Friday, October 31/08

Goblin Hollow …

A hollow, perhaps much like the one in Lyndale where many years ago Annie Beaton was brutally murdered. Today we read about this tragic murder, a murder that was never solved. The story goes that all those in the Lyndale community were made to touch the hand of the corpse in an attempt to identify the murderer; somehow it was believed that the murderer would  ”break down”  upon touching the body of his/her victim. Never happened but many  believed the murderer was a jealous wife. We also listened to Fiddler’s Sons’ song “Annie Beaton’s Hollow” – which talks about how the local kids considered the scene of the crime a haunted place – daring each other to run through the hollow. We see how stories of “haunted places” probably have real stories behind them. We looked at an interesting document as well today - inquests into suspicious deaths. I am sure many of these cases would provide the background for some local ghost stories.

We reviewed our quiz. Keep it for reference for midterm.

Scrapbooks and interviews are now OVERDUE. A “makeup” quiz will be offered in the library at noon on next Tuesday.

Major assignments due next Wednesday. Scary…………………Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, October 30/08

Superstitious??????

It seemed appropriate to be talking about superstitions on the eve of Halloween. You were all familiar with superstitions and shared the ones you hold or have heard … don’t walk under a ladder, don’t whistle on a boat, a bird at the window means death/tragedy . In our reading we realize it is probably not surprising that Islanders have susperstitious tendencies due to the Celtic ancestors shared by so many of us. The Irish and Scots were known for such beliefs.

Today we read about Patterson – our first Governor under British rule. We realize things were tough when he arrived here ( to the point of starvation for some!!) The main problem seemed to be money - lack of it actually. He had a unique approach to solving his money problems but his greed got in the way and was his downfall. Although most proprietors were doing nothing to develop PEI,  a few were and they did not take kindly to Patterson messing with their land. Especially Captain John MacDonald of Glenaladale. Poor Patterson died a poor man in England.  We also read about pioneer life for those settlers that were arriving. Brutal might be a good word to describe conditions. 

Your scrapbook is due today.  Your interview with someone a generation or two older is due tomorrow. Tomorrow in class we will try to track down a few Island ghosts!!!

Wednesday, October 29/08

The One Room Schoolhouse

PEI’s countryside was once dotted with many of these one room schoolhouses. While much learning happened inside, recess gave the kids a chance to have some fresh air and fun. Today we talked about schoolyard games from our memories and we read about a favorite game of Island school children in “Them Times” – Leapo. All that was required was a rubber ball, a school roof and eager children. Sounded like lots of fun, and all without the supervision of a teacher ; chances are she/he was gone home for lunch when this game took place!

We took some notes and discussed “Colonial Growing Pains” today. The land lottery was an exciting event but once it was over, development was slow. Reality was setting in. We see the rise of the “Land Question” – which grew stronger over the years with frustrated tenants not being able to own their own land. Tomorrow we’ll read about Walter Patterson – the Island’s first governor. We’ll see how he tried to deal with things.

Today I gave you a copy of the essay questions for your midterm. Here is a copy in case yours goes missing:    Midterm Exam Essay Questions

Tomorrow is due day for your Newspaper Scrapbooks. 3:05 sharp. Have a productive night.

Tuesday, October 28/08

Samuel Holland’s map of the Island

Today we went through some information regarding what Britain decided to do with their newly acquired St. John’s Island. Essentially they used us as a “guinea pig” or as they called it – “a colonial experiment.” Patronage was alive and well – call in a few friends and hold a lottery for the 67 newly formed lots mapped out by Samuel Holland. This move (auctioning off lots to proprietors) is going to cause  huge problems for the Island for years to come. Wait and see.

We held our own little lottery in class today and you each became the owner of a 20,000 acre lot. I had you do a little research to see what your section of the Island was/is like. Are you happy with it or is it a dud? We’ll check in on that tomorrow.

We talked/read about uses of the kitchen table in “Them Times.”  Besides being a place for meals, homework, games we learned today that surgeries often had to be performed at home, on the kitchen table. Thank heavens for modern medicine!!

Don’t forget – Scrapbook due on Thursday; Interview due on Friday.

Monday, October 27/08

 

We started off our week with an extended reading period – as part of the province wide Million Minute Challenge. I think we put forth a great effort for our school.

A reminder that your News Assignment is due this Thursday – October 30. I hope you are putting the final touches on it.  PEI News Scrapbook Assignment

I gave you a fun assignment for this week. You are to interview a parent, grandparent or someone at least a generation older than you to find out what life as a teen was like for them. Should be insightful. The Good Old Days Interview

Lastly, finish up the questions on Lotto 1767 tonight if you did not hand them in to me today.

Wednesday, October 22/08

Student setting a good example – getting assignments done early. Hint, hint!!

Today we were able to mostly finish up your music assignments. Please remember to email yours to me OR give a hard copy so I can mark it. As well your homework is to pick 2 songs (not your own) and write a short description of why you think this was a good choice for the assignment. Comment on any images in them and if you can relate to them.  PASS IN MONDAY.

Today we heard from:

Melanie – You’re Island Through & Through (con’t)

Chad – Tanks A Lot (Jimmie Platts)

Dennis  – Bud The Spud (Stompin Tom)

Chris – Island Favorites (Leon Gallant)

Dalton – Tales of a Phantom Ship (Lennie Gallant)

Afton- Island Clay (Lennie Gallant)

Jessica – Your Island will Disappear (Allan Rankin)

REMEMBER: Your Newspaper Scrapbook is due next Thursday, October 30th. And, the following week your major assignments are due – November 5th.

Tuesday, October 21/08

Hard working hands …

The hands above have obviously seen their fair share of manual labour. We talked about hands today and how, because the Island has deep roots in farming and other manual labour occupations, accidents involving missing fingers were not rare. Interesting that most of you could relate to somone you know who has had this happen to them. Notice the hands of the elderly people in your community. Some of the Island’s history is etched in the lines on them.

After some technical difficulties, we we able to see hear some music presentations. Today we heard from:

Krista : “My Scottish Blood”   

Jillian : “Bill Lynch Girl”

Sara : “Back To Rustico”

Melanie : ”You’re Island Through and Through” ( to be con’t)

We will finish up the rest of the presentations tomorrow.  Remember, you are to choose 2 of the songs and write about them. More details tomorrow.

Monday, October 20th/08

Waiting …

What to do, what to do? By 1763, Britain had extended its North American possessions, including St. John’s Island (PEI). Now, what to do with it? Today we did an exercise called “Survivor St. John’s Island” which had you working together to come up with some essential things needed to get a colony going here on the Island. Good job by the way. Remember, by this time, the Island has only about 300 Acadians left and 200-300 Mi’kmaq. It is very much like a deserted island. There is a lot of work ahead.

We also took a look at the role of the horse in Island history. Through some discussion and reading “God’s Own Beast” (Weale) we can all agree that horses played a major role in our history; they were considered part of the family.  

Music Assignments are due tomorrow.  I look forward hearing what you found.

Friday, October 17th/08

PEI Music Scene …

The Island music scene is broad in range. It features traditional music that can be heard in small halls across the Island all the way up to more contemporary recording artists that travel the world. You are finishing up your music projects and we will enjoy hearing those next Tuesday, October 21. PLEASE check your rubric to ensure you have all bases covered for your presentation.

Today we had our second quiz. I’ll have fun with those this weekend. Hope you all did well. Have a great weekend. Don’t forget your other assignments due soon – Newspaper & Major.

Thursday, October 16th/08

The Farmers Bank in Rustico 1863 … a precursor to the Credit Unions of today.

This was a review day. We started with a couple of short video clips and then moved on to review the questions you worked on yesterday as well as our review sheet. Hopefully you are all spending time at home preparing for our quiz tomorrow.

The latter half of class we spent in the library working on our music assignment.

QUIZ TOMORROW. Happy studying. (& good luck to our cross country runners!!)