Our Government

Responses due on or before Monday, November 30, at 11:59 pm.

Three-part response this week:

1. In approximately 150 words, tell us what you know about how the government operates in both PEI (provincial) and Ottawa (federal) – particularly before our governmental discussions this week. 
2. In another 150 (or so) words, explain why you think young people are so uninterested in their federal and provincial governments and unengaged in the political process as a whole.
3. What can both levels of government do in order to get youth interested again?

Remember, responses are due on or before 11:59 pm on Monday, November 30.

 

 

Post-War Stories

Responses due on or before Monday, November 23 at 11:59 pm.

This week, we’ve been discussing post-war Canada as it enjoyed both an economic and cultural boom and also a bust (Great Depression). 

Your task this week is two-fold: 

1. Browse the Net and also Beaver Magazine to find (and read) some human interest stories from this era. 
2. In approximately 200 words each, briefly re-tell (in your own words) a ‘Roaring Twenties’ story and also a Great Depression (or ‘Dirty Thirties’) story.  Both stories should have a Canadian theme.

Again, responses due on or before 11:59 pm on Monday, November 23.

 

Canadian War Heroes

Responses to this discussion must be posted on or before Monday, November 9 at 11:59 pm.

Since we are studying Canada’s role in World War One, it seems only right to honor people who should be remembered for their service to this country in the First World War. That leads us to this week’s response:

• Research Canadian war heroes who have fought for this country in the Great War (World War One). Briefly relate the story of one chosen hero in this space (in your own words).  Please try to avoid repetition.

Responses to this discussion must be posted on or before Monday, November 9 by 11:59 pm.

 

In the News

Responses to this topic must be completed and submitted on or before Monday, November 2.

In keeping with our promise to be more knowledgeable about current news from home and around the world, your task today is to scour various news sites from Canada, the United States, and other countries around the globe.

Then, in a response, list and explain (in your own words) five news issues that you feel are important for us to know and to learn about.  Each explanation should be in the 50-100 word range.

Responses to this topic are due on or before Monday, November 2.

 

Open Forum Responses

Responses should be completed on or before Monday, November 2.

Please read the questions posed by your classmates in last week’s Open Forum discussion and respond to TWO questions with well-written and thoughtful responses.

When you have completed both responses, then tackle the discussion topic above (In the News).  It is also due by next Monday, November 2.

 

Open Forum Discussion

Part I of this post (the questions) is due by Monday, October 26.  Part II of this post (the answers) is due by Monday, November 2.

Each student’s post for the next two weeks must be posted under the Open Forum area of our site above.  There are two parts:

1. Each student must ask an opinion question dealing with Canadian culture, identity, politics, foreign policy, place in the world, the Canadian Olympics, etc.  Let’s not have any repetition in the questions and let’s leave frivolous questions aside. 
2. Using the Reply feature of each post, students must then reply to at least three questsions from classmates.  Make sure you leave your name in your reply.  If a particular question has received three or more replies, you must consider that question closed and answer something else.

To be clear, each student is responsible for the following in the Open Forum area of our site:

• One (or more if you wish) opinion question (hopefully, we’ll get some controversial questions too).  (October 26 deadline).
• A response to at least three questions from your classmates (using the Reply feature which accompanies each post).  (November 2 deadline)

Part I responses (questions) are due by Monday, October 26.  Part II responses (answers) are due by Monday, November 2.

 

Beaver Article Review

Maclean’s Article Review

Responses due by Monday, June 1, at 11:59 pm.

This week’s post is a double-weighted one (worth 8 points). Your task is relatively simple: Go to the website for Maclean’s Magazine (or pick up a magazine in the library or our classroom), find an article of interest, read it thoroughly, and compose an article review. The article must pertain to Canada or Canadians – and no fluff articles please. Since this week’s post is double-weighted, you may also double the maximum word count of 250 (making the new maximum count a cool 500 words). Don’t know how to compose an article review? Look at the following sites for assistance:

How to Write a Critical Article Review

Writing an Article Review

As always, responses to this discussion shall be due on or before Monday, June 1, by 11:59 pm.

The Beaver:  Canada’s History Magazine Article Review

Responses due by Monday, October 19, at 11:59 pm.

Canada has a national magazine dedicated to its history called The Beaver.  We are lucky to have several copies of  The Beaver in the library.  This week, your task is relatively simple:

• Go to the magazine racks and find an article of interest dealing with World War One;
• Read the article thoroughly, and compose an article review (no fluff articles please).
• Since this is all you have to work on this week, you may also double the maximum word count to 500 words).
• Don’t know how to compose an article review? Look at the following sites for assistance:
  • How to Write a Critical Article Review
  • Writing an Article Review

Please indicate the magazine’s issue, date, and the name of your chosen article when you compose your response.

Responses are due on or before Monday, October 19, by 11:59 pm.

 

Baptism by Fire

Responses due before 11:59 pm on Monday, October 12.

We have been studying the valuable role played by the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War One from 1914-1916.  Your task this week is to discover additional – and interesting – information (other than what you have been exposed to in class). 

For each of the following events, please do some reading/research and provide some DID YOU KNOW facts (at least one fact per battle, but more if you find more):

1. Training at Salisbury Plain
2. The Second Battle of Ypres
3. The Battle of the Somme and/or the Battle at Beaumont-Hamel

Don’t hesitate to include websites as reference.  Also, try to read the responses of your classmates before replying so we can avoid repetition.

As usual, responses are due before 11:59 pm on Monday, October 12.

 

Examining Primary Sources

Responses due by 11:59 pm on Monday, October 5.

Primary sources are original records created at the time historical events occurred (or well after events in the form of memoirs and oral histories). Primary sources may include letters, manuscripts, diaries, journals, newspapers, speeches, interviews, memoirs, documents produced by government agencies such as Parliament or the Office of the Prime Minister, photographs, audio recordings, moving pictures or video recordings, research data, and objects or artifacts such as works of art or ancient roads, buildings, tools, and weapons.

These sources serve as the raw material to interpret the past, and when they are used along with previous interpretations by historians, they provide the resources necessary for historical research.

This week’s task demands that you find a primary source dealing with Canada and World War One.  It could be a diary (lots of these online), a letter from a soldier, a memoir, a newspaper article, interview, etc.  Your task will be to discover a valid World War One primary source and analyse/comment about its significance to you as a researcher and to Canadians in general.  Make sure to provide the link to the Internet site you use in your post.

As always, responses are due by 11:59 pm on Monday, October 5.

 

Thoughts on War

Responses expected by 11:59 pm on Monday, September 28.

We are about to embark on our study of World War One and this week’s questions will coincide nicely with this study. They are designed to make you think, but when you take the time to sit and ponder, I think you’ll come up with some interesting responses.

1. Is war ever a justifiable means of settling global conflicts (think past and present)?
2. Ernest Hemingway said: Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.  First of all, what did he mean and, secondly, do you agree/disagree with his opinion?
3. Discover a quote that best exemplifies your own opinions/notions about war/conflict. After posting your quote, explain how it illustrates your own personal viewpoint. Here’s a few to get you started:

Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent. (Isaac Asimov)

When liberty comes with hands dabbled in blood it is hard to shake hands with her. (Oscar Wilde)

Responses should be posted by 11:59 pm on Monday, September 28.