Residential Schools: Teacher's Resource Guide: Grades K-4

Amik tells his grandfather about his school. His grandfather, a residential school survivor shares his story. Amik decides to show his grandfather his school.
Suggested Grade Levels: K-3 (ages 4-8)

When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother's garden, she begins to notice things that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long, braided hair and beautifully colored clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is told about life in a residential school a long time ago, where all of these things were taken away. When We Were Alone is a story about a difficult time in history, and, ultimately, one of empowerment and strength.
Suggested Grade Levels: Grade Levels: K-3 (ages 4-8)

The story of the beautiful relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. When she asks her grandfather how to say something in his language - Cree - he admits that his language was stolen from him when he was a boy. The little girl then sets out to help her grandfather find his language again. This sensitive and warmly illustrated picture book explores the intergenerational impact of the residential school system that separated young Indigenous children from their families. The story recognizes the pain of those whose culture and language were taken from them, how that pain is passed down, and how healing can also be shared.
Suggested Grade Levels: Grades 1-3 (Ages 6-9)

In this abbreviated version of Fatty Legs, an eight year old girl longs to be able to read. She wished to attend residential school so she can learn. Reluctantly her father allows her to go and she discovers that the experience is not what she’d hoped it would be. Much of her time is spent doing chores and the nun who teaches her is cruel to her. She is able to overcome adversity and learn to read.
Suggested Grade Levels: 1-4 (ages 6-9)

Not My Girl provides a shortened more accessible version of the story told in A stranger at home and serves as a sequel to When I was eight. Margaret’s return home from residential school is not as smooth as she had hoped as she now finds herself an outsider in her own family and community.
Suggested Grade Levels: 1-4 (ages 6-9)

Based on real experiences of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Fatty Legs describes a young girl’s experience attending residential school and chronicles some of the hardships that she faced. Like some other children, she sought to learn how to read and actually wanted to attend residential school to learn, despite her father’s warnings. While she does learn to read, she is constantly hungry and is subjected to other abuse during her time at school.
Suggested Grade Levels: 2-5 (ages 7-10)

A grandmother describes being torn away from her family in this illustrated book for children.
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-4 (ages 8-9)

This book captures the story of the author’s last summer before he is sent to residential school. He experiences nature and enjoys the Cree culture with his family.
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-6 (ages 8-11)

This book provides a sequel to As Long as The Rivers Flow, following the author’s teenaged years. As he attends residential school for the last year he finds friendship and begins to stand up for what he believes in. Upon his return he initially has a tough time assimilating back into his native culture. He sets out on his own and has his own adventures.
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-6 (ages 8-11)

In this sequel to Fatty Legs Margaret returns to her family, who have since decided to move. Her family does meet her when she is dropped off by a ship but do not seem very happy to see her. She feels very much as if she is now an outsider and has largely forgotten her native language. She has also grown to dislike her peoples’ food and is forbidden contact with her best friend because her best friend’s mother does not want her speaking English. Her own mother is particularly cold to her, but would like her to teach her how to read and write. She maintains a strong bond with her father, who can still communicate with her because he too had attended residential school and learned English there. Just as she begins to re-learn her native customs and reconnect with her family, she is asked to return to school, this time with her two younger sisters. This time she is determined not to let her or her sisters forget their language and customs. This book provides an interesting perspective and shows that the real hardships experienced by children sent to residential schools did not end when they return home.
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-6 (ages 8-11)

Based on the story of the author’s grandmother, I Am Not A Number revolves around an 8 year-old Irene, an aboriginal girl, being removed from her house to go to residential school. At school, she refuses to use the number that has been assigned to her, continuing to use her given name instead. Coming home after her year at school, her parents decide not to send her back and they attempt to hide her from the government agent trying to send her back.
Suggested Grade Levels: 4-6 (ages 9-11)

This vibrantly illustrated story tells of the last few days of Shi-shi-etko’s time with her family, before she is sent off to residential school. She takes time to appreciate the natural world around her and also take in valuable teachings from her family.
Suggested Grade Levels: K-3 (ages 4-8)

In this sequel to Shi-shi-etko, Shi-shi-etko returns to residential school for her second year. This time her younger brother, Shin-chi is with her. This time it is Shi-shi-etko who helps prepare her brother for the experience that lies ahead. The book follows a difficult year for the children, who are hungry, lonely and working extremely hard while being indoctrinated in Western ways.
Suggested Grade Levels: K-3 (ages 4-8)