III.2 Student Activities - Language Arts Activities
- Reading Comprehension
Purposes:
- The students will practice their reading comprehension through a variety of reading activities
- Students will read a variety of fiction and non-fiction material for a purpose
Grade Levels: Grades 4 - 8 (vary the complexity of the material to meet the needs of the students)
Materials:
- Reading materials (could include excerpts from magazine articles, newspaper articles, stories, or web articles)
- Dictionaries
- Teacher-generated questions created from the material that has been read in class
Method:
- Choose a variety of reading materials from a number of different sources (see suggestion above) Older students would benefit from reading newspaper articles that are current where younger students may find it easier to read from a story-like format
- Break students into small groups and provide appropriate reading material to each group. It may be appropriate to provide different material to each group, dependent on reading ability, interest levels, and availability of material
- Have students read the articles together and write down words or vocabulary that they are unsure of. Have students use a dictionary to find the meanings of the words
- Provide each group of students teacher generated questions on the articles or reading material
Evaluation:
- Responses on comprehension questions
- Group work
- Wise use of time
- Interview with the Prime Minister (Role Playing)
Purposes:
- Students will learn to use appropriate language
- Students will develop research skills and interview skills when role-playing an interview with a current or past Prime Minister
- Students will present information to a specific audience
Grade Levels: Grades 4 - 8 (some simplification may be required for the younger student)
Materials:
- List of the Prime Ministers of Canada (see resource list)
- Access to information on the Prime Ministers (Web sites, books, encyclopedia, reference books, magazines, journal, radio or television clips)
- Video camera, tape recorder (optional)
Method:
- Explain that students will work in pairs - one acting as the chosen Prime Minister and one acting as a television or radio reporter
- Students must generate a series of appropriate questions concerning the life and times of the Prime Minister they have chosen to
interview. The questions should include the five Ws - Who? What? When? Where? Why?
- Students must jointly research the chosen Prime Minister and find answers to the questions that they have generated
- Students practice the interview and present it to the class as if in a studio audience situation
- Optional: Students tape or video the interview for a more realistic interview situation
Evaluation:
- Rubric - Accuracy of information, oral questions and answers
- Peer evaluation of public speaking and presentation
- Wise use of time and group dynamics
- Dear Member of Parliament (Letter)
Purposes:
- Students will learn the parts of a well written letter
- Students will use appropriate conventions of language (i.e. spelling, punctuation, grammar)
- Students will write for a specific purpose (e.g. congratulations, explore an issue, concern, etc)
- Students will review issues that they believe are important for Canada as a whole and for their local area of the country or constituency
Grade Levels: Grades 4 - 8
Materials:
- Information on local Member of Parliament (e.g. address, political party represented, election platform)
- Writing materials (i.e. paper, envelopes, pens, pencils)
- Sample letters and addressed envelopes (on overhead transparency) with parts labelled correctly
Method:
- Show transparency of letter and discuss parts of both a friendly letter and a business letter
- Discuss when each type of letter would be used and why
- Brainstorm some ideas or issues that students feel are important in the running of the country and in their local constituency. List all ideas on the board. [Note: If cross-jurisdiction issues come up in the discussion, it may be an appropriate time to discuss federal responsibilities and provincial responsibilities in governing the country]
- Have students write a draft copy of a letter to their local Member of Parliament, outlining issues that they feel are important
- Students should self-edit their letters using dictionaries for spelling. Then they should have one or two of their classmates edit their letters. When this step is completed, students should ask the teacher for a final edit of their draft letter
- Students will rewrite their letters, in their best handwriting or using a word processor, and have their good copy edited once again for obvious errors
- Address the envelope and mail the letter
Variation:
- Rather than writing a traditional letter, students will write an e-mail letter to their Member of Parliament
- Students and teacher will need to research the e-mail addresses of the Member
- Teacher will teach students how to use the school e-mail programs [Note: Most older students will already have their own e-mail addresses and will be familiar with the process. Older students may be
buddied with younger students for this activity in order to implement some peer teaching opportunities]
- The same process of editing should be used, but it may require more teacher intervention to ensure that non-edited work is not accidentally sent. This is an ideal opportunity to bring in parent volunteers to assist in the process.
Evaluation:
- Teacher-created letter writing rubric or teacher-created e-mail letter writing rubric
- Wise use of class time and participation
- Prime Ministers of Canada Word Search
Purposes:
- Students will learn the names of the Prime Ministers of Canada
- Students will have the opportunity to spell the names in an activity that is
fun
Grade Levels: Grades 4 - 8
Materials:
- Copy of Prime Ministers of Canada word search (page 21)
- Pencil, pen, or highlighter
Method:
- Provide each student with the word search
- Explain that the names may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and backwards but are always in a straight line
Evaluation:
- At a glance and anecdotal comments (time use)
- Meaning Matches
Purposes:
- Students will review the information about the different parts of the Canadian federal government by matching the term with the appropriate meaning
- Students will use appropriate vocabulary and terminology when talking about the government
Grade Levels: Grades 6 - 8
Materials:
- Meaning Matches work sheet (page 28)
- Pen or pencil
- Team prizes or incentives (free time activities) for variations two and three
Method:
- Review the terminology used throughout the unit on the Prime Minister and the Federal Government
- Provide students with copies of the word match activity. Have them complete it individually or in pairs
Variations:
- Print the words and the definitions on tag board and cut them apart. Students match the word with its meaning
- Vocabulary Game: Print the words on tag board. Divide students into teams. Draw a word and have the teams take turns defining the words. Award points for each correct definition.
- Reverse Vocabulary Game: Divide class into two or more teams. Read the definition to the teams. The first team who correctly gives the correct term that matches the definition is awarded a point.
Evaluation:
- Correct responses for the individual work sheet version
- Self correction on the tag board version (number one variation)
- Active participation and correct responses for alternate versions (numbers two and three variations)
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