News From the Nest-Spotlight on Learning: Louis Riel- Guilty or Not?
Spotlight On Learning
Presented by: Mr. Stuart Turner
Subject: Social Studies 9 – Louis Riel Trial
Driving Question: Louis Riel- Guilty or Not?
TEACHER DESCRIPTION and/or REFLECTION:
This assignment is geared towards having students think deeply about the topics discussed in class and to challenge their assumptions by digging deeper into the topic. Students collaborate in small groups on the topic and have to debate among themselves to decide if Louis Riel is guilty of treason or, a hero in Canada and somewhere in between. They know their position is safe (meaning I don’t judge that) but that I will focus on the evidence they use. The setting is a court room where students must pretend to be a lawyer, use legal terminology, be formal in tone, anticipate counter arguments, use appendixes for further evidence. From a curricular competency it focusses on SS inquiry processes and skills to ask questions: gather, interpret, and analyze ideas: and communicate findings and decisions. They should also explain and infer different perspectives on past people, places and issues and recognize implicit and explicit ethical judgements in a variety of sources.
STUDENT REFLECTIONS:
The Louis Riel trial was one of my favourite assignments because of a few simple reasons, this allowed me to explore deeper into one of the many great mysteries of Canada. This event caused lots of turmoil back when it happened, but now, through the current Canadian legal system, we can show that he shouldn't have been convicted to death even if he made a fake government. Another reason is that it was fun to look deep into his background and the background of the Canadian government and how their legal system worked back then, the legal system was completely different from now and then. And finally, I think it was fun to use lawyer talk in our argument, it made me feel like I was actually there prosecuting him in person, and it also expanded my vocabulary.