The Ladners: Researching Local Pioneers

By Susan Anderson and Susan Earles, 2003 Governor-General’s Award Recipients

INTENDED GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT AREA

Grade 4 and 5, Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, Fine Arts

CONCEPTS

Local heritage, artifacts, international dialogue with researchers and pioneer families in other countries, immigration, pride and ownership of community, school-based link with community.

INSTRUCTIONAL OUTCOMES

Students will:

develop critical thinking skills
develop an understanding of the early Canadian explorers and pioneers of a local area
understand the relationship between people and their local environment
apply the inquiry method to their research including problem solving, computer skills, and oral speaking

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In our grade 4/5 class, we wanted to localize the mandated curriculum to provide more relevant and hands-on activities for the students. We felt this would assist the students in better understanding the broader picture of Canada’s settlement and would provide them with a personal link to our community of Ladner. This pioneer unit could be developed for any community in Canada.

About the Educator

Susan Anderson and Susan Earles have made an outstanding contribution to their school and profession. They created a localized, child-centred curriculum in Canadian history by enlisting staff, students, parents and local historians. The unit 4 uses approaches such as guest speakers, field trips, videos and primary documents. It focuses on two major studies: Tsawwassen and the Settlement of the Ladner family, and Early Pioneers of Delta. Students study travel routes, a historical villageand pioneer life. They also take part in an in-depth archaeological study of the local beaches. Finally, students look at the lives of First Nations people in the area through storytelling, recreating myths, and investigating artifacts from the Ladner Museum in Delta.