Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 10/05) - The territorial education department is charging toward a made-in-Nunavut curriculum that is relevant to Inuit.

This school year has seen a host of new tools for teachers introduced into schools throughout the territory.

"Overall, all attempts are to have the curriculum better meet the needs for students," said David Parks, principal of Pond Inlet's Nasivvik high school for the last 27 years. "It is becoming more relevant to Nunavut and Inuit culture but at the same time still has the necessary courses for university and college upon graduation."

Most of the new material focuses on high school students.

Here's what's new this year:

An English as a Second Language handbook for Grade 7 to 9 teachers.

"It addresses how to approach, say, science, in a way that suits ESL students," said curriculum development officer Cathy McGregor.

A number of teaching units for Grade 8 and 9 which focus on teaching English skills.

These units outline what should be taught, how, and what is expected, said McGregor.

"Instead of each individual teachers having to adapt the curriculum, the department is doing it as a whole," said Parks. "It's so teachers don't have to exhaust their creativity."

Among the units are "Survival on the Land" and "Children's Rights."

Grade 12 material for the Aulajaaqtut subject area, which helps students learn about health, wellness, safety, community services and self-esteem.

Before now only Grade 10 and 11 had material for this. "We plan to extend it from K to 12," said McGregor.

Grade 12 material for Inuktitut Language Arts, which includes communication of many kinds.

"Including fine arts because that is another way of communication," said McGregor.

Now Grades 10, 11 and 12 have this material.

An interactive CD Rom for Grade 8 Nunavusiutit (study of the land), which teaches environmental studies, political studies and geography.

Principals spanning the territory met in Pond Inlet for four days at the end of September to get a grip on the new material. People from the department were on hand to help them through it. "It addressed the changes, development and programming, among other things," said Parks. "It was beneficial."