Clearinghouse of Professional Information

First Nations Reading Circle Program

The First Nations Reading Circle Program was funded through a grant from the Coca Cola Foundation. The purpose of the Reading Circle is to provide programs that reflect the cultural identity and values of aboriginal people and link themes that are common to many cultures.

The Program Guide is a document that provides information on how to deliver a reading circle program for children ages 6-8 years. A reading circle program is different from a traditional preschool story time in that there is greater focus on discussing the stories and making links or connections between the books. The program encourages children to read aloud and to participate in story related activities.

Eleven theme based kits have been developed for use by the First Nation libraries in southern Ontario. These kits include books and other resource material necessary for programming. In addition there is a guide to each kit. The guides provide ideas on how to discuss the books, and suggestions for theme related activities.

You will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the (.pdf) files.

Program Guide

Guides to Thematic Kits

Differences

Accepting differences in others and being accepted is a common theme in children’s stories.The stories in this kit look at being acceptingof ourselves and others.

Grandparents

The stories and poems in this kit illustrate the important role of grandparents and overcoming the gap between children and grandparents.

Night

Powwow

This kit uses stories and non-fiction books to explore the powwow tradition and the celebrations of other cultures.

Seasons

The cycle of seasons is explored using songs, stories, and poems.

Sharing and Giving

Stories in this kit examine the value of sharing and giving, and the consequences of not sharing.

Tricksters

The trickster character can be both clever and foolish and is an instructional character in many First Nations stories. Tricksters are also found in stories from other cultures and this kit includes some of these stories.

Turtles

From legends of Turtle Island to stories about resourceful and wise turtles, this kit explores an important symbol.

Vision Quest

The stories in this kit are about the quest to find answers to problems. By spending time alone and through dream and visions the young characters in these books learn about themselves and what they must do.

Wolves

Explores respect for wolves through stories and poems, and compares the characterization of wolves in several books. Information about wolves, and an audio tape are also included.

Young Heroes and Heroines

Stories of people involved in heroic deeds are inspirational for children and even more so when the hero or heroine is a child.