Our Community Then and Now

How and why has our community changed over time?

Synopsis

Many of the specific outcomes found under:

General Outcome 2.2, "A Community in the Past," may be addressed by inviting students to become "time-traveling detectives" looking for evidence of past- and present-day life in their own community.

Critical Challenges

Students might explore this overarching theme by completing these challenges:

Community History Detectives

Learn about the early days of their community by examining historical objects for the clues they offer about the past

Interpreting the Past

Explore changes in their community by analyzing and sequencing historical and contemporary photographs

Changes in the Community

Prepare a visual account of changes in their community and determine the biggest difference between past-and present-day life

A Visitor about the Past

Learn about their community's history by formulating powerful questions to ask of a classroom visitor who has first-hand knowledge of life in previous decades

Featuring Local Heroes

Research historical or contemporary individuals who have contributed to the growth of the community and present the story as a television report

Making a Difference

Learn to care for the community by planning and implementing an action to enhance their school or neighbourhood environment

Community History Time Capsule

As a culminating challenge, students might assemble or create artifacts or pictures representing key historical people, events and landmarks studied during the inquiry. These could then be assembled into a time capsule about their community's change and growth over time

Help Documents

Embedding Critical Thinking Into Teaching and Learning PDF
This document provides a definition of critical thinking, and discusses how to embed critical thinking into teaching and learning.

Definitions of Terms Used in Overarching Critical Inquiries
This document provides definitions of Overarching Critical Inquiry, Critical Challenge, Modelling the Tools, Support Material, Graphic Organizer, Assessment, and Background Information.

Meeting the Diverse Learning Needs of All Students PDF
This document provides suggestions to help teachers plan for diverse learning needs.

Reference Charts

The following charts provide a quick overview of correlations, references, and summaries for all the Critical Challenges. In the charts, the Critical Challenges are organized according to which Overarching Critical Inquiry they address.

Last updated: July 1, 2014 | (Revision History)
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