Martian Museum
Activity
In this activity, Learners will analyse, study, and draw evidence-based conclusions about historic household tools and items. Learners will pretend they are Martians being presented with new objects for a museum about “Earthlings.” Unfortunately, the Martians who collected them could not get any information on the objects’ names or uses. It is now up to the Martian Learners to act as History Interpreters and, through careful guided analysis, to decide what they think the objects are, and what they were used for. Learners may work individually or in small groups, and will present their final analysis to the rest of the class for discussion. Teachers may also ask questions and challenge the learners on their ideas and encourage them to back up their claims with their observations and any evidence.
Oral History
Activity
In this activity, learners will become familiar with oral histories as a tool for historic research. They will learn how oral history interviews are conducted and consider the value and limits of oral histories. Learners will then create and conduct an oral history interview with an older person in their family or community, focusing on the narrators’ childhood. Learners will then transcribe their interview and write a reflection on their experience and what they learned, including an analysis of the differences between the narrators’ childhood experiences and their own.
This activity is divided into grade levels based on curriculum outcomes, with alternatives and variations suggested therein. Variations are included for the following Social Studies courses: African Canadian Studies, Mi’kmaw Studies, and Gaelic Studies.
