TakingITGlobal

Priscilla's session promotes cultural awareness and appreciation among students as they gain insight into Indigenous culture and traditional art forms. It was a session where I was able to assess students' carving techniques and creativity, assess their ability to overcome challenges and persevere through the carving process, and reflect on their resilience and problem-solving skills. It allowed students to reflect on their learning of soapstone carving and identify areas of growth for future improvement. Afterwards, we held a group discussion where students shared their thoughts on the experience while I visually organized their thoughts on the whiteboard. Later, students journaled about their experiences, highlighting memorable moments, challenges overcome, and insights gained. As a follow-up extension activity, we applied our skills and knowledge acquired from Priscilla's session to a different medium, clay, with a cross-curricular focus on biodiversity within Arctic ecosystems. Throughout any Connected North session, I recommend conducting individual check- ins with students who may be struggling. Students need constant encouragement and support because they often encounter challenges or frustrations with independent tasks. I offer students practical tips to help them work through difficulties. Student attention may start to drift as some sessions may be a bit long for younger audiences. I find that asking the content provider for five minutes and incorporating short breaks or movement activities to reenergize students and refocus their attention has helped retain student attention. As a teacher facilitating the connection of students to a Connected North session, my advice is to be flexible and adaptable and address issues promptly while remaining patient and understanding of any challenges, be they technical or behavioural. C o n n e c t e d N o r t h i n O u r C l a s s r o o m Shankary Oppilamany - Connected North in Our Classroom 57

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