Have Canadians
A WebQuest for 7th Grade (English Language Arts, Social Studies and Information Technologies)
Designed by Ellen Phillips and Tara Prime
Halifax Regional School Board
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page
Introduction
On March 29, 2001, Helge Ingstad passed away at the age of 101. Norway's Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg gave the eulogy at Dr. Ingstad's state funeral, which was attended by King Harald and Queen Sonja. Mr. Stoltenberg praised Dr. Ingstad saying that he "changed the understanding of world history."
This Norwegian writer, adventurer and discoverer, transformed a myth into scientific fact in the spring of 1961 when he found ruins almost a millennium old on the north coast of Newfoundland which proved beyond a doubt that the Vikings, not Columbus, were the first Europeans in what is now North America. However, few Canadians recognize the impact that this man's discovery has made on our history. Are you one of those Canadians?
You will be doing some discovering of your own as you embark on this journey to fully appreciate the committed efforts of Helge Ingstad and create an appropriate way for Canadians to honour him by designing a commemorative monument that will give this man the recognition he rightfully deserves.
Task
This coming year Helge's daughter, Benedicte, is planning a commemorative visit to L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland (the site of his discovery). With the increased international attention following Helge's recent death, the Canadian government has realized they have not given enough credit to this great man, not even in the pages of our own textbooks. The Canadian Government is sponsoring a contest in partnership with McRaw-Grill Fryerson Publishing Company. This contest is open to Canadian youth and challenges them to design a monument engraved with a commemorative BioPoem that will be unveiled during her visit. A picture of the monument and the poem will be published in the newest edition of history textbooks.
You decide to form a partnership with a friend and enter the contest. After all, you are rather inspired to win the top prize- an all expense paid trip to L'Anse aux Meadows, where the monument will be unveiled.
Process
To undertake this challenge you decide to follow the contest rules below.
1. Form a partnership with another student. Together, use the following resources, and familiarize yourselves with Helge Ingstad's fascinating life, amazing accomplishments and his passion. Take special note of Ingstad's lifetime achievements, determination, biographical elements and accomplishments.
Be sure to compare the elaborate recognition and state funeral provided in his home country with that of the minimal coverage his death received in Canada. Make sure you both take notes and share your findings. Time is ticking and you want to win the trip!
Resources
The History Behind the Vikings
Overview of the Vikings including video.
A quick review on the work of an archaeologist
The role of the archaeologist in the field
Exploration of Canada By the Vikings
Kevin Aylward's, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation for the Province of Newfoundland, address to the House of Assembly announcing Ingstad's death.
Ingstad's biography
Parks Canada's Website for L'Anse aux Meadows
Norway's Aftenposten Newspaper Report . Be sure to look at the photo gallery to see past and recent pictures of Helge Ingstad and his wife, Anne Stine Ingstad.
CBC's Brief Announcement of Ingstad's Passing
New York Times Obituary as it appeared in the Halifax Sunday Chronicle Herald Sunday, April 1, 2001
Obituary in Memorial University's Gazette
2. Now that you have gained a wealth of information on Ingstad's life and his contribution to Canadian history, decide who will assume the following roles.
A) Historian- Your job will be to effectively combine the details of Ingstad's life with your creative writing skills to compose a BioPoem that reflects the history behind the man. Be sure to find information to highlight Ingstad's lifetime achievements, determination, biographical elements and accomplishments. Prepare a rough draft of your BioPoem for group editing with the final copy "engraved" on the monument.
B) Designer - "Will you remember me and tell my story in stone?" Commemorate the life of this outstanding man with a monument that's a unique work of art. Monuments need not be boring relics; be creative and tell a visual 'Story In Stone.' You are responsible for selecting the medium and materials for the construction of the monument. Be sure that the monument itself is in the shape of something relevant to Ingstad's life and includes engravings that effectively reflect his accomplishments. Make your work a personalized and unique tribute to commemorate the life and historic relevance in time. You do not have to make the actual model but you are required to submit the actual plans. Be sure to include in your sketch, the plans for all sides of the monument. One side of your monument sketch should display your BioPoem inscription. Check out some examples of existing monuments that may inspire you!
3. The two of you must work together to agree upon and edit the BioPoem, as well as, reach a decision regarding the monument. Feel free to create and add any other inscriptions that have been chosen to be on the monument.
4. Your finished entry must be submitted in the form of a professional looking portfolio ( a duo tang is acceptable) that includes a sketch of the monument with your poem engraved upon it.
5. You and your partner must be prepared to share your portfolio if it becomes selected as one of the finalists in the contest. Be sure to review your notes on effective oral reporting.
Evaluation
Assessment of this WebQuest is on-going. Your participation and cooperation within your partnership is vital to a good grade. You and your partner will both be required to complete a self-assessment by obtaining a copy of the rubric from the teacher. As well, the teacher will give a final assessment on the rubric using not only her assessment of the final product, but also her observations during the process of the WebQuest.
|
Criteria |
Sorry! |
Novice D |
Amateur C |
Professional B |
Artist Extraordinaire |
|
BioPoem |
-did not meet minimum requirements for project- | -met minimal
expectations
-did not follow poem format -contains numerous spelling/grammar errors -work untidy, not student's best -little if no evidence to show that topic was researched -contained minimal details of Ingstad's life, personal traits, aspirations and lifetime achievements |
-inconsistent
effort to meet teacher expectations
-poem format not followed exactly -well edited, but contains 3 or 4 spelling/grammar errors -neat and tidy, but not student's best work -shows less than adequate evidence that topic was thoroughly researched -less than adequate details of Ingstad's life, personal traits, aspirations and lifetime achievements included |
-meets teacher
expectations
-followed poem format -well edited, but contains 1 or 2 spelling/grammar errors -neat and tidy, took pride in presentation of work -shows evidence that topic was thoroughly researched -included adequate details of Ingstad's life, personal traits, aspirations and lifetime achievements |
-exceeded teacher expectations -followed poem format -well edited, contains no spelling/grammatical errors -neat and tidy, took pride in presentation of work -shows evidence that topic was thoroughly researched -included vivid details of Ingstad's life, personal traits, aspirations and lifetime achievements |
| Monument
Plans |
-met few, if any, of the requirements for monument | -minimal
artistic effort shown
-minimally reflects evidence of researched information -questionable shape used, not relevant to Ingstad's life -monument plans may or may not be complete -little effort given to neatness
|
-showed artistic merit -reflects less than adequate evidence of researched information -shape may or may not be relevant to Ingstad's life and accomplishments -may or may not commemorate historical relevance through the use of further engravings or inscriptions -monument plans may or may not include all sides or surfaces and are not the student's personal best
|
-showed artistic merit -reflects adequate evidence of researched information -shape was relevant to Ingstad's life and accomplishments -commemorates historical relevance through the use of further engravings or inscriptions -monument plans include all sides or surfaces and are neatly drawn and labeled
|
-showed the highest artistic merit -reflects evidence of well-researched information -shape used was unique and relevant to Ingstad's life and accomplishments -commemorates historical relevance through the use of further engravings or inscription -monument plans include all sides or surfaces and are neatly drawn and labeled |
| Team Work |
-used class time ineffectively -off task most of the time -continual teacher prompting -did not meet role responsibilities |
-often noisy -ineffective use of class time -on task only when teacher prompted -met minimal role responsibilities |
-needed teacher prompting to work quietly and efficiently to complete work -often needed teacher prompting to stay on task -often had to be reminded of role responsibilities |
-worked quietly and efficiently to complete work -stayed on task with minimal teacher prompting -met role responsibilities most of the time |
-worked quietly and efficiently to complete work -stayed on task without teacher prompting -met role responsibilities |
|
Portfolio Presentation
|
- no presentation given |
-spoke in a clear loud voice -made little eye contact with audience -lacked confidence -moved around unnecessarily
|
-spoke in a voice that was
not loud or clear enough -made some eye contact with audience -some confidence shown -some movement
|
-for the most part, spoke in a clear loud voice -for the most part, made eye contact with audience -confident -a little movement evident
|
-spoke in a clear loud voice -made eye contact with audience -very confident -stood still |
Conclusion
Congratulations on your entry to the contest! Not only do you have a chance to win but you have taken great strides to recognize the impact Helge Ingstad has made to Canadian history. You have ensured the commemorative integrity of this man for the benefit, education and enjoyment of this and future generations of Canadians. Your efforts will respect the significant and irreplaceable legacy represented by a man you will not soon forget.
Credits & References
Last updated on (May 9, 2004). Based on a template from The WebQuest Page