Walking Together Insights

Overview

This 30-minute session invites students to explore Cree culture and values through a powerful read-aloud of Walking Together by Elder Elbert D. Marshall and Louise Zimanyi. Through close listening, reflective writing, and creative expression, students will connect with Indigenous perspectives, developing empathy and critical thinking aligned with California English Language Arts (ELA) standards and the California Native American curriculum framework.

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Grade Level

4th Grade (ages 9-10)

Class Size

15 students

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• RL.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences.
• RL.4.2: Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
• W.4.8: Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
• SL.4.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• Culturally Responsive Teaching: Reflect on Indigenous knowledge and values, honouring diverse cultural identities per the California Native American Curriculum Framework.

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Materials Needed

• Walking Together by Elder Elbert D. Marshall & Louise Zimanyi (one copy for teacher, optional copies for students)
• "All About Being Cree" worksheet (crafted to focus on Cree values/themes from the story)
• Paper, coloured pencils, magazines, scissors, glue (for collage/artwork)
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
• Reflection journal/notebook for each student (optional)

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Standards Alignment

• California Common Core State Standards - English Language Arts: RL.4.1, RL.4.2, W.4.8, SL.4.1
• California Department of Education - Tribal History/Native American Education Framework: Emphasizes cross-cultural understanding, respect for Indigenous perspectives, and the importance of oral traditions and storytelling in Indigenous communities.

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Lesson Structure (30 Minutes)

1. Introduction & Connection (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief discussion: Ask students, “What does it mean to belong to a culture or community? What are some values that shape who we are?”
• Introduce the book Walking Together, explaining that it shares stories and teachings from the Cree people, an Indigenous group in Canada. Highlight the importance of storytelling in preserving culture.
• Activate background knowledge by connecting the theme of belonging with the students’ own experiences.

2. Read Aloud (10 minutes)

• Read Walking Together aloud with expressive voice, pausing at key moments to highlight Cree values such as respect, community, connection to nature, and resilience.
• Emphasize important vocabulary and encourage students to visualise the scenes and values being shared.
• Use strategic questioning during reading to provoke critical thinking (e.g., “Why do you think this teaching is important for the Cree people? How do these values compare to ours?”).

3. Worksheet Completion (7 minutes)

• Distribute the "All About Being Cree" worksheet. This prompts students to:
  • Identify key Cree values highlighted in the story.
  • Reflect on why these values are important for the Cree community.
  • Personal connections: Have they seen or practised any similar values?
• Circulate to provide support and encourage thoughtful responses.

4. Creative Reflection & Discussion (7 minutes)

• Invite students to create a simple symbolic artwork or collage representing Cree values and teachings from the story. They can use images, words, and colours that resonate with what they learned.
• Encourage students to think personally about why these values matter and how they relate to their own lives.
• Close with a short gallery walk or voluntary sharing session where students briefly explain their artwork, promoting respectful listening and speaking skills.

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Differentiation & Supports

• For ELLs and diverse learners: Pre-teach key vocabulary such as “community,” “values,” “respect,” and “tradition.” Use visual aids during read-aloud.
• Extension: Students interested in researching further can explore Cree culture or local Native American tribes and compare their values.
• For students needing scaffolding: Pair with a buddy during worksheet and artwork creation for peer support.

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Reflection & Assessment

• Collect the worksheets to assess student understanding of Cree values and themes.
• Observe student participation during discussion and artwork sharing for engagement and comprehension.
• Use student reflections and artworks as informal assessments of personal connection and deeper understanding.

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Teacher Tips to ‘Wow’ Your Class

• Add a brief traditional Cree greeting (teach pronunciation together) before reading to foster cultural appreciation.
• Play ambient nature sounds softly in the background during the reading to evoke the connection to land, central to Cree teachings.
• Frame discussion with land acknowledgement (appropriate to your local Indigenous communities) reinforcing respect and awareness.
• Provide a small takeaway with a Cree word of the day related to the lesson’s theme to build linguistic and cultural bridges.

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This lesson celebrates Indigenous storytelling while fostering students’ comprehension, reflection, and creative expression—embedding empathy and respect into the curriculum aligned with California’s rigorous and culturally affirming standards.