Learn about the keystone species- salmon- and find out more about overharvesting, climate stress, large females, and more! Finish off by telling the story in a crankie storybox. Crankies are an old storytelling artform where the scroll of paper moves (is cranked) across the viewing window to tell a story.
Themes and Topics to choose from:
Migration and the Yukon River
Life cycle
Climate change
What happened to salmon over the last few decades?
7 year Moratorium on Chinook salmon
Obstacles to survival
Format:
Meet the River: watershed and migration investigation
Dig Deeper: Interactive activities to dig deeper
Challenges and obstacles: explore what salmon encounter along the way
Tell the story: Create your own salmon tale based on your new knowledge!
In small groups:
1. Plan the story: Draw the storyline or sequence on paper
2. Prepare the storybox: put the box and paper strips together
3. Decorate the storybox
4. Create your story: Draw the story on the long paper strip
5. Build your crankie: Connect the paper strip onto the crankie handles
6. Tell the story! Bring your salmon story to life
| Grade Suitability | K-12 |
| Maximum Class Size | 25 |
| Time Required | 2.5 hours instruction, 1 hour prep |
| Material Required | White paper strips, Glue sticks, Scissors, Coloured pencils, Sharpeners, Regular pencils, Markers, Pastels, Skewers, Cardboard box cutouts - Artist can bring some supplies to add to what the class is able to provide |
| Material Cost | $50 |
| Language of Instruction | English |
| Communities | All |
| Special Notes | A longer version of this program is also available. |
Kelly Lynn Scott is a trained Montessori educator, artist, facilitator, and curriculum developer based in Whitehorse, Yukon. Her practice is rooted in curiosity, connection to place, storytelling, and hands-on learning. Drawing from her background in Montessori and forest education, Kelly creates interdisciplinary experiences that invite learners to explore ideas through art, nature, movement, and making.
Kelly is bringing forward salmon awareness and stewardship through "Tell the Story", as we explore the importance of the whole river system and recognize how interconnected we all are within it. At a time when salmon numbers are low, sharing knowledge, listening to one another, and bringing many voices together can help unite our efforts to care for salmon and support their future.
Through her Artist in the Schools offerings, Kelly connects art with learning about place, ecology, culture, and community, giving students opportunities to transform their knowledge and observations into visual stories and creative works.