Learning goals
We are learning to…
- consider different perspectives as we gather information and use this information to understand
- use effective listening skills by expressing interest, asking a variety of questions, and restating what we heard
- identify explicit and implicit perspectives communicated in a text and provide examples and describe how these perspectives could influence an audience
- sort and sequence ideas and information using a specific text form
Success criteria
I am able to…
- watch two Sunny’s Quest episodes and learn about Lars and Valexia, who tell their story in the episodes
- use effective listening skills while watching two Sunny’s Quest episodes, asking a variety of questions and restating what I have learned from the episodes
- identify each person’s experiences and perspectives in the episodes
- sort ideas and information about Lars and Valexia using mind maps
Meeting new friends
Mehar and Gabby are talking.
Gabby says, “I love learning from different friends about all the things that make them who they are.”
Mehar says, “Me too! When I get to listen to friends share about themselves and their community, I always learn so much and it makes me happy!”
Gabby says, “Do you want to meet some new friends with me?”
Mehar says, “Sure!”
What is the first question you ask a new friend?
Record your answer using a method of your choice.
Action
Let’s meet Lars
Gabby and Mehar are talking.
Gabby says, “Let’s learn a bit about Lars!”
Mehar says, “Sounds great!”
In the following Sunny’s Quest video, Lars shares information about his family, his culture, and his hobbies.
Sora asks, “Did you notice that Lars spoke a different language at the beginning of the video? He said “Makadini Kanjani” which means hello in Shona. Let’s see if Lars shares any other words in Shona with us! I’ll record the words and share them with you along the way!
How old is Lars?
Press Reveal to check your answer.
Lars is 10 years old.
Who is in Lar’s family?
Press Reveal to check your answer.
In his family is his mom, dad, and brother.
Connections
Who is in your family?
Lars shares that in his family, he has a mom, a dad, and a brother.
Not all families are the same. Each family is special and unique!
Think about your own family, who is in it? Share your thoughts with a partner, if possible.
Lars and his family live in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
A map of Canada, labelled with each province and territory. The province of Nova Scotia also has a dot labelled ‘Halifax.’ Halifax is on the coast of Nova Scotia, which faces the Atlantic Ocean. It is in the eastern part of Canada.
His mom is from Zimbabwe and his dad is from the Netherlands.
A map showing the location of the Netherlands, and the location of Zimbabwe. An arrow is leaving Zimbabwe and pointing to the Netherlands.
Zimbabwe is a medium-size country in Africa. It is in the southern part of Africa, and is about in the middle, surrounded by other countries.
The Netherlands is a very small country in Western Europe. It has a lot of coastline on the ocean.
This makes Lars Canadian Zimbabwean Dutch.
Check out this clip where Lars shares one of his hobbies!
There are many languages spoken in Zimbabwe.
What are the names of the two languages that Lars has heard when he’s traveled back to Zimbabwe?
Press Reveal to check your answer.
Lars hears the languages Shona and Ndebele when visiting Zimbabwe.
Gabby shares, ‘Wow, it’s so great to hear Lars’ mom teach him Shona. Did you notice how the word ‘hockey’ in the same in Shona and English?’
Hockey
Lars loves to play hockey. He works hard with his team to get better each day.
What is one of your hobbies?
Share your thoughts with a partner, if possible.
Did You Know?
Did you know?
Lars shares that his hockey hero is Willie O’Ree.
Willie O’Ree was the first Black hockey player to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played 45 games with the NHL and then continued to play professional hockey with different teams for a total of 20 years!
In 2018 Willie O’Ree was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame. This is an honour for hockey players.
The NHL also created the Willie O’Ree award. This is given to players who work hard, support their teammates, and help their own community as well as other communities.
Did you know: Wilie O’Ree
What is something you have worked hard on and feel proud of?
Press Hint for some ideas.
This could be a skill, craft, hobby etc.
Why might it be important to work hard and learn new skills?
Share your thoughts with a partner, if possible.
Sadza
Lars shares different ways that he connects to his Zimbabwean culture. One way is through food!
Check out the following clip where Lars shares his favourite Zimbabwean meal!
Sora says, ‘Lars shares how much he loves sadza. He says Sadza means ‘meal’ in Shona. Let’s add sadza to our list of Shona words!’ Next to Sora is a list titled, ‘Shona words.’ The words listed are:
Makadini Kanjali – hello
Sadza - meal
What were the different ingredients needed to put together sadza?
Match each ingredient used to make sadza to the picture.
What is something you enjoy making or eating with your family or friends?
Share your thoughts with a partner, if possible.
Kalimba
Lars shares different ways that he connects to his Zimbabwean culture. Another way is through music!
The Kalimba is a smaller more recent version of the Mbira.
The Kalimba
The Mbira has been around for 1000 years old!
The Mbira
What do you notice about the Kalimba? Would you like to learn to play it?
Go!
Think about all the great information that Lars shared. What stood out most to you?
Use the following brainstorming Mind Map Activity to record your ideas. You may also use another method of your choice.
Social Emotional Learning
Let’s take a break!
Find a comfortable position and take a deep breath in through your nose.
Slowly start to blow out through your mouth. Pretend you are blowing up a huge balloon. Once your balloon is as big as it can be, let it go! Then take another deep breath in and blow up another balloon!
Listen to the following audio to follow this exercise.
Balloon Breathing Activity
Let’s meet Valexia!
Gabby and Mehar are talking.
Gabby says, ‘Wow, I really enjoyed meeting Lars. Are you ready to meet another new friend?’
Mehar says, ‘You bet!’
In the following Sunny’s Quest video, Valexia shares information about her family and where she is from.
How old is Valexia?
Press Reveal to check your answer.
Valexia is 8 years old.
Who is in Valexia’s family?
Press Reveal to check your answer.
Valexia lives in Montreal with her mom. Her dad lives in the United States.
Valexia’s mom is French-Canadian, and her dad is Cuban.
This makes Valexia French-Canadian Afro-Cuban.
A map of North America, with the countries Canada and Cuba labelled. The province Quebec is highlighted with a different colour. It has a Canadian flag on it. The city Montreal is labelled. There is an arrow pointing from Montreal down to Cuba. Cuba is a large island country in the Caribbean. Cuba is labelled and also has a Cuban flag on it.
Cuba
What does Valexia enjoy doing when she visits Cuba?
Press Reveal to check your answer.
She loves to:
- spend time with her grandparents
- go to the beach
Cuba is the biggest island in the Caribbean Sea. Do you know of any other islands in the world?
What do you notice about the Cuban flag?
Press Reveal to check your answer.
It has three colours: white, blue, and red. It has stripes, a triangle, and a star.
Ropa vieja
Check out the following clip where Valexia shares her favourite Cuban meal!
We learned from Lars that his favourite dish is traditional sadza.
What is Valexia’s favourite dish?
Press Reveal to check your answer.
Valexia loves ropa vieja.
Sora says, ‘Valexia tells us that ropa vieja means ‘old clothes.’ Maybe that’s because when the beef is cooked down, it’s shredded and looks like the fibers of old clothes! Valexia also shares other Spanish words with us. Let’s record these new words in our personal dictionaries!’ Next to Sora is a list titled, ‘Dictionary.’ It has the words:
Abuela – grandmother
Buen provecho – enjoy your meal
Dance and celebrate
During the celebration of the end of Hispanic heritage month, Valexia wears a traditional Cuban dress. What do you notice about the colours and style of Valexia’s dress?
Valexia’s dress is an off-the-shoulder long white dress, with a wide red stripe, red and blue ribbons, and white lace edges, inspired by Spanish flamenco dresses, African trends, and the colours of the Cuban flag. She is also wearing bright red flowers in her hair.
Everyone gathers at a church and takes part in a collective (all together) prayer.
Many religions and cultures give offerings. What kind of offering does Valexia bring?
Press Reveal to check your answer.
She brings flowers.
Go!
What did you learn about Valexia?
Use the following brainstorming Mind Map Activity to record your ideas. You may also use another method of your choice.
Let’s reflect!
Why might it be important to learn about each other, our backgrounds, and our communities?
If you could ask Lars a question, what would you ask him?
If you could ask Valexia a question, what would you ask her?
Record your thoughts and share with a partner, if possible.
Vocabulary review
Let’s review the new words we learned today!
Match each Shona and Spanish word to its English meaning.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.