- Definition
A "cultural text" is anything from stories and songs to clothing and traditions that helps us understand a group of people's beliefs, history, and way of life. These things often have special meanings that you need to know about to truly understand them.
A totem pole is a cultural text that tells the story and history of a family or clan through its carved figures.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A cultural text is like a team's special jersey, which shows who you belong to and what your team stands for.
Ask your child: If our family had a jersey, what symbols would be on it and why?
Common mix-up: Kids may think 'text' just means words on a page. A cultural text can also be an object, a song, or a dance that carries a community's story and beliefs.
Examples
- A traditional song or dance performed at a ceremony is a cultural text.
- The specific beadwork patterns on a piece of regalia can be a cultural text.
- A family recipe used for a specific holiday celebration can also be a cultural text.
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 ↗
