Overview of Website:
The Historica Minutes website is a Canadian website which offers a wide variety of short video clips that discuss aspects of our nation's history. To supplement these clips, there are activity guides and lesson ideas that can be accessed by either teachers or students. I really like this website because it is a Canadian resource - something that is not that easy to find on the web!
How Would I Use This in My Classroom?
During a previous blog entry, I have made reference to a Language Arts unit on the Underground Railroad for Grade 7 students. I would use the Historica Minutes website to supplement this study. Specifically, I would have students view the "Underground Railroad" video clip which depicts American slaves arriving in Canada and some of the immediate challenges that they faced upon arrival, such as "slave catchers". The video clip is full of emotion and I think that this could help create a "hook" to catch students' interest. I would have students view this clip as the first activity in the study of the Underground Railroad. I would then have students read the accompanying text explaining a little bit about what the underground railroad was - to give them a little background. Students would then complete the accompanying activity in groups. They would be required to consider the feelings/emotions of the characters in the clip, and try to imagine what it would be like to be in this position. Students would then create an "emotion web" in which they describe the feelings of the characters in the video clip using words, phrases, colors, pictures, etc. Following this activity, students would begin the activities outlined in the previous underground railroad blog posting, and then begin the novel study on "Underground to Canada". Following the completion of this novel, students would relate the underground railroad to the current situation of refugees who arrive in Canada today.
Curriculum Connections:
Grade 7: English Language Arts
Unit: Finding the Courage
Benefits for Students:
As mentioned previously, this website is a Canadian resource which is awesome for students. The use of this video clip would provide an effective 'hook' for students and help to get them interested in a new topic. In addition, this website really provides TONS of other video clips on various topics, which could come in handy in many different situations.
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