Why are the FPPoL Important?
The First Peoples Principles of Learning have become a vital part of the Bachelor of Education program. The principles should be an important part of every classroom, but are not as widely used as we would hope. That being said, having a new group of teachers coming into the profession with a good understanding of the First Peoples Principles of Learning, gives us hope that future students will benefit from Indigenous ways of knowing being incorporated into their every day learning environment.
I personally try to incorporate the FPPoL into every one of my lessons in a meaningful way. I say it in a meaningful way, because in this program I have seen some very forced connections to Indigenous content, in places that they may not fit. It is important for me when making these connections to start with an Indigenous lens, and then the connections come more naturally, and feel less like a forced afterthought. By utilizing a more backwards design, highlighting the learning we want to take place, and the connections we want to make, as the first step of our lesson development, we can make more meaningful and easier connections to the FPPoL.