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Thinking Forward: Discussion Toolkit for Grades 9-12

Secondary

Description

Thinking Forward, a discussion toolkit for secondary school students is part of a back-to-school toolkit series that provide educators with activities and learning strategies for reflection and thinking about the Pandemic experience. Each session focuses on fundamental concepts that will help students move forward with new awareness, resilience, and optimism for the future. This toolkit focuses on four concepts:

  • Session 1 – The Power of Diversity and Perspective
  • Session 2 - Adaptability and Creativity
  • Session 3 - Science-Based Decision-Making
  • Session 4 – Interdependence and Citizenship

While each session connects to students' experiences, the concepts investigated are also linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, allowing students to see how their learning is practical and to act on it. The sessions can take place in any learning space, including online, outside, in nearby nature.

Through various indoor and outdoor activities, students will:

  • discuss possible perspectives of Damian's Barr drawing- We are all in the same storm with a partner
  • participate in a value line exercise, allowing students to become more conscious of their perspectives and appreciate their classmates' perspectives. The statements are based on online learning during the pandemic 
  • take part in a discussion circle based on accepting diverse ideas and perspectives and how to accept everyone perspectives in the classroom
  • create an essential agreement for the classroom
  • view stories and photos, which highlight a few of our creative adaptations to the constraints of Covid-19. After viewing, make a collaborative mind map of the ideas and actions
  • discuss which innovations from the last year do they value most and need to continue to develop
  • participate in DeBono's six hats activity to explore statements about the pandemic
  • discuss what areas of the school community students could improve if they use this thinking process in their planning and actions
  • during a community walk, discuss which rules are in place to keep the space safe and sustainable for everyone
  • create a thirty-second sound bite sharing the causes and consequences if everyone broke the rules
  • participate in a ball and string activity to understand how we all benefit from the work of many groups and public institutions
  • review the class essential agreement and discuss how students can stay true to the contract and make progress in their actions

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

After a challenging year of pandemic living, the activities in this toolkit help students reflect on the many changes in their lives made to keep them safe and learning. This resource complements itself well with the beginning of the school year activities when creating a balanced learning environment based on respect and students' needs. The sessions can take place in any learning space, including online, outside, in nearby nature. The lesson plans are easy to follow and provide suggestions, extension activities and reflection questions. The material and activities are age-appropriate, applicable to diverse learners, and connect to any subject discipline or curriculum.

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 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.
        • Respect,support and collaborate with others
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore thoughts, ideas,feelings and experiences
        • Respect, support and collaborate with others
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English 20: Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences
        • English 20: Respect, support and collaborate with others
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences
        • Respect, support and collaborate with others
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 10: Language shapes ideas and influences others
        • Composition 10: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Spoken Language 10: People understand text differently depending on their world views and perspectives
        • Spoken Language 10: Voice is powerful and evocative.
        • Spoken language 10: Language shapes ideas and influences others
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 11 : Questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens.
        • Composition 11: Language shapes ideas and influences others.
        • Composition 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Spoken Language 11: Language shapes ideas and influences others.
        • Spoken language 11: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 12: Language shapes ideas and influences others
        • Creative Writing 12::Creative writers are observant of the world
        • Spoken language 12: Language shapes ideas and influences others.
        • Spoken language 12: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Enhance the clarity and artistry of communication
        • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English 1201: Speaking & Listening
        • Literacy 1204: Communicate Effectively
        • Literacy 1204: Inquiry and Critical Thinking
      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Healthy Living 1200: Life Choices and an Active Lifestyle
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Social Studies 1201: Individual Rights and the Common Good
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English Language Arts 2201/2202: Speaking & Listening
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English Language Arts 3201: Speaking & Listening
        • English Language Arts 3202: Speaking & Listening
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and build community within the home, school, workplace and wider society
        • Plan and focus an inquiry or research and interpret and analyze information and ideas, through a process
      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Mental and Emotional Well-Being
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Create oral, print, visual and multimedia
        • Respect, support and collaborate with others
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
        • Comprehend and Respond
      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Mental and Emotional Well-Being
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • The Growth of Canada: Current Events
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences
        • Respect, support and collaborate with others
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences
        • Respect, support and collaborate with others
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Respect, support and collaborate with others
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 10: Language shapes ideas and influences others
        • Composition 10: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Spoken Language 10: Language shapes ideas and influences others
        • Spoken Language 10: People understand text differently depending on their world views and perspectives
        • Spoken Language 10: Voice is powerful and evocative.
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 11 : Questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens.
        • Composition 11: Language shapes ideas and influences others.
        • Composition 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Spoken Language 11: Language shapes ideas and influences others.
        • Spoken language 11: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 12: Language shapes ideas and influences others
        • Creative Writing 12::Creative writers are observant of the world
        • Spoken language 12: Language shapes ideas and influences others.
        • Spoken language 12: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.

Themes Addressed

Citizenship (1)

  • Community-Building and Participation

Human Health & Environment (1)

  • Health Promotion

Human Rights (1)

  • Cultural Diversity

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