We will be discussing different forms of entertainment during the 1930s and how these pastimes were a reflection of the time period.  We will be using the two movies below as conversation starters.

We will be then looking at modern music that we are listening now, and analyzing how it is a reflection of the morals, attitudes and social norms from the present.  Please download these 3 handouts (intro, organizer, rubric).

Today and tomorrow (when I am away on a field trip) you will be watching "Of Mice and Men", which is the adaptation of a book by John Steinbeck of the same name.  While about the American experience during the Great Depression, it does give you a glimpse into the similar experiences Canadians dealt with during that time period (besides, the movies about Canada during this time period are very...uhm...uhm..."boring"...).

We are also going to be using the 1930s Scrapbooks, and working on our project for this 1/2 of the interwar years unit.

I will be away at a meeting today.  Please use the entire class to work on the project that we started on Friday.  I have attached detailed instructions and a rubric (the project will be due on Wednesday). Make sure that you do your research beforehand, so that you can truly understand your topic.  The 20s Scrapbooks are one good source to start with.  You will also need to fill out a pre-planning sheet before starting, so please take the time to truly think through your cartoon before starting.  What are the most important pieces of information that you want your audience to know?  What are the important visual clues that will help them reach this understanding?

The link to the website is http://www.bitstripsforschools.com   If you haven't already done so, please make sure that you make your avatar (it's a great way to practice with Bitstrips..and it's a lot of fun!)

Today you are going to have to be extremely motivated, as this is the only in class period you will have to complete your choice of the poster or the newspaper article (click on your choice to download the appropriate rubric).  

Don't forget that you also have to complete your scrapbook questions on the 20s before tomorrow's class as well.

I am away today (coaching the Reach for Top team in the Regional Playoffs).  You will have an on-call teacher, and you are to be on your best behaviour.

Today, I would like you to  (in order of importance)

1) finish any assignments you owe me (all of them are listed on the website, so download what you need and finish them up...this includes the letter home from the front, and the Passchendale questions).

2) finish the WWI scrapbook questions (questions are below..scrapbooks are at the front of the room...use them careful and return them back to the front at the end of the period).

3) touch up your trenches (remember the labels..)

Please make sure you are responsible students and leave the classroom in perfect order before leaving.  Since you are the last class of the day, please shut down all the computers.

This the last day you have to work on your trenches in class.  Any time you want to spend on finishing touches will be done on your own time.  The trenches will be evaluated on Friday at lunch.  Please make sure your best efforts and abilities are reflected in your work.

You have two more days to finish  your trenches.  Make sure you take your time and add as many historically correct elements as possible.  I have been impressed with the classroom cleanup at the end of each period, and expect the next two periods will have the same result.

Work with a partner to start to create your papier-mâché trenches.  You will need to make sure that your trench diarama includes all the components of the trenches (refer to the diagram in your notes), razor wire, sandbags, no-man's land, etc, etc).  The picture on the Smartboard should help you as well.

This can be a fun, but incredibly messy project.  Make sure you clean up as you go..as NOBODY will be allowed to leave the class until ALL MESS is dealt with and everything is returned to where it belongs.

Today's lecture will be on Weapons and Weapon development (and how they changed the nature of warfare).  We will also be using the WWI Scrapbooks to try and interpret primary sources.  The handout to guide our learning is attached here.


Please hand in your Passchendale Media Literacy answers and your Letter Home from the Front (on rolling papers).  Make sure you include the rubrics.

A shortened day is a busy day.  Today we will finish up Passchendale the movie, and once the rough drafts of our letters have been approved (and double checked for spelling and attention to details), we will transfer them over to the rolling papers.

Passchendale media literacy questions are due Friday (don't forget!)