Bella's School a curriculum guide for Grade 1 teachers of Cree/Oji-Cree as a second language kit

Summary: Bella's School: A Curriculum Guide for Grade 1 Teachers of Cree / Oji-Cree as a Second Language is a teaching package developed by the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre in Ontario to meet the needs of students along the James Bay coast. The kit consists of a Curriculum Guide and an 80-minute video available in either Cree or Oji-Cree. The developers follow the Ontario Ministry of Education Native Language Curriculum Guideline. The 10 units are organized according to themes such as family, community, nature, communication, time and recreation. The materials were developed for Grade 1 teachers of Cree as a Second Language and Cree as a First Language students. Each unit has clearly outlined expectations, content and vocabulary, suggested teaching strategies and assessment. Simple black and white illustrations suitable for reproduction are provided. The video consists of 10 7-minute programs set in familiar everyday environments. The programs will appeal to young children learning Cree or Oji-Cree. The Cree actors use the language throughout each program and present opportunities for oral review and repetition as new vocabulary is introduced.