research

As part of our Canada Theme the students were involved in Canadian Research Projects. The Canada Projects allowed each child to pick a topic of study that interested them. The children then researched their topic as thoroughly as they chose. All media forms were welcomed. The children could do the Projects in class as well as at home. Below you will find the letter I wrote to the parents informing them about the details of the Project, as well as, a list of suggestions for the children to begin. Although some of the children chose the same areas of study, many of them wanted to explore their topics individually.

Their creativity was astounding!

Letter to Parents:

Dear Parents,

The children have completed picking goals and areas of study in which they are interested. Our class is interested in learning about CANADA!

Each child has selected a specific topic as their project. The children can use the internet, books, pictures and any other media to help them with their project. Once completed, the children will help set up their project in a specific location in our classroom. There are ten Canadian topics of study. Some children have chosen the same topic and may, therefore, pair-up if they so choose. They will then be given the opportunity to share with their classmates what they have learned. This can be presented in the form of drawings, pictures from magazines or the internet, books, painting, writing, photographs or even voice recorded text. The children will need your help! All of the children's information will then be collected and made into our very own book!

Everything we know about Canada!

The children will be learning invaluable age-appropriate research skills. All of the projects will be documented, photographed, and samples of the children's work will be scanned and placed on a Canada Web Page. I will need your help in capturing the different stages of the projects on camera. The children's work can be photographed freely, but any photographs of children must be taken in such a way that the child can not be identified.

Please keep in mind that your child's project can be simple or as detailed as they choose! Our project deadline is: February 8, 2002

Suggestions:

CLIMATE ~ Carlee, McKenzie

The children can paint or draw our four Canadian seasons. They can also find different pictures of our seasons on the computer or in a book. They may want to include a children's story about seasons. If they would like to go further with this project, they may want to learn about the different weather that we experience in Canada. Ask your child...Anything goes!

ANIMALS ~ Jonathan, Carlen, Teagan, Thomas

The children may want to learn about their favourite Canadian animal. Another simple option is to make a little story... " If I were a Canadian animal, I would be a ______." Your child will have reasons for wanting to be that animal. They will have fun drawing pictures or finding pictures of their favourite animal.

TRANSPORTATION ~ Jennifer

Jennifer may want to find pictures of different kinds of transportation that she has seen. She may want to draw or paint pictures. If she would like a challenge, she may want to use play-do to make the different modes. Leaving them out will allow them to harden and be painted. These are only options. She may explore this topic in any way.

AUTHORS ~ David, Won

Bedtime stories are always great for this! Your child may have a certain type of book that that he/she enjoys. The author of the Franklin series, Paulette Bourgeois, is but one example of a Canadian author. Your child may want to show examples of their favourite books written by Canadians. They can also show their friends a photograph of the author. Any other ideas are wonderful and welcomed!

OUR FLAG/PEACE/WHAT MAKES US CANADIAN ~ Michael, Jerica, Paul, Chloe

The children may want to bring or paint a picture or poster of our Canadian flag. Another idea may be making their won Canadian t-shirt. If your child has another idea as to what makes them Canadian...Great! Anything goes!

PLANTS ~ Jaclyn, Zoe

The children may want to find pictures, or paint pictures, of the different plant life that we have in Canada. They can use various materials to show the many examples.

MONEY ~ Bryar, Mikayla, Darcy, Zachary

The children can bring examples of Canadian money, paint pictures or perhaps find old Canadian money in a picture or book. Your child may be interested in learning the value of our dollar, or comparing our money to those from different cultures. Ask them!

A FAMOUS CANADIAN ~ Alex, Chad, Michael

The children can really have fun with this one! One approach is... "If I could be a famous Canadian person, who would I be?" Your child will have reasons for their selection. They can find pictures and talk about why they like this famous person.

FOOD ~ Brittany

Brittany could made a recipe book of her favourite Canadian foods. Another option is to draw pictures of her favourite foods, or the ones she know of. These are just examples.

WHAT CANADA LOOKS LIKE ~ Matthew

Matthew can take this one as far as he likes. He may want to show pictures of the different parts of Canada, or maybe he would like to show where Edmonton is in Canada. Matthew could find a map or pictures of Canada. Another example could be..." My favourite place in Canada is..." or " The places I have been in Canada are..."

Initially, we began our Canadian Research by webbing what we already knew about Canada. The children then chose their topic of interest.