
belonging and identity.

Specific Learning Outcome (SLO):

In what ways do the physical geography and natural resources of a region determine the
establishment of communities?How are natural resources used by Albertans (i.e.,agriculture, oil
and natural gas, forests coal)?Students will recognize the presence and influence of diverse
Aboriginal peoples as inherent to Albertas culture and identity.

FNMI Objective:
Students will reflect on the importance of the buffalo to early First Nations people in the Plains
Region. Students will look at history from the Native perspective.

Materials for Teacher:

Wiebe, R. and Lonechild, M. (2003). Hidden Buffalo.Fitzhenry & Whiteside: Red Deer,
Alberta. http://education.alberta.ca/media/659383/creekto3gi.pdf See page 7 for information on
the Cree oral tradition.

Procedure:
Introduction- As a precursor to this lesson, the teacher should read and analyze Beverly
Brodskys Buffalo (lesson plan provided on FNMI website). This will give students some of
the history surrounding the relationship between First Nations people and the buffalo and how
that was affected by European settlement. As an introduction, have students brainstorm what
they learned about the history of the buffalo from Brodskys book, Buffalo.Tell students that
today they will be listening to a story based on a Cree legend. Review the meaning of legend if
necessary.Tell students about the importance of stories in the First Nations tradition (see website
resource, above)

Body - Have students form a group in the storytelling corner or place in the classroom
where all students can sit and listen and see the pictures of the story. Ask students to think about
when they think this story took place. Read the story to the children, pointing out details like
prairie rose petals and explaining how these details tell us where the story takes place.

Closure- Ask students when they think the story takes place. How do you
know? How do you think the Cree people felt when they couldnt find the buffalo anymore?
Explain the word nomadic and have students add it to their Social Glossary.

Assessment: Can students answer questions properly?