• Storytelling Method:
• Stories, legends and lessons are passed on through generations through continuous retelling.
• Learning is an everyday occurrence; Students learn from observing their parents, elders, and from the stories. 
• Students learn through natural everyday occurrences not artificial settings like a classroom with desks in rows.
• The students interpret the stories to make sense to their life. The stories could have multiple meanings that relate to each individual’s life.
• Learning trough Observation and Imitation:
• Students learn by observing family, and elders to determine acceptable behaviour, learn skills and develop a sense of self and belonging. 
• Learning by doing or hands on learning is a great method for learning that should be utilized more in all classrooms. Textbook knowledge doesn’t compare to actual experience. You can graduate with your degree but if you have no experience working in that field then finding a job becomes much more difficult. 
• Learning by doing prepares students for adult responsibility
• Instruction needs to be slowed down and explained through examples what show how it’s done instead of just explaining it

• Community Support Encourages Learning:
• When instruction takes place as a community, where everyone feels safe to express their thoughts learning becomes much easier. I think this relates back to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs; in order for a students to be able to focus on learning they must first be comfortable and feel safe.
• The aboriginal students in this piece mention that they feel comfortable asking for help in their community because they know everyone wants them to succeed, it’s okay if you don’t know something because then you can learn it. In the classroom however it is mentioned that they feel scrutinized like everyone is waiting for a moment to point out their flaws.
• Learning though Scaffolding: 
• Students need some form of scaffolding, I think this is true of all students not just aboriginal students.
• Three types of scaffolding are mentioned: direct guidance, numerous examples, and explicit steps. These three steps really relate to all classrooms. Students need the teacher there to help when any questions arise. The teacher should also provide many examples to students to make sure their know what to do and what it should look like. And lastly explicit steps, tell the students what is expected and how, this way they know what to do and there is little room for confusion. 

• Learning through Visual Sensory Modes:
• Using visual aids to help enhance teaching and learning is yet another example of something that I believe should be done in all classrooms regardless of the student population. The fact of the matter is the more sensory inputs are used to learn the better the knowledge will stick in the students’ minds.

Over all I think it’s important to remember who your audience is. You need to modify your teaching style to suit the students in your class. Observe and learn which teaching methods work best for them, use a variety of methods and know how your students learn with these. It doesn’t matter what culture your students come from all students learn in different ways so be aware of which work in your class.

Aboriginal students need direct instruction opposed to indirect statements that leave the meaning interpretation up to them. In their community and family they are told directly what is expected which leaves little room for their own interpretations and misunderstandings. Provide students with clear expectations in order to be an effective teacher. 

Aboriginal students describe and understand their selves as a part of a whole. They relate their personality back to outside cultural forces that shaped who they are. For this reason Aboriginal students tend to work better in collaborative ways. They are better able to understand and learn when they are learning as a whole or a unit. If the group work setting isn’t established properly however then group learning activities may actually hinder the learning.

Group work needs to have everyone sharing in the task equally. Participating in the task because that’s what’s good for the group. Often in groups one person takes on most of the weight and others just follow. Taking responsibility for the group work together and a whole and working collaboratively is a very important and beneficial way for aboriginal students to learn because it related to the community that they grew up in, where often people are working in such a collaborative way. This also is an beneficial way for all students to learn in groups.

Respect:

Students need to feel respected by their teacher In order for them to feel that they are in a safe, open, and accepting environment. The students want the teacher to treat them like they have something important to add to the class, like they can teach the class something important, or provide a new perspective. Students want to be treated as an individual without any biases or previous judgements. Teachers always need to be unbiased in the classroom giving full respect and opportunity to all students in the class regardless of cultural background.

Strictness:

Students expect their teacher to act as an authority figure with strict rules, disciplines and expectations. Students should know their limits. Setting boundaries and clear expectations in the classroom are important. Students like to know where they and with you and they’ll respect you more if you are direct and stick to the set rules. Since students are growing up with parents or guardians who are their direct authority figures and many know other members of the community as irect authority figures as well duch as an elder, students feel more comfortable when they know what to expect from you the authority of the classroom. With this being said, Students still need to feel comfortable expressing themselves freely in the classroom.

Personal Warmth:

Teachers need to make an effort to get to know their students. Showing them warmth, caring and developing a positive relationship help students feel like a valued member of the class. Knowing that the teacher cares enough to get to know you can motivate a students to learn. Often students need an authority figure to believe in them and to build positive learning relationships in order for them to succeed. When teachers make an effort to get to know their students it also increases instruction ability, because when you know your students you can better modify to their interests, learning styles and cultural background. I think that again this is indicative of all teachers despite the group of students. Teachers should always make an effort to build positive relationships with their students.