Grade 7 students have been learning about the history of New France. I have used this as an opportunity to focus on developing better note taking skills and practising some of the more structured aspects of writing essential to communicating effectively.
Some of the students - well, ok - all of the students have found the work a little dry. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes improving foundation skills requires just grinding away at a task in order to make the leap forward.
One of the problems of the New France unit is that it appears to be yet another study of pioneers. Hooking students into a topic in a compelling way is the art of good teaching. I decided to leave the past and leap forward to 1970 and the October Crisis. We took a day to learn about the FLQ, the kidnappings, the assassination of LaPorte, the suspension of civil rights under the War Measures Act and the referendum where the break up of Canada became a true possibility. And how separatist rumblings are ever present in Canadian politics even today. Extensive footage from the period is available on You Tube - a fabulous reason to have this tool unblocked. It was eye opening for students to learn that what happens in other countries can also happen here.
Of course, for the students, the question became "Why? Why did this happen?" Now we have returned to our unit with an essential question. We have a purpose for learning how New France developed and why events of the past are affecting our present. They are hooked.
Some of the students - well, ok - all of the students have found the work a little dry. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes improving foundation skills requires just grinding away at a task in order to make the leap forward.
One of the problems of the New France unit is that it appears to be yet another study of pioneers. Hooking students into a topic in a compelling way is the art of good teaching. I decided to leave the past and leap forward to 1970 and the October Crisis. We took a day to learn about the FLQ, the kidnappings, the assassination of LaPorte, the suspension of civil rights under the War Measures Act and the referendum where the break up of Canada became a true possibility. And how separatist rumblings are ever present in Canadian politics even today. Extensive footage from the period is available on You Tube - a fabulous reason to have this tool unblocked. It was eye opening for students to learn that what happens in other countries can also happen here.
Of course, for the students, the question became "Why? Why did this happen?" Now we have returned to our unit with an essential question. We have a purpose for learning how New France developed and why events of the past are affecting our present. They are hooked.
Hello Heidi,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Rodney Patrick. I am a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. I really enjoyed reading this post. I definitely agree with you when you say that hooking students is an art form. In my opinion, if students are interested in what they are learning then they will be more eager to learn.
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteI am a student at The University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. I am also a soon to be aspiring teacher. i find your post very educating and yet again another good point as to why technology and education should go hand in hand. I believe we are hurting our students by not allowing them to access the world through their fingertips. I really enjoyed reading how you hooked the students. Also, how you took their stagnant thoughts on New France and turning them into "Why? How? What if?". Keep up the good work and inspirational posts!
Heather Rigby
Well done on the success of arousing the students' curiosity about the topic. Getting students motivated about something that is seemingly irrelevant to them is definitely an artform. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYes, most people don't realize that we are part Cirque de Soleil performers!