On April 15, in Mr. Johnston's Grade 2 classroom, students had an opportunity to present their skills at memorizing and reciting poetry to visiting family and caregivers. The students' family members had been invited to a special Poetry Café in the classroom. Students spent weeks memorizing William Blake's poem "The Tyger," which they recited aloud for parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles, with a few practice runs for good measure. What a fantastic job they did!
The Grade 2's enjoyed reading the poem aloud together - with visitors listening intently – learning to memorize and write their own poetry."They gain confidence in writing," said Mr. Johnston, "and develop better language awareness (new words or alternative words for saying the same thing differently), spelling, and even punctuation through this type of creative learning." He encourages the use of online language learning, specifically Anishinaabemowin, and speaking with Elders at home and at school. This encourages listening to the language spoken aloud repetitively and practicing how to pronounce words using the Anishinaabe alphabet sounds and letter combinations at their own pace of understanding. As a result, online learning supports all students at whatever stage they may be at through interactive teaching and exposure. Mr. Johnston emphasizes that students are not all at the same reading or language level as their classmates; everyone develops at a different pace and in various ways. Children can discover a love for reading, improve literacy and language, and gain knowledge on their heritage through exploring interesting topics such as animals, science, and nature, which are among the most familiar and popular subject matters for children in this age group.
Mr. Geoffrey Johnston, who proudly introduces himself as a member of the Chippewas of Nawash, explains how he introduced the class to poems and poetry – April is National Poetry Month -- recalling himself as a young boy being introduced to these same creative mediums by his father, Basil Johnston. Some may be familiar with Basil Johnston (B. July 13, 1929 – D. September 8, 2015), an Anishinaabe storyteller, published writer, language teacher, linguist, and scholar. He is a distinguished recipient of the Order of Ontario (1989), as well as the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, Indspire award for Heritage and Spirituality, the Anskohk Aboriginal Literary Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, and honorary doctorates from Laurentian University and University of Toronto. Basil is the published author of 25 books in English and 5 in his native Anishinaabemowin in which he re-created stories from his own life experiences, and shared Anishinaabe tradition and knowledge passed on to him. He blazed the trail for writers of Indigenous content, where voices sharing these stories were not well-known nor supported before the mid-70s when Basil gained traction. Among his favoured novels, titles such as “Moose Meat & Wild Rice”, “Indian School Days”,and “Honour Earth Mother” still captivate audiences today, as indicated at a recent language conference Geoffrey attended. He displayed and sold copies of his father’s books and beamed proudly as he spoke about the variety and number of visitors to his booth. They were all highly complimentary of Basil’s work, asking Geoffrey numerous questions about his father’s writing/literary passions, and recounting their own stories of interactions with his dad. A celebrated Indigenous author and storyteller, Basil Johnston is a person to acknowledge, value, and investigate if you’re interested in Anishinaabe heritage, language, culture, and self-actualization, as well as for storytime pleasure. Geoffrey suggests visiting the website highlighting his late father's work towards supporting language and language revitalization efforts, called WinterSpiritCreations.com. It's a reliable resource for audio content to listen to and practice along with and lists numerous written materials to aid in increasing native language development and cultural awareness.
Mr. Johnston summarized his endeavours to offer the Poetry Café for his class and their caregivers as a way of celebrating his father's literary legacy. He recounts that all the reading his father encouraged him to do as a young boy resulted in his own love of poetry, literature, and Anishinaabe culture. In full circle tradition, this gift is now being passed along to his students! Mr. Johnston has been teaching since 1997.
Also present at the Poetry Café, allow us to introduce and welcome Vilena Toulouse! Vilena is a Teacher's Assistant who has been present in Mr. Johnston's classroom this Spring term, through Espanola High School’s cooperative education program. She expressed how much she has enjoyed her co-op placement at Biidaaban so far, and the value she has discovered in trying out the 'real job' while receiving credits toward her high school diploma. The placement lasts for one semester (four months). "I am learning lots and enjoying it!" Vilena stated. She mentioned that when she was growing up, she enjoyed working with kids, babysitting, and more recently, volunteering as an assistant to the Children's Wellness Program Worker (part of the CFAU) and helping to organize Sagamok’s summer camp programs offered for children. Looking ahead to career aspirations, Vilena says she is looking into becoming a Social Worker focusing on working with children. Best wishes to Vilena on her path!
The Poetry Café is not the first community interactive program that Mr. Johnston has offered over the school year! He has invited family members to come into the classroom several times, building upon the core skills of arithmetic, reading, and writing. He knows these opportunities help parents see what and how children are learning at school and can help them be better equipped to support their child(ren) at home. "Participation at home by parents/caregivers helping children to do homework or furthering their learning through interactive play, games, and daily exposure to speaking, listening (being read to or conversed with), or reading in Anishinaabemowin and/or English leads to more success in their education down the road and language revitalization”, expresses Mr. Johnston. It builds a stronger sense of self, as well as better learning and studying habits that will serve the students well in their future school years.
Miigwech, Mr. Johnston, for once again providing a meaningful, safe, and supported learning experience for both students and community members in the classroom.