Minds On

Asking questions

Explore this TVOkids video entitled "Kajsa" to learn more about the Haida Gwaii Nation.

Kajsa shared a lot of information about her community in her video.

When we learn new information, we often have questions about that information. Questions are also called wonderings, like “what do I wonder?”

Kajsa told us that she lived on an island.

Brainstorm

Island living

What are some questions or wonderings you might have about living on an island?

Press ‘Example’ to reveal some questions you could ask.

  • What kind of transportation does Kajsa use to leave the island?
  • How did Kajsa interact with the water and the forest in her community?

Now, let’s record the questions you’ve come up with!

Complete the Kajsa and Her Community activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. You can also complete this activity using a method of your choice.

Press the Activity button to access the Kajsa and Her Community.

Activity(Opens in a new tab)

Action

Connecting with water in a community

Kajsa lived on an island, and that means she had water around her.

An island from a top-down view. The island is covered in trees and surrounded by water.

Kajsa and her community have a relationship with this water, and a responsibility to ensure it is taken care of. This water meets their needs and they use it in their daily lives.

What questions or wonderings could you ask to find out how Kajsa and her community connect with the water?

Now, you can access the video again and explore the answers to your questions.

Press ‘Examples’ to reveal some ways in which Kajsa and her community connect with water.

  • They fish.
  • They play with crabs.
  • They drink from the spring.
  • They eat clams and seaweed.
  • They use the seaweed to make gel.
  • They whale watch.
  • They kayak and swim in the water.
  • They travel on the water to get on and off the island.

How do you connect with water?

Water droplets on leaves

Now that you have explored Kajsa’s connection with water, think about these questions:

  • How do you connect with water in your community?

Press ‘Examples’ to reveal some ways people connect with water.

Going for walks by the water, canoeing, drinking water, swimming, and much more.
  • Is it important to have a stronger relationship and connection with the water in your community?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Connecting with nature in a community

In Kajsa’s community, she lives close to forest areas.

Kajsa and her community are connected with these forest areas. Just like the waters, Kajsa and her community have a relationship with this forest, and a responsibility to ensure it is taken care of. The forest meets their needs and they use it in their daily lives.

What questions or wonderings could you ask to find out how Kajsa and her community connect with the forest?

Let's access the video again to explore the answers to your questions.

Press ‘Examples’ to reveal some ways in which Kajsa and her community connect with the forest.

  • They use one strip of bark from the trees to weave 20 baskets.
  • They eat berries.
  • They pray to the cedar trees when they take two strips of bark.
  • They use the trees to make totem poles.
  • They use plants in the forest to make medicine.

How do you connect with nature?

A child planting a small tree.

Now that you have explored Kaisa’s connection with the forest, think about these questions:

  • How do you connect with trees and plants in your community?

Press ‘Examples’ to reveal some ways people connect with nature.

Climbing trees, going for hikes, planting flowers, and much more!
  • Is it important to have a stronger relationship and connection with the forests in your community?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Consolidation

Water or plants?

You learned a lot about Kajsa’s community and how they connect to water, trees, and plants.

Can you tell whether it is plants or water that helps meet these needs in a community?

For each sentence, select either water or plant from the drop-down menu.

Meeting our needs now and in the future

A small tree growing in a forest.
Some rocks in a shallow stream of water.

Think about what you learned about Kajsa and her community. Think about how you connect with water and plants in your community.

How can we protect and connect to plants, trees, and water in our community to meet our needs now and in the future?

Record your thoughts in a notebook or a method of your choice.

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.