Noticing and Naming the Learning

What are you going to learn today?

We are learning to…

How do I show what I have learned?

I can…

Minds On

Let’s get ready to learn!

Before we begin our learning, let’s wake up our minds with a warm up. 

Social Emotional Learning

Warm up

A child exhales dramatically like a dragon, with a large dragon behind them breathing fire.

Find a safe space.

Sit down or stand up.

It’s time to breathe like a dragon!

Take a deep breath in and breathe out fast.

Listen to the Dragon Breathing Warm Up audio to follow along.

Dragon Breathing Warm Up

Notice and wonder

Explore the following images.

  • How does the picture make you feel?
  • What does the picture remind you of?

As you work through this learning activity, you can record your ideas in many ways.

Listen to the following audio recording to learn more about how to record your ideas.

How to Record Your Ideas

Action

Making connections

Three scenes show a learner mixing ingredients with a recipe, a learner reading on the floor, and a learner reading on a computer.

Readers make connections with stories in many ways!

As we read a story, think about how you might connect to this story in different ways.

When we make connections, we think about:

  • What reminds me of my own life?
  • What reminds me of another story I know?
  • What reminds me of something in the world?

In the Minds On, you looked at pictures from the Inuit Nunangat. Let’s look at the map to see where it is.

A map of Inuit Nunangat. It includes Nunavut, and parts of the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Labrador in northern Canada

Did You Know?

Did you know?

The Inuit are original people from the Arctic and northern regions of Canada, Alaska, Russia, and Greenland.

Inuktitut is a language spoken by the Inuit.

Now we will read a story that happens in the Inuit Nunangat.

I Am A Rock

Cover of the book I Am a Rock.

Before we get started on the story let’s learn a bit about the author and illustrator in I Am A Rock.

About the author

Photo of Ashley Qilavaq-Savard.

An author is the person who writes the story. Let’s find out more about the author of I Am A Rock.

Ashley Qilavaq-Savard is an Inuk writer, author and new filmmaker. She was born and raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut. She has written books, short stories and teaches acting and storytelling classes!

About the illustrator

Photo of Pelin Turgot.

An illustrator is the person who creates the art or pictures for the story. Let’s find out more about the illustrator of I Am a Rock.

Pelin Turgot is an illustrator born and raised in Turkey. She lives in Bodrum, Turkey and loves illustrating children’s books!

Let’s get started!

As you listen to the story and look at the pictures, think about how the story might remind you of something you’ve seen, heard, or felt before!

A child with dark hair lies under a blanket beside a rock. Text on the page reads, "Anaana, what would it be like if rocks were alive?"

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 2.

Page 2 Audio

What would it sound like if they could talk?” Pauloosie asks his mom. He lies cozy and snug in bed with his pet rock, Miki Rock, by his side.

A woman with dark hair stands beside a bed. Text on the page reads, 'What would it sound like if they could talk?' Pauloosie asks his Anaana. He lies cozy and snug in bed with his pet rock, Miki Rock, by his side."

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 3.

Page 3 Audio

Where are Pauloosie and his Anaana?

Press the Reveal button to check out a possible answer.

I think Pauloosie and his Anaana are in his bedroom because I see a bed and a chair.

Pauloosie calls the other character Anaana. Anaana means mother in Inuktitut.

What language do you speak with your friends and family?

Let’s continue with more pages from the book.

“Well, my son, if rocks were alive and could talk, I imagine they would say something like this…”

Pauloosie lies tucked in bed while his Anaana sits beside him. Text on the page reads, "Well, my son, if rocks were alive and could talk, I imagine they would say something like this…"

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 4.

Page 4 Audio

Pauloosie sits up in bed as his Anaana holds out Miki Rock. Text on the page reads, "Anaana holds Miki Rock and pretends he can talk."

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 5.

Page 5 Audio

Let’s keep going with the story.

An illustration of Miki Rock sitting in a grassy field surrounded by flowers and plants. Text on the page reads, "I am a rock."

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 6.

Page 6 Audio

I do not fly. I do not run. I do not walk. I live on the shoreline, and I get to watch as the water ebbs and flows.

A shoreline scene with grass, flowers, and a body of water stretching across the middle of the page. Miki Rock sits near the right side of the grass. Text in the sky reads, 'I do not fly. I do not run. I do not walk.' Additional text near the bottom reads, 'I live on the shoreline, and I get to watch as the water ebbs and flows.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 7.

Page 7 Audio

Have you ever heard or seen the animals in the following pictures?

I watch harvesting seasons with delight. Seasons of clams, berries, and running char, seasons of caribou, heather, and ducks,

An illustrated scene shows water and land connected across the page. Miki Rock sits near the shoreline. Char swim in the water, and clams rest below the surface near the rock. Near the top of the page, an Arctic fox and hares stand on snowy land. Text at the top of the page reads, 'I watch harvesting seasons with delight. Seasons of clams, berries, and running char.' Additional text on the right reads, 'seasons of caribou, heather, and ducks.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 8.

Page 8 Audio

seasons of snow homes, foxes, and Arctic hare, seasons of turbot, ptarmigan, and seal pups, seasons of snow geese, eggs, and beluga too.

A winter scene shows snow, ice, and water across the page. At the top, Arctic hares sit on snowy ground beside an igloo. Ducks swim in the water nearby. In the foreground, a seal pup lies on the ice and geese fly overhead. Text at the top reads, 'seasons of snow homes, foxes, and Arctic hare.' Text in the middle reads, 'seasons of turbot, ptarmigan, and seal pups.' Text at the bottom reads, 'seasons of snow geese, eggs, and beluga too.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 9.

Page 9 Audio

These are all examples of animals that live in the Inuit Nunangat.

Let’s continue with more pages from the book.

Image 2: Pauloosie lies in bed, rubbing his eyes. Text on the page reads, '"What can the rock hear, Anaana?" Pauloosie asks as he rubs his sleepy eyes.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 11.

Page 11 Audio

How is Pauloosie feeling right now? How do you know?

Press the Reveal button to check out a possible answer.

I think Pauloosie is feeling sleepy because he yawns and rubs his eyes.

How might you listen to people and animals?

I can listen to every sound right here on the ground. Every bird, every wolf, every herd passing by.

An outdoor scene shows grass, flowers, and Miki Rock resting on the ground. A flock of birds flies across the sky above Miki. Two white wolves sit on the grass nearby, and a herd of animals moves across the land in the background. Text near the top of the page reads, 'I can listen to every sound right here on the ground.' Text below reads, 'Every bird, every wolf, every herd passing by.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 12.

Page 12 Audio

Even the little lemmings, I hear them too. From chirps to howls to beating hooves and squeaks, I can hear them all.

A landscape shows grassy hills with rocks, flowers, and plants. Two lemmings are visible on the rocks near the top of the page. Text in the center of the page reads, 'Even the little lemmings, I hear them too.' Text near the bottom reads, 'From chirps to howls to beating hooves and squeaks, I can hear them all.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 13.

Page 13 Audio

Let's continue with the story.

“Anaana, can Miki Rock feel anything?” Pauloosie asks after a big yawn.

Pauloosie lies in bed under a blanket. A polar bear rests near the bed. Text on the page reads, "'Anaana, can Miki Rock feeling anything?' Pauloosie asks after a big yawn."

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 15.

Page 15 Audio

How is Pauloosie feeling at this part of the story? Use clues from the words and share your thoughts with someone else if you can.

Press the Reveal button to check out a possible answer.

I think Pauloosie is tired. In the picture his eyes are closed and he gives a big yawn after asking his Anaana a question.

What do you notice about the seasons in the Artic? How do they change?

How does Miki Rock feel? How do you know?

Yes, I experience spring melt, and the soft snow that blankets me. I feel the joy of the sun’s warm kiss,

A snowy landscape at the top of the page with Miki Rock resting among the snow. Below, the snow melts into grassy land with Miki Rock resting in sunlight near the ground. Text in the upper half of the page reads, 'Yes, I experience spring melt, and the soft snow that blankets me.' Text near the bottom reads, 'I feel the joy of the sun's warm kiss.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 16.

Page 16 Audio

and the cool Arctic breeze brushing by. I feel happy as the land breathes brilliant colours around me.

At the top of the page, Miki Rock rests among snow with plants and ice under a blue sky. Below, the ground is covered in green grass, flowers, and insects, with Miki Rock resting near the plants. Text in the middle of the page reads, 'and the cool Arctic breeze brushing by.' Text near the bottom reads, 'I feel happy as the land breathes brilliant colours around me.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 17.

Page 17 Audio

What do you notice about the seasons in the Arctic? How do they change?

Press the Reveal button to check out some possible answers.

One season has snow.

One season has warm sun.

One season has cool wind.

One season has many colourful plants and bees and butterflies.

How does Miki Rock feel? How do you know?

Press the Reveal button to check out some possible answers.

I think Miki Rock feels happy because he is smiling and laughing in the pictures.

I am excited for the ground to freeze because it means the mountains will be sprinkled with snow, and shining rays of light will make the ice glisten.

A winter scene shows snowcovered mountains surrounding a frozen body of water. Pauloosie and Anaana stand together on the cracked ice near the center of the page. Text in the center of the page reads, 'I am excited for the ground to freeze because it means the mountains will be sprinkled with snow, and shining rays of light will make the ice glisten.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 18.

Page 18 Audio

What do you like to do when you are outside in nature?

Miki Rock feels excited when the ground begins to freeze. What might it feel like to be excited?

I patiently watch as the sun says goodnight, to dance and sing through the northern lights.

Two illustrated scenes are shown. In the top scene, Miki Rock rests on snowy ground as the sun sets in the distance, casting warm light across the sky. Snowcovered land and buildings appear in the background. Text at the top reads, 'I patiently watch as the sun says goodnight,' and text below reads, 'to dance and sing through the northern lights.' In the bottom scene, Miki Rock rests on snowy ground under a dark sky filled with flowing Northern lights.

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 19

Page 19 Audio

Let’s pause and take a break!

Body break!

Let’s take a break and move!

Before you begin:

  • Find a safe space. Move anything you might bump into.
  • How are you feeling? Listen to your body and take breaks.
  • Ask an adult before getting materials or if you need help.

Follow the steps to move your body. You can also follow along with the audio.

Do whatever feels most comfortable for you.

WPA: Please place image on the right side of the numbered text (1-5). Thank you!

A learner sits in a chair with arms stretched out, moving their arms in a circular motion.
  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Raise your arms out and up to your shoulders.
  3. Slowly make circles going one way. Do this five times.
  4. Slowly make circles going the other way. Do this five times.
  5. Repeat this one more time.

Side Arm Circles

Let’s continue with the story I Am A Rock.

I am a rock. I watch, I hear, and I feel life on the land time and time again, until one day you pick me up and bring me home.

A hand reaches toward Miki Rock, who is resting in the grass among other rocks, flowers, and plants. Text at the top of the page reads, 'I am a rock.' Text at the bottom of the page reads, 'I watch, I hear, and I feel life on the land time and time again, until one day you pick me up and bring me home.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 20.

Page 20 Audio

With you I can fly, I can run, and I can walk.

An outdoor scene showing grassy ground with flowers, rocks, and plants. Three images of Pauloosie appear around the page, each holding up Miki Rock while moving across the grass. Text in the centre of the page reads, 'With you I can fly, I can run, and I can walk.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 21.

Page 21 Audio

Pauloosie holds up Miki Rock to his face. Text at the top of the page reads, 'I am your rock.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 22.

Page 22 Audio

Anaana puts Miki Rock beside sleeping Pauloosie, and kisses his forehead.

An illustrated nighttime scene shows Pauloosie lying in bed under blankets. Anaana places Miki Rock beside him while leaning over the bed. Grass, flowers, and rocks surround the bed. Text at the bottom of the page reads, 'Anaana puts Miki Rock beside sleeping Pauloosie, and kisses his forehead.'

Listen to the audio to follow along with page 23.

Page 23 Audio

How does Pauloosie feel at this part of the story?

Use clues from the pictures and share your thoughts with someone else if you can.

Press the Reveal button to check out a possible answer.

I think Pauloosie is happy and excited. He has a big smile and is playing with Miki Rock.

Have you ever seen or felt a rock like the one in the story?

A nighttime scene shows Pauloosie sleeping in a bed outdoors under a dark, starfilled sky. A lamp shines light onto Miki Rock resting on a small table beside the bed.

Pause and Reflect

Pause and reflect

  • What did this story teach us about the land or nature?
  • How can we take care of the land, rocks, or animals?
  • Does this story remind you of another story or song?

Share your thoughts with someone else if you can.

writing

Printing practice

V is for Vet.

A vet is an animal doctor.

Let’s practice printing the letter V.

A piece of lined paper with a dotted line showing how to print the letter V in uppercase.
Z is for Zip.

Let’s practice printing the letter Z.

A piece of lined paper with a dotted line showing how to print the letter Z in uppercase.

Now, you try!

Practice printing this letter in your notebook or using a method of your choice.

Use the following checklist to learn some printing tips.

When you are printing:

Consolidation

Time to explore!

Three young children lie on the floor reading a book together.

Check out some fun ideas to help you learn more about texts and connections!

You may choose one or more centres to explore.

Activity Centre

An arts icon with a music note, a paintbrush, and theatre masks.

Arts

 An inquiry icon with two puzzle pieces and a magnifying glass.

Inquiry

 A movement icon with two pilons with an arrow moving through them.

Movement

 A literacy icon with an open book. There is an apple on one page and the letter “Aa” on the other.

Literacy

Arts

Share your favourite part!
A young child holds a drawing on white paper.

What was your favourite part of the story I Am A Rock?

Show your favourite part of the story with pictures and/or words.

Back to Activity Centre

Inquiry

Be a rock like Miki

If you would like to try this activity, you can use materials that you have in your learning space. Always ask permission from a trusted adult before gathering your materials.

Possible materials

Art supplies around a notepad, including crayons, markers, scissors, glue, coloured paper, and a magnifying glass.
  • a notebook or drawing paper
  • pencil, crayons, or markers
  • optional: magnifying glass
  • optional: clipboard or hard surface to write/draw on

Let’s get ready to explore!

I am a rock. I watch, I hear, and I feel life on the land time and time again, until one day you pick me up and bring me home.

A hand reaches toward Miki Rock, who is resting in the grass among other rocks, flowers, and plants. Text at the top of the page reads, 'I am a rock.' Text at the bottom of the page reads, 'I watch, I hear, and I feel life on the land time and time again, until one day you pick me up and bring me home.'

In our story, Miki Rock looked closely at the land, animals, and sky around them.

Now it’s your turn to Be a Rock and see the world from the ground up!

Press the following tabs to get started.

A young child rests their arm on the window ledge and faces the window.
  • Before choosing a special spot, speak to a trusted adult.
  • You can be outside (playground, garden, near a window).
  • You can be inside (near a plant, window, or cozy place).

A young child sits with legs crossed and eyes closed on a rug.
  • Feel the ground beneath you.
  • Take a few slow breaths.

A young child raises a hand next to their ear.
  • What do you notice around you?
  • What colours, shapes, or textures do you see?
  • Do you hear sounds? Feel the wind or warmth?

A young child draws on paper with a marker at a table.
  • You can draw what you see or write a few words.
  • Try using some words from the story (soft, cool).

Two young children sit on the floor facing each other.
  • Tell someone about your rock spot if you can.
  • What was your favourite part?
  • What did you notice that surprised you?

Pause and Reflect

Reflect and connect

Let’s think about your exploration.

  • How did it feel to sit still like a rock?
  • What did you discover when you took time to look closely?
  • How is your space like Miki Rock’s world in the story?
  • What would your rock say if it could talk?
A learner says, "Visit your rock spot again another day. What's the same? What's different?"
Back to Activity Centre

Movement

Move like the land

We are going to move our bodies like some of the things we saw in the book I am a Rock by Ashley Qilavaq-Savard.

Before you begin, press the following tabs to get ready.

Have you moved any objects that you might bump into?

Listen to your body. Take breaks or stop if you need to.

Follow the steps to move your body.

You can also do any action that feels most comfortable for you. 

Now you create your own movement!

Think of something you saw in nature or in the story.

Make a movement to show what it does.

If possible, share your movement with someone, and see if they can guess what it is.

Back to Activity Centre

Literacy

Animals in I Am a Rock

Let’s review some of the animals we learned about in the story I Am A Rock.

Have you ever seen any of these animals in your own life?

Now it’s your turn!

Choose one animal from the story.

Can you:

  • draw a picture of the animal and label the parts?
  • tell someone one thing you notice about it?

You could also think about:

Where might this animal live?

What sound might it make?

Share your ideas with someone else if you can.

Back to Activity Centre

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Press the button next to the sentence that matches how you feel.

I feel...