News From the Nest-Spotlight on Learning: “Reach”-ing Out!
Spotlight On Learning
Extension Project: “Reach”-ing Out!
Presented by: Ryan Porth
Subject: Socials Studies 9
Driving Question: How can we effectively portray history to establish meaningful connections between individuals and the past?
TEACHER DESCRIPTION and/or REFLECTION:
As a way of extending their learning in Social Studies 9, students were given an opportunity to plan a visit to The Reach Museum in Abbotsford and analyze its exhibits to discover how museums make history relevant to our lives today. At the time of their visit, the keynote exhibit was called Des Pardes, a look at the historical experiences of the South Asian community in the Abbotsford area. Students were told to take pictures of themselves at the museum with the exhibits and then prepare a brief class presentation of their experience, including a 3-D representation of some aspect of the museum. While at the museum, students were asked to reflect on a number of key questions, such as, which part of the museum’s exhibits attracted you the most, how did this visit change the way you look at life in the past, and, if you could change any part of history, what would you do and why? Student presentations, including their creatively made 3-D models, demonstrated a keen awareness of the historical connections that museums bring to the there and then, and the here and now. I will definitely offer this opportunity to future classes!
STUDENT REFLECTIONS:
One student remarked that she could put herself in the shoes of others while walking around the museum and imagine how they must have felt at that time. She continued that she was able to look at the exhibits with the perspective of today and see how things have both stayed the same and also changed. Another student reflected that her experience changed how she saw the past because it allowed her to see what different cultures went through and how those experiences affected them now. Furthermore, it changed how she looked at the past in the sense that it gave her an opportunity to look at all sides, in this case, the experiences of the South Asian community in Abbotsford, and not just the ones she’s heard most about in school.