Why I stopped posting

This blog experiment has run its course, as I have moved on to other interests. I realized that blogging just to hear myself talk has little interest for me, although it does motivate me to organize my own material and thoughts. So unless it can generate either good collaboration or small revenue, then it isn't really worthwhile in this format. But I did learn how to use blogger, the amazon affiliate program, and revived my interest in some topics. Maybe it will come back in a different format at some point. I have also experimented with a different blog on wordpress, and so may try to launch a better site for teaching Socials 10 in the future. If you stumble across this site and have any suggestions for a better format, leave a comment.

Quebec Tercentenary

The stamps from my album pictured here (catalogue values of $7) is part of a series of eight stamps (catalogue numbers 96-103) that I plan to post separately. These are the first really interesting set of commemorative stamps that Canada issued, and are very valuable, at least in mint condition. 


These stamps are referred to as the "Quebec Tecentenary" issue (the 300th anniversary of Quebec). In French, that translates as "IIIe centenaire de Quebec": I say, translates, because the whole idea for the celebration was an English one. The Governor General at the time, an Englishman named Earl Grey, decided that a celebration of Quebec would help bring the nation together. Prime Minister Laurier was always interested in encouraging compromise between English and French and was convinced to give his support to the idea.


The first stamp in the series is of the Prince and Princess of Wales (future King George V and his wife). Why are they on the first stamp to celebrate the 300th birthday of Quebec? Well, because they were making a Royal visit to Canada at the time and the celebration was programmed around their schedule. 


Of course, everyone in Quebec loved this... the British monarchy being the main attraction at a supposed celebration of Quebec. Probably wouldn't have happened if Quebec planned it... Do you think this succeeded in promoting national unity?

Myth Perceptions

In Socials 10, we spend some time talking about stereotype and caricature as it applies to First Nations people in Canadian history.

I came across this website today that has some simple resources on the topic. Created by the MCC (mennonite central committee), the website is about deconstructing myths about First Nations people. There are some usable clips that one could use to generate discussion.

Empire at War

ANSWERING THE CALL

"The whelps of the lion are joining their sire"

The Socials 10 course ends before World War I, but it is important for students to know what was coming up next. It makes some of the learning outcomes more relevant.. for example, why do the concepts of "colonialism" "Empire" "growing independence" matter? Because in 1914, Canadians would go to war for Britain. 

Interesting symbol choice in this political cartoon, which clearly supports Canada's responsibility to the Empire. The lion is used a symbol in many contexts, from King of the Jungle, to Lion of Judah, to the Royal Family, etc. But in this case, it is used as a symbol of the power (and goodness) of the British Empire. 

Many of the cartoons that I use in class were taken from this book by Charles Hou (former Socials 10 teacher in BC):

Great Canadian political cartoons, 1820 to 1914

Free the Children

 

I use this book and video in class when talking about current events, and highly recommend the book to students.


The story of Craig Kielburger is inspiring. He was just 12 years old when he started looking into the issues of Child Labour and decided to do something about it. He asked his Socials Studies class to help and got 11 people to join him, starting an organization called Free the Children. He now has another organization called "Me to We" that organizes We Day and encouraged youth to support social issues affecting other youth around the world. This is a must-read book to realize that youth can make a difference in our world.


Here is the amazon link:    Free the Children

Immigration

Immigration can be a fairly dull topic in Socials 10 if you stick to the textbook platitudes. Students are supposed to learn about why people were immigrating to the area in the 1800's and how our immigration policy was initially shaped when Canada became a country.

There are two ways to make this more interesting and relevant.
1) Personal immigration stories. When each person in the class shares about how their family immigrated to Canada, it makes for a greater appreciation for the event. I will do another post later about the project I do in class.
2) Curent events and debate. Immigration is always a current issue. In previous years, there have been stories of "boat people" or "disguised old men" to spark discussion of immigration. Currently, the Globe and Mail is running a series on the issue with some ideas for discussion. I haven't read through it all, but looks like there are some good discussion ideas.

I fund that students are generally unaware that Canada allows some immigrants and not others or why.. It generally sparks good classroom discussion.

Canada in 1815

The first unit in my Socials 10 course (after review) is called "Canada in 1815". 

The key questions for the unit are:

1)   What was Canada like in 1815? Who was here and what were they thinking and doing?

2)   What were the problems with government?

My lessons go like this: 

1) Economy in 1815

2) Government in 1815

3) Immigration in 1815

4) Big Ideas in 1815

5) First Nations Relations: 1815-1840

6) Rebellions of 1837-1838

7) Government in 1840

Of course, "Canada in 1815" wasn't quite the same Canada as today. We are just talking about Upper and Lower Canada, or the very southern portions of Ontario and Quebec. 

King Edward VII

The stamps from my album pictured here (catalogue values of $73, $0.35, $6, $5, $12) are part of a series of seven stamps (catalogue numbers 89-95). I am missing the 20 cent stamp that was issued in 1904 and the 50 cent stamp that was issued in 1908. 


Again, you will notice that the first stamp in this series is mounted in a black casing, meaning it is a mint stamp that has never been used. Of course this makes the stamp much more valuable, depending on the condition of the gum on the back. This stamp is MH, which means "mint hinged" since some dingbat put a hinge on the back to mount it in their album like it was a used stamp and wrecked the original gum on the stamp.


King Edward VII was crowned after Queen Victoria died in 1901 and was King until 1910. Queen Victoria has long been called the Emperor of India, but a phrase was added to Edward's official title: he was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India.  


King Edward VII had a largely uneventful reign, other than overseeing the end of the Boer War. He was King just after the time of the more well-known Prime Ministers Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone, and there appears to have been very little political tension during his reign. 


I wonder if he (or others) saw that this would be the height of the British Empire. Between the bad press of the Boer War and the building political tension that would lead to World War I, were there signs that not everything was well? 

Emigrant Sifter

HAND PICKED ONLY

JACK CANUCK: I want settlers, but will accept no culls

Clearly some people at the time (this cartoon was published in 1907) realized that there was something afoot with Canada's immigration policy. In this cartoon, you will notice Jack Canuck (a caricature of the stereotypical Canadian) sifting out emigrants (likely based on race).

Many of the cartoons that I use in class were taken from this book by Charles Hou (former Socials 10 teacher in BC):

Great Canadian political cartoons, 1820 to 1914

HMS Victory

In the summer of 2010, I was on a trip through Portsmouth, England, and went aboard the HMS Victory ship that is preserved as a museum. The Victory was flagship in the battle of Trafalgar, commanded by Lord Nelson.

 

Of course, the battle of Trafalgar (1805) was a pivotal point in the war between England and the combined powers of both Spain and France (Napoleon). 27 British ships defeated 33 French/Spanish ships in the battle due to the superior tactics of Lord Nelson. Nelson himself was wounded and died on the ship. 

This established Britain's supremacy on the sea once and for all, and enabled the expansion of the British Empire at the expense of both the French and Spanish. Shortly thereafter, the British defeated Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo. 

How does this relate to Socials 10? Britain's control of the ocean of course affected Canada, because it is always better to be on the winning team. For example, the US quickly decided that invading Canada in 1812 was a poor decision because it meant challenging Britain's naval power in the Atlantic.

Review Maps

Here are the maps that I use at the beginning of Socials 10 for review. Maps are the stereotypical socials activity that I try to avoid "all we did all year was colour maps", but find myself using more all the time. Maps provide a good visual, and a break from 'facts'. I found myself referring to places and events in Europe quite often in Socials 10 (plus in Socials 11, students will have to add to their understanding of European countries). 

I use this map (Map of Europe), and just have students label and colour the following places: Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, England, London, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Rome.

I then use this map (Map of Eastern Canada) as part of my review of early contact. The students label 

Landmarks: North America, South America, Hudson’s Bay, Atlantic Ocean, St. Laurence River, Newfoundland

First Nations: Cree, Obijwa, Huron,  Iroquois, Algonquin, Malecite, Mi'kmaq, Innu, Beothuk

Explorers: Jacques Cartier, Henry Hudson, Sir Walter Raleigh

Early Settlements: York, Jamestown, Montreal, Quebec City

If you have better map images, please let me know

British Empire

These stamps from my album pictured here (catalogue values of $11, $13) are the second commemoratives issued by Canada.The same stamp was issued with two different background colours (and several variations) for Christmas 1898. Since they were issed for Christmas, they are relatively common despite only being used for a short time.


These are also the first stamps after confederation (in 31 years) issued without a picture of Queen Victoria. The image highlights all of the countries in the British Empire and is titled: "We hold a vaster empire than has been". 


In Socials 10, we talk about the concept of "imperialism" (definition: Empire building) and the difference between the terms imperialism, colonialism, and mercantilism. Canada was a large part of this empire that peaked around this time.