Baby Mike is sick

Hello ladies and germs,

Dr. Prof. Mike is sick today. You can visit his blog and send him well-wishes if you wish to wish him well.

Hopefully he'll be back tomorrow.

Grade 8s - Assignment #10: Diary/Letter from the Railroad

Hi Grade 8s,

Your new assignment is up on Mike's blog. Check it out and get rocking!

You will write as someone involved with the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway between 1881-1885.

If you're stuck for information, here are some places to get started
The Railroad in General
-Wikipedia entry on the Canadian Pacific Railway, lots of basic information
-The Canadian Pacific Railway website traces the history of the Railway, this may help if you are writing from the point of view of a person overseeing its construction.
-The Canadian Encyclopedia has an article that includes information about some of the people in charge of the railroad and the great importance of its construction

Chinese Railway Workers
-Historica has a one minute video depicting the danger of building a railroad that cut through mountains
-The Wikipedia entry on the History of Chinese immigration to Canada explains what life was like for Chinese immigrants in the section "Immigration for the Railway".
-The Chinese Canadian Culture Online Project presents information about Chinese Railroad workers
-Parks Canada posted an article commemorating Chinese Railroad workers lost during the construction of the railway
-This is the text of a speech made to the US House of Representatives in 1999 commemorating the lives of Chinese Railroad workers and their contributions to the building of the transcontinental railroad. There are also photos included.
-This is an excellent article that includes information about how much the Chinese workers were paid for their backbreaking labour. It also describes what happened to the workers after they died. Heavy stuff.
-Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian singer wrote the song, "The Canadian Railroad Triolgy". Read over the lyrics or listen to the song to help you out with some ideas.

You will be evaluated based on the following expectations:
-Point of view - you have done an excellent job "stepping into the shoes" of your writer and we can fully understand his or her opinion
-Information used - your letter or diary has lots of information based on fact
-Map included - you have included a map of where these people were living and/or working
-Link to three sites you used for information
-Vocabulary - you use appropriate vocabulary
-Creativity - your work is written in your own words and in a unique way

Here is what you are expected to learn:
-explore the Canadian Pacific Railway as a factor contributing to the settlement and development of western Canada
-use a variety of resources and tools to gather, process and communicate information
-identify some key individuals and groups whose efforts led to the railway's completion
-use a variety of sources to locate relevant information about the building of the railway
-analyze, synthesize and evaluate historical information
-describe and analyse conflicting points of view about a historical event
-use appropriate vocabulary to describe inquiries and observations

Grade 7s - Assignment #9: Loyalist Diary/Letter

Hello GRADE SEVEN buddies,

Check out your newest assignment. Mike has assigned it. It's super awesome. You get to write an imaginary diary entry or letter from the point of view of a Loyalist or a British North American meeting Loyalists for the first time during the American Revolution (1775-1783).

The details are on Mike's blog.

Some sources to start your search
-The Wikipedia entry on Loyalists (this includes information on where the settlements were and a list of well-known Loyalists)
-The Wikipedia entry on Black Loyalists
-Here is a major destination of early Loyalist refugees
-The Mysteries of Canada website has a good article on United Empire Loyalists
-The Wikipedia entry on United Empire Loyalists has a list of settlements and links to websites about them, as well as an explanation of why some people added UE to the end of their names.
-A short history of the UEL
-This short article discusses some of the immediate effects of the influx of UEL into Canada
-hand-drawn Loyalist maps - so cool!
-a list of real Loyalists - some inspiration for names, perhaps?
-this is an incredible list of real Loyalists and some information about each one - it is organized alphabetically
-here is what what given to every Loyalist who "fought for the Crown"
-this page has lots of links, I've already linked to some, but there are certainly more of interest

***Research, research, research BEFORE you start writing! There is so much interesting information, don't rush into the quickest bit, the writing. Find out loads of information first!***

You will be evaluated based on the following expectations:
-Point of view - you have done an excellent job "stepping into the shoes" of your writer and we can fully understand his or her opinion
-Information used - your letter or diary has lots of information based on fact, including the areas of settlement
-Map included - you have included a map of where these people were living
-Link to three sites you used for information
-Vocabulary - you use appropriate vocabulary ("The crown", "Loyalists", "Patriots", "Upper Canada", "Lower Canada"...)
-Creativity - your work is written in your own words and in a unique way

Here is what you are expected to learn:
-Explain the origins of English settlement in North America after the fall of New France
-Describe the migration and settlement experiences of various groups of settlers
-Use a variety of resources to gather, process and communicate information about the beginnings and development BNA
-Identify themes and personalities from the period
-Explain the historical impact of the American Revolution on the settlement of BNA
-Describe different groups of people who took part in the Loyalists' migration
-Analyze, synthesize and evaluate historical information
-Describe and analyze conflicting points of view about historical events
-communicate the results of inquiries for specific purposes and audiences
-use appropriate vocabulary to describe inquiries and observations

See how much you are learning!

Mike is Blogging

Hello pals,

Our hardworking Co-op student, Dr. Prof. Mr. Mike, has started a blog. You should read it. He will be posting assignments for you. Don't worry, I'll link to him when he does. In the meantime, though, read his posts (he's very funny) and feel free to comment. He is also giving a great example to you of what you can do with your own blog. You may write on it at any time, not just when responding to assignments.

Go blog-crazy!