Lesson Plans

To help educators integrate Create to Learn tutorials in their classrooms, we've worked with Christine M'lot to develop this series of Units and Lesson Plans aligned to curriculum expectations across Canada. They can be used alongside the Create to Learn textbook, or explored while students watch each tutorial series online.

Unit 1: Photography, Filming, and Acting

Throughout this unit, students will learn the basics of photography and filming. In lesson one they will learn all about photography while demonstrating their learning by creating an original photo essay. In lesson two they will practice filming an interview with a community member and creating an original video from start to finish. In lesson three they will learn how to use video-editing software. Finally, in lessons four and five students will learn what it takes to get into the acting world while exploring acting as a career path.

Lesson 1: Film and Photography Basics (Sara Cornthwaite)

Throughout this lesson, students will be exposed to examples of photo essay journalism while learning photography basics. They will apply their knowledge by creating an original photo essay that tells a story about an aspect of their lives or communities. To celebrate, their photo essays will be displayed in the classroom as an exhibition and students will spend a class viewing each other’s work and discussing the meaning, emotions conveyed, and photography elements used.

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Film and Photography Basics
Lesson

Lesson 2: Film Yourself Like a Boss (Patrick Shannon)

Throughout this lesson, students will practice the art of filming. Students will first film themselves and then they will have the opportunity to film an interview with a community member and create an original video from start to finish.

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Film Yourself Like a Boss
Lesson

Lesson 3: Creating Digital Media on a Budget (Diana Hellson)

Throughout this lesson, students will learn how to use a free video editing program. Students will practice editing the videos they created in Lesson 2.

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Creating Digital Media on a Budget
Lesson

Lesson 4: So You Wanna Be an actor?

Throughout this lesson, students will learn about the evolving role of Indigenous people in film and tv from stereotyped caricatures in movies and television produced by non-Indigenous people, to Indigenous-produced media today. Students will be exposed to various examples of Indigenous stereotypes in movies and television throughout history while discussing the harmful effects of these stereotypes. Next, students will learn from Anna Lambe while comparing media written, produced and acted by Indigenous people.

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So You Wanna Be an Actor?
Lesson

Lesson 5: Actor's Toolkit

Throughout this lesson, students will practice preparing for auditions by engaging in a series of improv games. Students will then put their acting and video editing skills to action by creating an audition tape including a self-tape, video demo reel and audio demo reel.

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Actors Kit
Lesson

Unit 2: Cultural Creations and Business

In this Unit, students will learn from a variety of creatives on how they can explore business ideas and leverage online tools and platforms to launch a side hustle or business enterprise.

Lesson 1: Moccasin Making

Throughout this lesson, students will be exposed to various local and national moccasin makers while exploring their mission statements, products, materials, price ranges and advertising. Students will then have the opportunity to create a pair of moccasins while demonstrating the qualities of a successful businessperson including maintaining a positive attitude, setting goals, achieving outcomes and respecting the workspace. As an option, students may also organize a fundraising event and sell the items they create to raise funds for a cause they are passionate about.

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Moccasin Making
Lesson

Lesson 2: Working with Epoxy Resin to Create Jewellery

Throughout this lesson, students will be exposed to various local and national Indigenous jewellery makers while exploring their mission statements, products, materials, price ranges and advertising. Students will then have the opportunity to create a piece of jewellery while demonstrating the qualities of a successful businessperson including maintaining a positive attitude, setting goals, achieving outcomes and respecting the workspace. As an option, students may also organize a fundraising event and sell the items they create to raise funds for a cause they are passionate about.

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Working with Epoxy Resin
Lesson

Lesson 3: How to Make Bannock

Throughout this lesson, students will explore the concept of social impact projects. Social impact projects are initiatives that seek to solve problems in a given community. Students will be exposed to various examples of people utilizing their gifts and talents to create social change. Finally, students will have the opportunity to utilize their unique gifts and talents - such as making bannock- to raise awareness, volunteer, or give back to their communities in another way.

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How to Make Bannock
Lesson

Lesson 4: Fish Skin Tanning at Home

Throughout this lesson, students will learn about sustainability from an Indigenous perspective. They will be exposed to various examples of Indigenous sustainability practices - including fish skin tanning - while having the opportunity to work in groups to complete their own sustainability projects!

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Fish Skin Tanning
Lesson

Lesson 5: Graphic Arts

Through this lesson students will be exposed to various examples of Indigenous graphic designs created by the Indigenous-owned company Vincent Designs. Students will first engage in a Gallery Walk where they will view examples of Indigenous graphic designs created for organizations such as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Indspire Awards and more! While viewing the designs, students will learn about the inspiration and meaning of each. Next, students will learn from Indigenous graphic artist Ovila Mailhot where they will be taken through a series of lessons on how to use Photoshop to create graphic designs. Finally, students will read and respond to the article “Considerations and Best Practices in Indigenous design”.

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Graphic Art Tutorial
Lesson

Unit 3: Music and Recording

Throughout this unit, students will learn about aspects of the music industry including song writing, creating a portable recording booth, distribution, online presence and podcasting. Students will self-reflect on their learning journeys by writing blog posts to track their progression through the lessons.

Lesson 1: Music Industry Basics

Throughout this lesson, students will learn about Multiple Intelligence Theory and take a test to determine their top areas of interest or intelligence. Students will learn about the basics of what it takes to get into the music industry – from acquiring equipment, to distribution and publishing, building a strong team of like-minded people and working hard to achieve goals. Finally, students will self-reflect on their learning by writing a blog post.

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Music Industry Basics
Lesson

Lesson 2: Song Writing 101

Throughout this lesson, students will analyze a variety of songs and examine elements such as mood, concept, figurative language and message. Students will learn about song writing basics from Evan Redsky, and then work to create their own original songs!

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Songwriting 101
Lesson

Lesson 3: How to Create a Portable Recording Booth

Throughout this lesson, students will learn how to create a portable recording studio and research the costs associated with purchasing music recording equipment. Students will write a blog post educating future musicians on how to find the best deals for music recording equipment and where, based on their research findings.

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How To Create a Portable Recording Booth
Lesson

Lesson 4: Music Makers 101

Throughout this lesson, students will learn about recording, distributing and advertising in the music industry. Students will record the original songs they created in the previous lesson and create a blog post detailing their experience.

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Music Makers 101
Lesson

Lesson 5: Online Presence for Artists

Throughout this lesson, students will learn about the importance of online presence for art- ists. Students will analyze their favourite artists’ social media pages examining artist bios and brand aesthetic. Finally, students will create their own social media posters to advertise their songs, keeping in mind how various elements such as font and colours convey mood and tone.

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Artist's Online Presence
Lesson