Activity: Making an Impact

Teacher Notes

During this activity, students will research a Canadian through his or her speeches or interviews. Using primary and secondary research methods, students will "hear" the voices of Canadians who have had an impact on society.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• 45 minutes class time and/or homework time
• Internet or library access
• Student copies of Sheet 6: In My Words

WHAT TO DO

Make enough copies of Sheet 6: In My Words for all students, and
have them ready.

Brainstorm with your students about what issues are important to them (e.g., the environment, racism, global warming, violence, etc.). Ask students to choose one of these issues, then select a Canadian who is addressing this issue (past or present).

Tell students that they are going to create a poster which presents their choice, using an actual quotation from or about the famous person. Research resources can include Internet sites (the CBC's archives have many interviews with famous Canadians), newspaper or magazine articles, or biographies.

Visual images can be in collage form, hand-drawn, or computer-assisted. The images should be as compelling as possible.

Distribute Sheet 6: In My Words. Allow students class time, or assign the research for homework. When students have completed this task, display their posters in the classroom.

Some suggestions:

• The environment: David Suzuki, Elizabeth May, Bob Hunter,
  James B. Harkin, various politicians and Prime Ministers.
• Racial tolerance: Michaëlle Jean, Oscar Peterson, various musical artists.
• Child labour/children's issues: Craig Kielburger.
• Education: Arthur Lismer.
• Provincial personalities who relate to specific aspects of provincial curricula could include Louis Riel in Manitoba, Joey Smallwood in Newfoundland, and Sir James Douglas in British Columbia.

Alternate Activities

• Discuss with your students the possibility of presenting a Canadian who is affecting an issue in a way with which they disagree (e.g., a politician who promoted racial intolerance).
• If students have the technological expertise, have them create a PowerPoint presentation about their "spokesperson".