Historica Canada Education Portal

Students will read a Canadian novel to determine whether it provides an accurate picture of a Canadian event, experience, or character. In order to complete the assignment, students are expected to note the political, social, and economic circumstances outlined in the novel. Using primary and secondary sources the students will then write a report outlining the value of the novel as a historical source.

The unit is best taught after the students are well-versed in evaluating sources and have a good sense of the major events in Canadian history. Students should be allowed to report on any novel that is appropriate to their reading level, and which they can show will be appropriate for the task. A list of authors is attached.

Time Allowance: 3 weeks

Begin by consulting the worksheet "Using Historical Fiction and Film to Understand History."

Procedures:

Day 1: Set out expectations and provide an evaluation rubric (attached). Begin viewing a Canadian film (such asBon Cop-Bad Cop), stopping occasionally to have students point out economic, political, or social circumstances they are noting, and relate that to reality as they understand it.

Day 2: Finish viewing film. Divide class into groups of three to four and have them research the economic, political, and social circumstances surrounding the film to determine what is correct and what is incorrect. For example, theBon Cop-Bad Cop film can be used to learn about NHL hockey in Canada, divorce rates, police jurisdictions and procedures, French-English relations, and organized crime.

Day 3: Students will report orally on their findings and then begin to prepare a short written individual report, to ensure they remember how to organize a paper and cite their sources properly. This formative assignment is handed in and the students receive feedback on how to improve.

Optional additional activity: Formative assignment is shared through a version of speed dating. Each student passes their paper to the left and is given five minutes to read and then pass on. They are expected to do three things during the time they have a classmates paper: comment on what they like, suggest ways to improve, and keep notes on what ideas they want to use in their paper.

Day 5 and 6: Lesson on citing sources and then class time to work on reading and researching.

Day 6: First draft writing.

Day 7: Peer edit and teacher edit day.

Day 8: Second draft due to be edited.

Day 9: Work on final draft.

Day 10: Oral reporting by students.

Evaluation:
Attached

Students should be allowed to select from a wide list of Canadian literature. See the attached list of Canadian authors, but be open to student suggestion.

The Canadian Encyclopedia