BC Heritage Fairs Society Newsletter

BC Heritage Fairs Society - Newsletter (December 2012)
Click HERE.

In this issue:

• Chinook Klismas
• Victoria Pioneer Rifle
• Canada's History Website
• Lieutenant Governor renews ties to BCHFS

 

Resource: Chinese Canadian Stories

Are your students researching topics related to the history of Chinese in North America? 

Chinese Canadian Stories is a project that promotes the history of Chinese in North America.  

 

One of the main objectives is promotion of Grade 5-12 classroom use of both the trilingual portal website (http://ccs.library.ubc.ca) and the digital materials through the creation of learning resources and teaching materials that will use CHRP created materials (http://www.chinesecanadian.ubc.ca), embedding the material within a rethinking of the role of Chinese and First Nations peoples in the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway and in building Canada. 

 

Here are some of the neat things to check out:

• Stories: Who was the famous "China Clipper" and other engaging research questions (and answers). These would make fascinating Heritage Fair projects!
• Gold Mountain Quest: A video game that enables players to experience life as a Chinese Canadian youth in 1910, and explore historically accurate culture in the fictional town of Gold Mountain.
• History Docs: History Docs is a searchable collection of carefully selected sets of primary and secondary source documents for use as information sources about peoples, places, things and events in Canadian history. 

Project ideas + resources from ActiveHistory.ca

ActiveHistory.ca is a website that connects the work of historians with the public, policy makers and the media. Lucky for us, it also offers great suggestions for Heritage Fair project ideas and resources.

"We define active history variously as history that listens and is responsive; history that will make a tangible difference in people’s lives; history that makes an intervention and is transformative to both practitioners and communities. We seek a practice of history that emphasizes collegiality, builds community among active historians and other members of communities, and recognizes the public responsibilities of the historian."

For example, the most recent post is titled "Remembering the War of 1914". A few of the questions the author raises would make fascinating Heritage Fair projects:

• Was it a wasteful and fruitless effort that left millions dead and resolved little? 
• Or was it “a forgotten victory” and a necessary effort to halt German aggression? 
• Did anyone win the war or were there simply different degrees of losers? 
• Was all the death necessary or did the aristocratic generals carelessly throw away hundreds of thousands of lives in their battles of attrition? 
• Was the victory at Vimy Ridge really the ultimate birth of our nation (nudging out 1812 and 1867)?

These topics are particularly useful for students who hope to win the new War of 1812 and More Award.

Forgotten Wars: 1812 and More

Forgotten Wars: 1812 and More is a curriculum resource for students and teachers doing Heritage Fair projects on war and peace in Central Canada and BC. Why should you check it out?

1. There is a NEW! War of 1812 and More Award for Heritage Fair 2013. 
2. It's the 200 year anniversary of the War of 1812, and there are a LOT of resources out there, including a War of 1812 Exhibit @ Canada Place. Visit their website HERE for more information.
3. Aside from the War of 1812, there are other unique, creative and engaging project ideas centred on BC's history -- such as the Fraser Canyon War and Pig War -- and everyone loves a good story!

The complete resource will be available soon, but for now, here is a sneak peak:
Part 1 Introduction - Forgotten Wars 
Part 2 Resources - Forgotten Wars

Contest - Become a Historical Thinking Blogger

From the Historical Thinking Project

The Historical Thinking Project has been working with teachers across the country to explore the many ways that historical thinking can be integrated into History and Social Studies classrooms (including Heritage Fairs!). Teachers are eager to make the changes necessary to transform their classrooms, but getting started can be a bit daunting. You can help by walking us through the steps you've taken to work with historical thinking concepts in your classroom. 

Send a sample Blog entry of no longer than one page. Your entry should reflect your personal style, but should include a statement of what you wanted to do in your course that day/week, what you did, and a short reflection on how it went. (See Risa Gluskin's Blog on the HT Project site for an example, www.historicalthinking.ca).

If you become our new Blog writer, you will receive a set of classroom posters, a copy of the new PD resource The Big Six: Historical Thinking Concepts, and an honorarium for each entry you write. Plus, the fame and glory that comes with being a writer :)

Entries should be sent to Jill Colyer (jillcolyer@rogers.com), national coordinator of The Historical Thinking Project, by November 30, 2012.

A topic of personal relevance

Some of the most powerful and engaging Heritage Fair projects have had a personal connection to the student. For example, one student's discovery of his family's immigration story inspired him to research the Underground Railroad.

In 2012, one participant's work in the film industry inspired him to research "Hollywood North". Check out his blog here: http://michaelstrusievici.wordpress.com/news/

Chicago's History Fairs

Just came across some AMAZING resources created by Chicago Metro History Education Centre, who have "History Fairs" that are very similar to our Heritage Fairs. 

Have a look especially at their downloadable Teaching Resources, which includes super useful Powerpoint presentations on "Becoming a Historian", the "History Fair Research Journey", and "Exhibiting History".

If you are doing Heritage Fairs with your class, these are MUST HAVE resources.

When to get started?

A popular question from teachers is: "When should our class get started?"

We suggest you introduce Heritage Fairs in late December or early January. If in late December, students can start thinking about their project over the winter break. But early January can also work as a fresh start to a new unit.

Either way, students should be finished their Heritage Fair project by the end of Spring Break, hold your mini Class or School Heritage Fairs in early April, so that you have plenty of time to select those outstanding projects to send to the Regional Heritage Fair.

Have a look at the Regional Fair section of the Teacher's Guide for a detailed timeline and deadlines.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to another exciting year of Heritage Fair! As you can see, we have created this website to provide easy access to information, pictures, and news about the Richmond Delta Regional Heritage Fair. Hope you find it useful - and check back often!