Canadian history is full of interesting and colourful stories, events, and characters. This is your chance to delve deeper into one.
Search a site such as YouTube for "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot. (for example, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgI8bta-7aw )
Listen to it a couple of time. Pay attention to the different characters’ voices that come through: e.g. Captain, cook, crew, narrator.
Think about how what it must have been like for the people on board the Edmund Fitzgerald. For those who had to look for them after the crash. For their families upon hearing the news.
Consider how Gordon Lightfoot heard a story that affected him so much that he felt compelled to write about it.
You have had an opportunity to think about the Edmund Fitzgerald. Now you get to apply your curiosity.
First: research an important or significant event from Canada’s history. If you have nothing in mind, a quick internet search of "Important Canadian Historical Events" will give you many ideas, or perhaps checking a site like www.histori.ca .
Second: prepare an informational display (Powerpoint, PhotoStory) about that event. Make sure to answer the 5 W’s of any event: Who? What? Where? When? Why is it important? 15-20 slides of the equivalent is a good guideline.
Third: write up an explanation of the images and information that you included in your informational display. Breaking it up by slide may be the easiest way.
Fourth: put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Write a poem in the voice of one of the participants about the event. Make sure that it is clear how that event is important.
