Grade 2

Spirit and Intent

Books

Arthur's Promise

Arthur makes a promise that he finds difficult to keep.  Not only does Arthur learn about the importance of keeping promises, he also learns about the importance of kindness.​
Brown, M., & Studio, M. (2001). Arthur's Family Values: Arthur's promise. Houston, TX: Advance Publishers.

​Be Honest and Tell the Truth

Be honest and Tell the Truth will help younger children understand the importance of honesty in both words and actions.  The story also demonstrates that honesty takes courage and tact. They also learn that honesty builds trust and self-confidence.  Discussion questions, scenarios, skits and games are included.
Meiners, C. J. (2007). Be honest and tell the truth. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit.

​The Boy Who Cried Wolf

A family lives in a small village. Everyone in the family must do his or her part to provide for the family. It is the youngest son’s job to herd the family’s sheep. He must be very careful because a wolf is nearby. But the boy does not believe there is danger. He is bored with his work. He decides to trick his family and cry, “Wolf!” even though the wolf is not there. The family comes to him and is angry that he lies. The boy promises not to lie again, but he does anyway. He loses everyone’s trust. When the wolf really arrives, no one believes the boy’s cries. Will the boy save himself and the sheep from the wolf (Publisher)?
Bradley, K. (2012). The boy who cried wolf. Huntington Beach, CA: Teacher Created Materials.

Buniq's Boots

Turtle Island Voices, grades 1-6, consist of ten titles per grade.  The series offers aboriginal children a unique opportunity to see themselves in their learning materials.  It is rooted in the concepts of inter-connectedness, respect for life, and the quest for a better future.  It offers all children the opportunity to recognize the role and contributions of Aboriginal peoples in the life, culture, and heritage of Canada (Publisher).
Cutting, R. (2011). Turtle Island Voices: Buniq's boots. Oakville, ON: Rubicon Publishing Inc.

Download

Turtle Island Voices, grades 1-6, consist of ten titles per grade.  The series offers aboriginal children a unique opportunity to see themselves in their learning materials.  It is rooted in the concepts of inter-connectedness, respect for life, and the quest for a better future.  It offers all children the opportunity to recognize the role and contributions of Aboriginal peoples in the life, culture, and heritage of Canada (Publisher).
Cutting, R. (2011). Turtle Island Voices: Download. Oakville, ON: Rubicon Publishing Inc.

The Giving Tree: A Retelling of a Traditional Metis Story 

​This story focuses on the Metis core values and beliefs of strength, kindness, courage, tolerance, honest, respect, love, sharing, caring, balance, patience and the connection with the Creator and Mother Earth as the narrator reminisces of Moushoom and finding the great “giving tree” with his mother and father. 
Dorian, L. (2009). The giving tree: A retelling of a traditional Metis story. Regina, SK: Gabriel Dumont Institute.

​Honesty:  Character Education Grades 1-3
Onion Lake First Nation. (2004). Honest: Character education grades 1-3. Onion Lake, SK: Onion Lake Education.

Iktomi and the Coyote:  A Plains Indian Story

Iktomi, the Plains Indian Trickster, comes upon some prairie dogs playing a game of daring in the hot ashes.  Iktomi tries to trick them into believing he will call them out before they burn. Alas he believes he has a quick meal until Coyote comes along with an idea of his own.  Iktomi’s greed and conceit become his downfall.
Goble, P. (1998). Iktomi and the coyote: A Plains Indian story. New York: Orchard Books.

Iktomi and the Ducks:  A Plains Indian Story

Iktomi, the Plains Indian Trickster, is out searching for his horse when he comes upon some ducks and wants to make a meal out of them.  He manages to catch the ducks but wily coyote also enters the scene and has a idea of his own on who should have the delicious meal. A story about greed and conceit.
Goble, P. (1994). Iktomi and the ducks: A Plains Indian story. New York, NY: Orchard Books.

​I'm Telling the Truth:  A First Look at Honesty

Children are shown that although being honest can be hard sometimes, it is worth it. Everyone likes people who speak the truth and keep their word. Kids learn that when we all practice being honest, the world becomes a fairer and happier place to live in. Titles in the popular "A First Look At" series for pre-school and early-grades kids explore emotional issues, encouraging children to discuss things that bother them with trusted adults (Publisher).
Thomas, P. (2006). I'm telling the truth: A first look at honesty. Hauppauge, NY: Barrons Educational Series.

Just Joking!

Turtle Island Voices, grades 1-6, consist of ten titles per grade.  The series offers aboriginal children a unique opportunity to see themselves in their learning materials.  It is rooted in the concepts of inter-connectedness, respect for life, and the quest for a better future.  It offers all children the opportunity to recognize the role and contributions of Aboriginal peoples in the life, culture, and heritage of Canada (Publisher).
​Cutting, R. (2011). Turtle Island Voices: Just joking. Oakville, ON: Rubicon Publishing Inc.

Nanabosho Dances

In this Ojibwe tale, Grandfather shares the story of Nanabosho to his two grandchildren as they prepare for powwow.  He shares how the Creator gave Nanabosho a gift of tobacco which was to be used as an offering before using the other gifts on this earth such as during hinting or taking a plant. However, he loses the tobacco and so decides to dance using hoops created from willow sticks.  He asks for help to find the tobacco and sees new plants growing around him. Information about hoop dancing, protocol for using tobacco, sweetgrass and eagle feathers are woven throughout the story.
McLellan, J. (1991). Nanabosho dances. Winnipeg, MB: Pemmican. ​

Rabbit and Bear Paws:  Sacred Seven 

Rabbit and Bear Paws, is a series of books and graphic novels based on the Seven Grandfathers of Respect, Bravery, Love, Honesty, Humility, Wisdom and Truth.  The characters are mischievous, and the audience learns life lessons from their numerous pranks and mistakes while also appreciating the unity of the Native communities and how they relate to one another peacefully. Rabbit and Bear Paws are heroes that were created to share humorous adventures based on Traditional Teachings (Publisher).
Solomon, C., & Leary, T. (2013). Rabbit and Bear Paws series. Peterborough, ON: Little Spirit Bear Productions.

​Wishing for a Summer Birthday

Circle of Life Sets 1–3 and Sets 4–6 levelled books are for guided and independent reading. This collection of narrative and nonfiction books offers unique content that engages students, and deepens appreciation and understanding of Indigenous cultures and traditions (Publisher).
Indigenous Education Coalition. (2013). Circle of Life Series: Wishing for a  summer birthdday. Toronto, ON: Nelson Education.

Videos

Got a Problem?

ROVER | Got a Problem?

The video begins to demonstrate a basic understanding of the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It includes three sections: Keep Your Hands to Yourself - students learn that using words is better than hitting and poking to solve problems; Ask Questions - students learn strategies to solve problems instead of making assumptions and blaming; and Share Ideas - students learn strategies that help to find a solution that everyone finds acceptable.

Mazzarella Media. (2010). Got a problem? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://rover.edonline.sk.ca/en/rover/videos/1279