Hello, Guest!

Learning Experience/Unit

A Collage of Canada


Subject

English Language Arts (2005)


Learning Context/ Introduction

In this unit, students develop an appreciation of the geography and culture of Canada. They play a game that involves reviewing materials about Canada and answering questions. Then they create a poster board and brochure about life in Canada. 


The teacher will need to collect several copies of brochures, magazine articles, maps, and other information about Canada (in both English and French) before beginning this unit.

Procedure:

  1. In small groups, students look over materials about Canada, including maps, brochures, magazine articles, tourist information, etc. They are to become familiar with the contents of the materials so that they can find answers to questions about Canada.
  2. The teacher reads a question aloud, assigning different points to each question. (Points are based on the difficulty in locating and providing the answer to the question. Answers that involve enriched vocabulary or complicated grammar also receive more points.) Students are given a limited time to locate the answer to the question. The groups can discuss possible answers before making a decision. (The teacher must confirm that each group can locate the answers in the materials that they have been given.) Sample questions are:
    • Name at least three Canadian actors or actresses. (1 point)
    • What is the population of Canada? (1 point)
    • What is the second largest French-speaking city in the world? (2 points)
  3. Students discuss additional information from the materials on Canada, pointing out facts that were not discussed in the game. Teachers should emphasize pop culture, similarities to life in the United States, France, and England, and well-known sites and products of Canada. Highlights include Les Voyageurs, Les Filles du Roy, and Les Acadiens. Students take notes as the teacher presents the information.
  4. Students make a collage on large poster board. The collage consists of several pictures (from the Internet, brochures, magazines, etc.) with two sentences of information written under each picture. The collage must contain the following:
    • 5 pictures from pop culture, entertainment, sports, or music
    • 3 famous persons in Canadian history
    • 1 map
    • 4 pictures of money, flags, symbols, mascots, etc.
    • 3 pictures depicting historical events
    • 4 other pictures that represent Canada.
  5. Students create an informational brochure to accompany the poster, describing what a visitor would see and experience in Canada.

Resource Materials

  • Multiple copies of brochures, maps, and other materials about Canada
  • Questions about Canada, based on the materials distributed to the small groups (with points assigned)
  • Large poster board, markers, materials that can be copied and cut up for the collages
  • Computer access

Assessment

Students are assessed on their speaking when participating in the information game about Canada. They are also assessed on the writing on their posters and in their brochures. Students are not evaluated on the artwork of their posters, but on accuracy and organization.

Authors

  • Elizabeth Bossong, Vestal High School
  • Rebecca Byam, Oneonta Central School District
  • Mary Champagne-Myers, Greece-Acadia High School
  • Linda Critelli, Williamsville Central School District
  • Deborah Dalton, Oneonta Central School District
  • Françoise Goodrow, Bruston-Moira High School (retired)
  • Barbara Gorham, Royalton-Hartland Central School District
  • Nancy Ketz, Holland Patent Central School District
  • Shadia Khalifa, Onondaga High School
  • Cindy Kennedy, Kenmore East High School
  • Michael Livingston, Sachem High School
  • Marie Loria, Valley Stream Central School District (retired)
  • Donyce McCluskey, West Canada Valley Central School District (retired)
  • Marna Meltzer, Bethlehem Central School District
  • Vickie Mike, Horseheads High School
  • Jennifer James, Onondaga High School
  • Rosine Leloir, Newcomb Central School District
  • Gail Parsons, Northern Adirondack Central School District
  • Joanne Poserina, Connetquot High School
  • Dawn Santiago-Marullo, Victor High School
  • Suzanne Schermerhorn, Mayfield High School
  • Madeline Turan, Sachem High School

Source

LOTE Writing Team. "A Collage of Canada." In Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Checkpoint C Resource Guide. New York State Department of Education, 64-65.


Data is Loading...
.
.