NAMES: Linda Hoffman, Donalda Messer and Gloria Beecham
SUBJECT/GRADE: Gr. 3 - 6
CITY/PROVINCE: Crescent Valley, BC
YEARS TEACHING: Varies

Linda Hoffman, Donalda Messer and Gloria Beecham have created a learning resource for grades 3 to 6 designed to help teachers and students research the history of their community.

Their project, called Historical Connections, incorporates a variety of student activities designed to help students make connections between "then" and "now." The 300-page teachers’ guide is a rich resource of suggestions on how to use the many components that make up this extensive kit. The kit includes: a book of timelines, artifacts kit, suggestions for field trips, videotapes, picture files, lists of resource materials and integrated student research exercises.

The project places emphasis on integrated learning. Students study archaeology, music, fine arts, sports and recreation while learning about their local history. They also conduct video interviews with seniors in the community, build scale models, and participate in bi-regional mapping exercises. This extensive resource provides a wealth of knowledge and activities that students and teachers can apply in the classroom and in their communities.

Circulating through many classrooms in the district at all grade levels for the past three years, the project has earned high praise from the numerous teachers who have used it, particularly for its versatility.

In the words of the District Librarian: "These teachers have shared their enthusiasm for their community and history to their students and peers through workshops and by example. These are master teachers who have made a difference in our school district and in their communities."

NAME: Susan Anderson & Susan Earles
SUBJECT/GRADE: Grade 4-6
CITY/PROVINCE: Delta, BC
YEARS TEACHING: Varies

They also involved students in an in-depth archeological study of the beaches surrounding Tsawwassen and Point Roberts, two local landmarks.

NAME: David M. Smith
SUBJECT/GRADE: Secondary
CITY/PROVINCE: Red Deer, Alberta
YEARS TEACHING: 12

David M. Smith is a Social Studies teacher at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer, Alberta where he teaches Canadian and European history in both the regular and the International Baccalaureate programs. A colleague writes, 'Mr. Smith makes the history and its contents come alive for his students. He is so well informed about the topics he teaches that the lessons literally come to life for his students. The characters, events, perspectives and implications of our history are conveyed to students in a manner which allows them the opportunity to examine, explore and understand the implications, consequences and significance of the events under review.'

David Smith's focus for this project is Canadian history from pre-confederation to present. Research essays, position papers, in-class debates, mock parliamentary re-enactments, outside expert testimonials, directed reading, lectures and presentations are used to allow students to experience Canadian history to its fullest. Popular and unpopular vantage points are examined to allow students to witness history and to make up their own minds based on evidence presented. His lesson plans run the gamut from The Slippery Slope to Total War where students assume the roles of the six major European powers during the July Crisis of 1914; to an assignment on primary documents that has students review World War I documents including German dispatches from the war and the Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum to Serbia. Other primary document projects that David uses focus on events such as Confederation, The Founding of the CCF, and the King-Byng Affair. David has had students use technology to review the Massey Commission on-line, critically examining its purpose. David likes to invert the regular approach of starting with an effect and looking then at the causes. By studying history as a group of related causes with several possible effects, he believes that students get a better understanding of how history really works and the dilemmas and options experienced by the protagonists.

As part of David Smith's program, he has developed a Web page on World War I. It is a self -study unit, in which students master objectives as they navigate through the pages. David's site includes both text which he has written himself and hyperlinks to many other World War I sites. He is also a lead teacher for a project to develop a Canadian parliamentary web site. Through these and other projects, Dave Smith 'exemplifies the historical discipline and exhorts his students and colleagues to ever greater levels of understanding.'

David is a Council member of the Central Alberta Historical Society, has helped supervise the Annual Alberta International Baccalaureate History Colloquium and has published articles of original reset in historical journals.

NAME: Anne Gatha
SUBJECT/GRADE: Gr. 3 – 6
CITY: Calgary, AB
YEARS TEACHING: 11

Anne Gatha is an elementary school teacher at Mother Mary Greene School in Calgary, Alberta. She is a Music Specialist who has written several historical novels about three elementary students traveling back in time. She uses her novels as springboards to teach history, art and music. A colleague writes, "Through her work, students have consistently had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of historical events in ways that move beyond dates and places."

Anne’s project was initiated to invite elementary children into the world of historical figures in music. She says," Looking at the art, clothing and culture of the historical figure allows my students to appreciate more fully what their music is trying to say to us. Looking at the history of the period gives meaning to the music." In addition to reading the novel, there are lessons on the daily lives of the people, transportation, food, clothing, shelter, art and recreation.

For this project, Mrs. Gatha's book, Time Tunnel to Early Canada (Jean de Brebeuf), is used to explore the lives of the people of the first nations, missionaries, voyageurs and coureurs de bois of the 17th century. As well as the music and art components, there are considerable age-appropriate critical thinking and research opportunities. All her novels are in circulation in the school library and some are included in the borrowing program system wide. The school librarian writes, " It is wonderful to have Anne as our home author who has contributed to our student's love of reading."

NAME: Peter Bjornson
SUBJECT/GRADE: 9 - 12
CITY/PROVINCE: Gimli, MB
YEARS TEACHING: 10

Peter Bjornson teaches in a small prairie fishing village in Manitoba's inter-lake area. He has developed unique approaches to capture his students' interests including World Hunger Awareness Day events, mock elections, oral histories, and original lesson plans such as the analysis of rock music lyrics to explore political and historical themes. A proud advocate of our country's heritage, he incorporates a component of Canadian history into all courses that he teaches.

Using available resources, through a number of community partnerships, Peter has created a Library "Special Collections" Project. He started collections in Icelandic and Ukrainian Studies as well as Local Authors. These programs have expanded to incorporate Heritage Murals.

His unit "Creating a Local Archive" has students forming partnerships with the community newspaper to document important events and create an awareness of the importance of newspapers as an historical asset for local history study. The focus has expanded to include oral history recordings and microfilm resources.

His cross-curricular (and fun) approach to teaching is demonstrated in his lesson plan The Great Canadian Rock Tour where students incorporate history, geography, and music to map out their destinations as a touring rock band. Peter uses a variety of testing methods: open ended exam questions, re-do assignments, and assignments designed to assess higher order thinking.

Peter's Pageant Wagon project has involved four different classes in creating three-dimensional dioramas depicting local historic events. Over 80 students were involved in the projects which will be showcased in a local summer festival parade and set up on display in public buildings in the community.

Peter has designed a Multicultural Studies course for Grade 9, and piloted and acted as a resource person for the Grade 10 Skills for Independent Living course. Peter attended the CRB's Summer Institute, presented at Forum 2000, Building Democratic Villages, and will attend the Teachers' Institute for Parliamentary Democracy in November, 2000.

NAME: Robin Barker-James
SUBJECT/GRADE: Secondary
CITY/PROVINCE: Tillsonburg, Ont
YEARS TEACHING: 12

A graduate of Trent University, Robin Barker-James spent ten years working in Business before becoming a teacher at Glendale High School in Tillsonburg, ON, where he works today. His Canadian Studies courses focus on Canada at the turn of the century and how it grew to be recognized as the top nation in the world by the UN at the start of the new millenium. He has a multi-disciplinary approach to teaching. He works to promote the idea of remembrance of the world wars and Canada's vital role in them.

Key strategies used by Robin Barker-James in the teaching of Canadian history include the use of simulations and role plays. He encourages teachers to: "think of your classroom in terms of a giant theatrical set. For example, a walking tour of the facilities in the school can become a tour of the Titanic. Don't ignore community locations. I was offered the Woodstock courthouse for our Nuremberg trial simulation."

Some of the highlights listed by Robin Barker-James include turning his farm into a First World War battlefield for a weekend-long Trench Warfare simulation, creating a Boer War press conference, designing a primary documents exercise on the Halifax Explosion, transforming his classroom into both Steerage and First Class on the RMS Titanic. Recently, Barker-James made use of a week's leave of absence granted by the Thames Valley District School Board to further his understanding of the horrors of war by attending the ceremonies marking the 55th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. As a result of this visit he produced a video entitled Echoes of Remembrance, which has been made available to the secondary schools of his board. This in turn, led to the creation of the D-Day 2000 high school heritage field trip that saw 57 Canadian students, teachers, adults and veterans visit Canadian battle fields and historic sites in France and participate in D-Day parades and ceremonies. Next year the tour will be open to all interested Canadians.

NAME: Paul Follett
SUBJECT/GRADE: 10-OAC
CITY/PROVINCE: Lakefield, ON
YEARS TEACHING: 28 years

Paul Follett is a strong proponent of experiential learning. Inside the classroom and out, he exposes his students to visual, hands-on learning. His classroom is crammed with posters, W.W.II planes, memorabilia, dream catchers, and teaching devices. The displays change daily depending on current events and the subjects up for study. The displays spill into the hallway where Paul and his students have created a wall of significant history department and school moments. It includes pictures of field trips, Model UN classes, and other school activities.

NAME: Gary O'Dwyer
SUBJECT/GRADE: 9 - OAC
CITY: Cobourg, ON
YEARS TEACHING: 25 

As a teacher of History, Gary has brought the world to his Classroom. Through the Speaker's Forums organized by Gary, the students of St. Mary's have had the opportunity to meet with world leaders and discuss issues with them. The students are involved not only in the process of arranging the forums but spend countless hours in research so that they themselves are active participants." - - Margaret Godawa

NAME: Marc Keirstead
SUBJECT/GRADE: 6-OAC
PROVINCE: Newmarket, ON
YEARS TEACHING: 24

Marc Keirstead is a highly respected history teacher whose enthusiasm and mastery of Canadian History have made him both popular, and effective, in the classroom. His classroom is an innovative environment where students look forward to the unusual occurring on a daily basis. He develops programs that allow students to balance content comprehension with skill acquisition. For Marc Keirstead, history is a hands on, vibrant and challenging subject and his aim as a teacher is to demonstrate this.

One of the interesting projects that Mr. Keirstead has initiated is an Internet link with Takeoseiryo Senior School in Japan, for discussions on Canadian elections and World War II issues between inquisitive Canadian and Japanese students. On June 2nd, both his Canadian class, and their partner Japanese class voted on the same election! The highlight of the Internet project was a visit from the Japanese educators followed by thirty students and a return visit of teachers and students to Japan. The students of both schools continue to communicate and will be involved in joint projects this coming school year. His class has also contributed to a W.W.I website by submitting biographies of Arthur Currie and Billy Bishop. The class continues to contribute to this site.

Marc strives to create a riveting atmosphere in the classroom. This takes the form of dressing up in W.W.II costumes or bringing in artifacts for students to examine. He brings actors into school to enact the drama of Canadian history. His Learning Centres concept allows students to visit nine W.W.II activity centres based upon themes such as uniforms, battle sites and weapons. He has also involved his students and the local museum in creating history kits which include artifacts that can be analyzed.

A variety of teaching strategies - role plays, debates, films, music, art - are used to captivate student interest and reach a broad spectrum of learners. His class has developed their own constitution and then invited and received comments from the late Senator Eugene Forsey. Mr. Keirstead has held mock federal/provincial elections in the school with computer bulletin boards to other schools. He has also used field trips and guest speakers to engage his students. Guest speakers have included the Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, local veterans and Conrad Black.

Marc Keirstead volunteers to provide inservice to the staff at the school and the board on the Internet. He is a member of OHASSTA, and acts as both a consultant on role playing activities and evaluation & assessment strategies as well as giving curriculum presentations. Marc was involved in writing curriculum at the provincial level including the Catholic Profiles for the province.

NOM : Mario Mimeault
MATIÈRE : 4^e secondaire
VILLE/PROVINCE : Rivière-au-Renard (Québec)
ANNÉES D’EXPÉRIENCE : 31

Mario Mimeault a consacré sa vie à l’histoire. Avec ses nombreuses publications, ses projets d’informatique à caractère historique, ses fréquentes interventions à la radio et à la télévision, de même que ses distinctions, cet enseignant du secondaire pourrait assurément être désigné comme l’une des autorités canadiennes en matière d’histoire des pêches maritimes du Québec. Ses efforts pour monter une «banque de questions» pour la Commission scolaire régionale des Falaises (aujourd’hui des Chic-Chocs) et pour rendre les sujets historiques accessibles aux non initiés illustrent bien, en outre, son dévouement comme éducateur. Ses élèves de l’école Antoine-Roy, à Rivière-au-Renard, ne manquent pas d’exprimer leur appréciation à l’effet d’avoir un enseignant aussi érudit et dévoué.

Mario Mimeault a une profonde compréhension de l’histoire. Chercheur engagé, il a obtenu son diplôme de maîtrise en histoire à l’Université Laval en 1988. Il a fait paraître ses travaux dans des ouvrages prestigieux, tels que le Dictionnaire biographique du Canada et Encyclopedia of Canada’s Peoples, ou dans des revues savantes comme Acadiensis, Social History / Histoire sociale et la Revue d’histoire de l’Amérique française. Et ceci, sans compter ses nombreux articles publiés dans des revues de vulgarisation ou ses conférences prononcées tant au Québec qu’à l’extérieur de sa province.

Par-dessus tout, Mario Mimeault est convaincu que l’histoire est la science la plus vivante qui soit et il a toujours tenté d’inculquer cette idée à ses élèves. Il éveille ses étudiants à l’influence que peuvent avoir les nouvelles découvertes et les développements qu’elles entraînent sur la perception du fait historique. En tirant parti de son grand talent de narrateur et de son charisme, il leur fait comprendre que l’histoire «nous apprend le sens de ce que l'on fait souvent». Pour Mario Mimeault et ses élèves, l’histoire n’est pas une matière figée ou abstraite. De fait, Mario Mimeault utilise l’informatique dans son enseignement à la fois pour initier ses élèves aux nouvelles technologies des communications et pour leur assurer une meilleure compréhension du passé.

Élèves, parents et collègues, tous s’accordent pour dire que l’engagement de M. Mimeault à faire connaître l’histoire d’une manière significative et intéressante a eu des effets bénéfiques sur leur vie respective. Dans leur lettre d’appui à la candidature de M. Mimeault, les membres du conseil étudiant ont écrit : «(il) sait capter notre attention au plus haut point. (…) Bref, nous voulons vous expliquer que M. Mario Mimeault fait plus que nous apprendre l’histoire; il fait en sorte que nous la comprenions.»

ENGLISH VERSION

Mario Mimeault has made history his life's work. This high school teacher, with his numerous publications, history-themed computer projects, frequent radio & TV collaborations and distinctions, could most certainly be called one of Canada's authorities on the history of fishing in Quebec and the Maritimes. Furthermore, by compiling a "banque de questions" for the "Commission scolaire régionale des Falaises" (now Chic-Chocs) and by making historical subjects accessible to the non-historian, he illustrates his dedication as an educator. His students at "ƒcole Antoine-Roy de Rivière-au-Renard express their appreciation of being instructed by such a committed and erudite educator.

NAMES: Dianna Alain, Sandra Bamford, Rae Horsman & Linda Mowbray
SUBJECT/GRADE: 5/6 French Imm
CITY: Lutes Mountain, NB
YEARS TEACHING: Varies

Dynamic teachers Dianna Alain, Sandra Bamford, Rae Horsman and Linda Mowbray have collaboratively staged a huge transformation in the teaching of Canadian History at Magnetic Hill School. Together with their four classes of 100 students in both English and French Immersion, they have formed The Orange Team. The mission of this student/teacher team is to find a common Canadian identity by fostering a sincere interest in Canada’s historical, current and future character.

Early Explorers of Canada, North American Native People, Pioneers, Canada: Building a Nation, Changes and Kids Caring About Canada, are all interdisciplinary units that have been implemented to make history relevant, exciting and a source of pride in Canada. In the Early Canadian units, students learn about Native peoples and Early Settlers of New Brunswick through hands-on activities like knitting, quilting, cooking, costume making and re-enacting scenes of significant historical moments. A Heritage Fair is held annually to give individual team members a chance to flaunt their unique talents developed as they assumed native or pioneer identities from the past. The Changes unit aims to bridge the gap between then and now through comparative studies of technology, communications, transportation and textiles from the nineteenth century until today. Horse-drawn carriages, women in corsets and printing presses are compared to Jeep Cherokees, women clad in Nike gear carrying laptop computers. Phenomenal developments of the past are planted in today’s familiar ground, so students can find personal meaning in the evolution of their history. In the Kids Caring About Canada unit, students familiarize themselves with famous Canadian artists such as the Group of Seven, imitating their work to get a sense of the geography and the style that inspired them as they transformed Canada’s pristine landscape into history on canvas. Guest speakers include the former Governor General Roméo LeBlanc; members of Parliament; Premier of New Brunswick, Bernard Lord; Canadian flag creator, George Stanley; as well as local historians.

NAMES: Anne Marie Duguay & Sandra Mitchell
SUBJECT/GRADE: 8
CITY/PROVINCE: Rothesay, NB
YEARS TEACHING: 16-20

Over the past three years, Anne Marie Duguay and Sandra Mitchell have created a year-long original study unit, Reaching into Our Past (1837 to the present). Reaching into Our Past is a multimedia study of Saint John in the 1800's that explores the culture, geography and lifestyles of that era.

Reaching into Our Past is an interdisciplinary approach to learning and encompasses language arts, technology, social studies, art, and French. Student work takes the form of diary entries, web pages, stories, letters, the creation of a Loyalist Cafe, visual displays, research assignments, T-shirt designs, video editing, poems, novel studies and biographies. Anne Marie and Sandra's students are often found interviewing locals, taking pictures, shooting video, and touring local places and historical sites. Field trips are arranged to visit historical sites in Saint John. Students visit the New Brunswick Museum, Martello Tower, the Jewish Historical Museum and the Loyalist House as well as local businesses. Scavenger hunts are part of the visit to Trinity Royal.

Historical novels are integrated into the unit. Students are expected to produce several projects demonstrating critical thinking, synthesis and understanding of written works.

Anne Marie and Sandra's students are also involved in Heritage Projects. Students create a biography of a person whose lifestyle, accomplishments, interests or career goals contributed to Canadian Heritage. These biographies, along with student projects were added to the school's web site.

Students exhibited this unit at the 1999 National Heritage Fair in Edmonton, Alberta. Anne Marie and Sandra presented the Unit at two Middle Level Institutes hosted at Mt. Allison University, the provincial Dare To Explore Enrichment Conference, and Harry Miller Middle School was a recipient of the District 6 & 8, 2000 Crystal Apple Award based on this Unit. Currently, Anne Marie and Sandra are helping to develop a new Grade 7 and 9 Social Studies curriculum for the Atlantic Provinces.