- Definition
A "cultural text" is anything from stories and songs to clothing and traditions that helps us understand a group's beliefs, history, and way of life. These things often have special meanings that you need to know about that culture to fully understand.
A totem pole is a cultural text that tells the history and stories of a specific First Nations family or clan through its carvings.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A cultural text is like a special family recipe; it carries stories and traditions that are meaningful to a specific group of people.
Ask your child: What is a special story or song that our family shares?
Common mix-up: Kids might think a cultural text is just an object or story. These texts are special because they carry the deep beliefs, history, and identity of a whole community.
Examples
- A tartan pattern is a cultural text that represents a specific Scottish clan.
- The beadwork on a pair of moccasins is a cultural text that can express identity and tell a story.
cultural text is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
+2 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
