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A Salmon for Simon

Elementary

Description

Young Simon is thrilled with his new fishing rod but joy soon turns to sadness when he is unable to catch a fish.  He returns to clam digging on the beach when one day he is startled by an eagle dropping a large fish into his clam hole.  Finally, Simon has captured the salmon he wished for!  However, as he gazes down at the beautiful fish he is unexpectedly compelled to return it to the sea.  Tired but content, Simon walks home certain that he will fish again but that the salmon will remain forever free.  This delightful First Nations story with rich illustrations poignantly illustrates the deep connection between humans and our natural world that provides us with so much.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This traditional story could be used to engage students in a discussion about the interactions between Simon's family and their environment.  Students could identify natural features in the book and compare them with similar features in their own community.  A First Nations community member could then lead the class in an outside exploration of a natural ecosystem and the students could create a visual piece that describes their exploration with pictures and words.  The book would also make a great introduction to a classroom action project focused on salmon conservation.  Students could learn about the salmon life cycle and aquatic adaptations.  Then, with the assistance of a local fishery organization, the class could raise and release young salmon into a local river.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
        • Science 1:Observable patterns and cycles occur in the local sky and landscape
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity- Other Cultures (Connections and Influences)
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity- Specific Aboriginal Culture
        • Language Use in Context: In the Community
        • Language Use in Context: Outside the Community
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Specific Aboriginal Culture
        • Language Competence: Listening, Observing and Responding
        • Language Use in Context: Home
        • Language Use in Context: Outside the Community
        • Language Use in Context: Within the Community
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Specific Aboriginal Culture
        • Language Use in Context: Home
        • Language Use in Context: Outside the Community
        • Language Use in Context: Within the Community
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Specific Aboriginal Culture
        • Language Use in Context: Home
        • Language Use in Context: Outside of the Community
        • Language Use in Context: Within the Community
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Needs of Living Things
  • Nunavut
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs & Characteristics of Living Things
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

Indigenous Knowledge (2)

  • Rituals, Spirituality and Worldviews
  • TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Land Use & Natural Resources (1)

  • Fisheries