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Educational Resources - Dorothea Mitchell's Writings
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Lesson 5

LESSON 1 – INTRODUCTION / WEBQUEST

In Lesson One, students will be introduced to the Lady Lumberjack website and the person of Dorothea Mitchell through the review of a biographical online filmstrip and a Web quest.



Expectations

  • Describe information, ideas, opinions and themes in print and electronic texts they have read during the year from different cultures and historical periods and in a range of genres
  • Select and use a variety of reading strategies before, during and after reading to understand texts *
  • Use relevant, significant and explicit information and ideas from texts to support interpretations *
  • Explain how historical or cultural contexts shape the information and ideas in a text
  • Use knowledge of elements of the novel and cultural and historical context of a novel to understand and interpret examples of the genre
  • Explain how authors use stylistic devices, and design elements to help communicate ideas *
  • communicate orally in group discussions for different purposes, with a focus on identifying explicit and implicit ideas and comparing and contrasting key concepts and supporting details; *
  • identify key elements and techniques used to create media works in a variety of forms and analyse how these elements and techniques contribute to the theme or message *
  • apply techniques of effective listening and demonstrate an understanding of oral presentations by summarizing presenters’ arguments and explaining how vocabulary, body language, tone, and visual aids *
  • communicate orally in group discussions for different purposes, with a focus on identifying explicit and implicit ideas and comparing and contrasting key concepts and supporting details; *
  • communicate in group discussions by assigning tasks fairly and equitably; using verbal and non-verbal cues to signal a change in topic or speaker; contributing ideas, supporting interpretations and viewpoints; *
  • extending and questioning the ideas of others; summarizing the progress of the group’s work; checking for understanding; and negotiating consensus when appropriate; *

    Instructional Methodologies

    Part A

    1. In the computer lab, divide the students into pairs to complete the activity.

    2. Distribute the Web Quest pages; students will work together to complete the assignment.

    3. After 20 minutes, correct the Web Quest Part A as a large group.

    Part B

    1. Ask students in pairs to generate 2-4 questions they would like to know more about based on the filmstrip. They may want to find out more about Dorothea Mitchell, life in Thunder Bay during the 1920’s, or silent film.

    2. By questioning and prompting students with points from the filmstrip, ensure that the following topics are assigned:
    · historical context (Canada in the 1900’s, immigration, history of Thunder Bay)
    · role of women in 1900 as pioneers
    · homesteading in Canada
    · industry
    · history of silent film in Canada

    3. Assign each pair of students a topic or question for exploration from Part B. Students will have 20-30 minutes to search for information online, complete their assignment and prepare a graphic organizer for use during an oral presentation to the class. Students will have to cite at least 3 sources.

    Warning: Some of the movie websites have information that is mature in content; you may want to direct students to specific sites.

    Pacing/Time Management

    20 min. Dorothea Mitchell Web Quest Part A
    10 min. Class completion of Web Quest.
    40 min. Dorothea Mitchell Web Quest Part B
    5 min. Students complete research and make plans to organize and report for next class.

    Total: 75 minutes


    Assessment/Evaluation tactics

    Part A - (Summative) Unit Test
    Part B - (Summative) Web Quest Report and Graphic Organizer – see Rubric in Appendix.

    Resources/Aids

    1 computer with Internet access for each pair of students.

    Access to website: http://www.ladylumberjack.ca/home.html
    Access to search engine (school-approved) and other historical and silent film websites.


    Lady Lumberjack Web Quest

    Part A

    Name ____________________

    Go to http://www.ladylumberjack.ca

    From the homepage, select Dorothea Mitchell Biography.

    Read through the text and view the Lady Lumberjack filmstrip. Complete the following questions.

    1. Why did Dorothea Mitchell come to Canada? To Silver Mountain? To Thunder Bay?

     

    2. List Dorothea Mitchell’s careers or jobs.

     

    3. What technologies were available to Dorothea during her lifetime?

     

    4. Dorothea Mitchell was a pioneer in many ways. List some of the “firsts” that she had:

     

    5. What were some of the difficulties she faced during her life as a pioneer?

     

    6. Consider Dorothea Mitchell’s life as a woman homesteader, lumberboss and businesswoman in the 1920’s and 30’s. Who were her workers and helpers?

     

    7. What economic and historical events affected Dorothea’s work and success?

     

    8. What did Dorothea consider to be major accomplishments in her life?

     

    9. How are historical facts, original photos and drawings incorporated into the filmstrip?


    Lady Lumberjack Web Quest

    Part B

    My Topics for Exploration:

     

     

     

    Suggested Websites:

    The Lady Lumberjack Website:
    1. The Port Arthur Amateur Cinema Society
    2. The Fatal Flower Project
    3. A Race for Ties
    4. Silent Film

    Other related websites:

    Brief History of Thunder Bay, focusing on post-1900’s.
    http://www.thunderbay.ca/index.cfm?fuse=html&pg=313

    Mary Pickford, Canadian Silent Film Actress
    http://archives.cbc.ca/400d.asp?id=1-68-656-3653-10

    History of Film in Canada/Canadian Filmmaking
    http://www.mta.ca/faculty/arts/canadian_studies/english/about/movies/

    Web Search Engines:

    www.google.ca
    www.alltheweb.ca
    www.altavista.ca

  • Specific Expectations
    Possible Adaptation for Special-Needs Pupils
    Assessment
    Resources / Aids
    Lessons

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