The Bostonians Paying the Excise Man (1774): Grade 7A

*** Historical Significance

In the days before radio, television or the internet, political leaders and opinion-makers used drawings to shape public perception of events.

1) What is the historical significance (people, places, events) of this painting by Phillip Dawe?

2) What evidence can you find in the painting to support your claims?

3) What is the artist trying to say with this painting? What is his message?

4) What techniques does the artist use to help persuade his audience?

5) How effective is this painting?


*** Please respond to each of these five questions in the "Comments" section of this blog. Remember to use complete sentences in your responses and please check your work prior to posting it online. Have fun!

The Bostonians Paying the Excise Man (1774): Grade 7B

*** Historical Significance

In the days before radio, television or the internet, political leaders and opinion-makers used drawings to shape public perception of events.

1) What is the historical significance (people, places, events) of this painting by Phillip Dawe?

2) What evidence can you find in the painting to support your claims?

3) What is the artist trying to say with this painting? What is his message?

4) What techniques does the artist use to help persuade his audience?

5) How effective is this painting?


*** Please respond to each of these five questions in the "Comments" section of this blog. Remember to use complete sentences in your responses and please check your work prior to posting it online. Have fun!

British North America: An Overview

This term, the students of grade 7 will examine where and why colonists settled in British North America after the fall of New France, focusing on the American Revolution as a catalyst for the migration of the Loyalist, the Iroquois, and others. They will also examine the causes, events, and results of the War of 1812, including its influence on Canadian-American relations. Students will use inquiry/research and communication skills to explore how personalities and events shaped the new British colonies.

Evaluation:

1) Midterm Test: 20%
2) Weekly Assessment Tools: 15%
3) Online Responses: 15%
4) Political Cartoon: 10%
5) Unit Project: 20%
6) Unit Test: 20%

*** Have a great trip!

A Time for Celebration!

Hello all,

Well, I've spent the morning marking your tests and I'm quite pleased with many of the results. Perhaps we need to erect a Maypole on the property at SFA and all dance around it in honour of the habitants. I'll leave the class averages at the bottom of this posting. Please be sure to prepare for the upcoming in-class essay this weekend. Review the proper procedures for exposition writing below. Remember, I'm looking for a basic argument that is supported by relevant historical detail. One idea might be to try and follow the five paragraph essay format.

Paragraph 1: Introduce your topic and identify the main idea (thesis). You can also discuss the major supporting details at this point (choose three).

Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4: In each of these paragraphs, provide sufficient evidence which helps support your central thesis (main point). Each paragraph should be a major supporting detail which helps strengthen your central claim.

Paragraph 5: This is your summary paragraph. Be sure to restate your main idea and major supporting details. Also, effective summary paragraphs can make references to the "flip" or counter side of an argument. For example, if you were writing an essay on Montcalm being a more effective leader than Wolfe, you may want to identify some of Wolfe's attributes as well.

Check out these websites for more assistance with writing your papers. The first site guides you through writing a five paragraph essay and the second one provides a sample essay.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/five_par.htm

http://www.taft.cc.ca.us/newTC/Academic/LiberalArts/Owl/SAMPFIVE.HTML

Have a good weekend,

Mr. Linklater

Test Results:

Grade 7A (L) Test Average: 71%

Grade 7B (M) Test Average: 59%

*** Obviously, I'm a little more impressed with the results from 7A. Let's try and balance out these scores in the future.

Essay Response Questions

In-Class Essay Response Questions

*** On Wednesday, November 12, 2008 the Grade 7 students at SFA will be asked to respond to one of the following questions during our regular classroom time period. Your responses should follow the proper format for exposition writing and present a clear and logical argument that is supported with sufficient evidence. Students are encouraged to research their responses prior to Wednesday and are welcome to use any and all resources (e.g., texts, notes, etc.) during the aforementioned class period.

Essay topics:

1) In the summer of 2008, the citizens of Quebec celebrated the 400th anniversary of its founding. Imagine Samuel de Champlain, "The Father of New France", was alive today. Do you think he would be satisfied with the development of this colony throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and into modern times?

2) Both the Marquis de Montcalm and James Wolfe are remembered as heroes and tragic figures of the Seven Years' War in North America. In your estimation, which of these men was the more effective leader? Be sure to support your claims with relevant historical evidence.

3) At the end of the Seven Years' War, the colony of New France was surrendered by France to the British. Do you think that this colony should be considered a success or failure?

4) Why did war break out in North America between the French and the British?

5) Many historians believe that the Battle of the Plains of Abraham is the defining moment in the history of Canada. Is this battle worthy of such claims? Provide evidence to support your stance.

6) Implicit within the element of conflict is the opportunity for change. Do you agree or disagree? Respond to this question by making specific references to the Seven Years' War in North America and the changes that took place as a result.

A Gentle Reminder

Hello all,

Please remember that your Grade 7 New France unit test will take place on Friday, November 7 in the afternoon. Be sure to review both your notes and chapters 3 & 4 in your Close-Up Canada textbook.

The review sheet that was handed out in class should serve as an excellent guide for all students while studying/preparing for the test. Be sure to submit your review sheet prior to the test on Friday. The sheet must include an indication of the number of minutes you spent studying/preparing for this test as well as a parent/guardian signature.

Good luck!

Unit 1: New France

In studying the large area of North America called New France during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the students will investigate the roots and culture of the French communities; examine the character of daily life in the colony; and determine what changes resulted from the interaction of New France with other communities.

Evaluation:

1) Midterm (20%)
2) Weekly Assesment Tools (20%)
3) New France Model Assignment (20%)
4) Written Report (20%)
5) Unit Test (20%)

*** Note: At the beginning of each week, an in-class assessment piece will be assigned to the students. This assessment device may take the form of a quiz, written response, group task, presentation, etc. Each of these assessment tools will be averaged at the end of the term to calculate this percentage of the total mark.