Courageous Canoe was written as both a leadership tool for adults, and to introduce to students a new character trait in the UCDSB Character Always! Initiative - Courage. While the story is about a group of people who find themselves on a journey without knowing what they are looking for, it really is about the internal journey we must all take to find what makes us passionate, and use that knowledge to make and embrace changes in our life. Of course, how we do that – the journey – requires an understanding that demonstrating positive character is the ultimate key to a successful life.
To print this resource, click on the 'Print this guide' option above the top blue navigation bars.
To print the templates supporting class activities, click on the document links below.
Do you have an activity to share with your colleagues across the board? There are many ways to share:
The TeachAble Project: Aligned with the Ontario K-12 School Effectiveness Framework, the Accessibility Awareness Continuum is a tool designed to stimulate reflection and discussion about how accessible your school is, how accessible your classroom is, and how aware your students are of what a fully accessible world means. It can help you clarify.
Ontario Ministry of Education SpeakUp! Student Voice Project
Ontario Ministry of Education Equity and Inclusive Education in Ontario Schools
Roots of Empathy building caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults.
Discovering our Personality Style through ‘True Colours’ (link – can be downloaded)
The Upper Canada District School Board Family
BEFORE READING THE STORY
Ask the students if they ever did something new that they were initially afraid to do. What was the situation (going to the dentist, meeting a new friend, performing in front of an audience)? How did they feel before they started? How do they feel when something is difficult or scary to do? How did they feel when they were finished?
The characters in the ribbon at the bottom of each page represent different character traits from Character Always! You may wish to point out the traits, or include prompts, as you are reading the story (eg. Page 7 –someone yells, "Stay calm, and grab my hand!" Prompt: Who do you think is saying this? (allow students to make connections (text:self:world) What character trait is this person demonstrating?
CARING is...showing concern and interest in others and yourself
EMPATHY is...the ability to feel with another, show understanding and express it
HONESTY is...speaking and doing what you believe is right, no matter what the consequences
RESPONSIBILITY is...leading the way, helping to accomplish tasks through initiative and hard work
PERSEVERENCE is...having the courage and strength to never give up
FAIRNESS is...being open-minded, taking turns and trusting others
RESPECT is...honouring differences, caring for yourself and others
RESILIENCE is...having a positive attitude and inner strength to bounce back from a tough time
COURAGE tell us what courage means to you @ email@example.com
GENEROSITY tell us what generosity means to you @ firstname.lastname@example.org
While the spirit of a word remains the same, sometimes the language we use to describe it changes over time. The UCDSB is in the process of updating how we describe each of the traits in our Character Always! initiative. Tell us what these traits mean to you. Download the Character Trait template on the far left hand side of this page and give it to your teacher, or send your definitions to email@example.com.
Language Arts (1-8), English (9-12)
Successful language learners:
• understand that language learning is a necessary, life-enhancing, reflective process;
• communicate - that is, read, listen, view, speak, write, and represent - effectively and with confidence;
• make meaningful connections between themselves, what they encounter in texts, and the world around them;
• think critically;
• understand that all texts advance a particular point of view that must be recognized, questioned, assessed, and evaluated;
• appreciate the cultural impact and aesthetic power of texts;
• use language to interact and connect with individuals and communities, for personal growth, and for active participation as world citizens.
Guidance and Career Education (9-12)
also....connect to our UCDSB student leadership curriculum initiatives - Link CREW and WEB (Where Everybody Belongs)
How do you support teamwork and collaboration in your classroom? Share your strategies in the comment box.