Canadian History Songs - Easy as Apple Pie!

I'll be the first to admit...I wasn't fond of History in high school.  In fact, I couldn't wait until grade 10 was finished because it was only mandatory for students to take history up until then.  I didn't have a great affinity for my History teacher... she wasn't interesting, nor do I think she was interested in us!

Ironically, now here I am...a few decades later (don't want to date myself here), as a teacher and someone who loves learning Canadian History!  Becoming a teacher not only taught me a lot about myself as a person and a learner, but also allowed me the opportunity to see how I can reach kids who are just like I was.  If it was my perception that information being thrown at me didn't affect, or would never affect my day to day life, I would tune out.

As a teacher, I feel that it's my job to find a way to reach students and foster their understanding of how material/subjects affect their day to day life, and to look for methods that appeal to their learning style.  When I started out as a teacher and being a Kinesthetic learner myself, all I knew for certain was that not all children learn the same.  During my years of working with different learning styles, I loved the challenge of finding various ways to meed their needs.  "The Canadian History Tunes" Cd is one example of how to compliment any Canadian History curriculum to meet the needs of varying learners.  Incorporating fun songs with memorable tunes which can be played in a group setting, involve singing along, dancing, or any other form of movement.


Without always realizing it, we are constantly engaging our five senses to learn.  In my opinion, the best way to engrain anything to your long term memory, is to use them all!  Think about when you tasted 'apple pie'(or insert your favourite food here) for the first time.   You smelled it baking.  You saw the steaming golden crust smothered with a melting mound of vanilla ice cream. You heard the snap of the flaky crust as you picked a piece with your fingers. And finally tasted the sweet, warm mouthful of Heaven.....


It's committed to memory, right?  You'll never forget that experience because you engaged all of your senses.  It's the same for learning history!  It's fun to create learning experiences for your students to help them commit information to their long term memory.  


Read about the exciting events in Canadian history, create fun activity sheets and games, sing some Canadian History Songs and take your students on a field trip.  Great sensory activities that will commit the experience to memory, while generating a life-long interest in learning! 


For more information on purchasing the Canadian History Songs, visit us at: www.HomeSchoolBeaver.com 

On This Day in Canadian History

Levesque is Canada's first separatist premier

Broadcast Date: Nov. 15, 1976

On Nov. 15, 1976, Quebecers deliver a historic first-time win for 54-year-old René Lévesque and his separatist Parti Québécois. The PQ crushes Robert Bourassa and his Liberals. The stunning victory signals a new era towards an independent Quebec. As heard in this clip, even Lévesque seems taken back by their win. In his trademark raspy voice, drenched with exhaustion and excitement, an emotional Lévesque addresses the delirious crowd.


Source: CBC Archives (http://archives.cbc.ca/on_this_day/11/15/)

The Beaver Blog

Welcome & thanks for stopping by....

It's exciting to post our first blog entry, here at The Home School Beaver!

September and October just flew by, as we were completing orders for The Canadian History Tunes CD.  Every day, I kept that dream alive, that one day, when the time was right I could start the first Home School Beaver Blog.  And I am profoundly honoured to be starting just in time for Remembrance Day.

I have always considered Remembrance Day to be a very important day on our Canadian calendar.  It's right up their next in line to Christmas for me.  About 10 years ago, I started the tradition of carrying a red poppy with me every day of the year pinned with a Canadian flag in the centre.  It serves as a good reminder of just how lucky and proud I am to be Canadian.

Words will never be enough to express my gratitude for the great sacrifices made by the brave men and women who fought to ensure our freedom.  I can picture the Canadian and British soldiers who, on this very day - November 10, 1940, boarded the Trans-Atlantic Ferry with supplies destined for Britain in support of the allies forces during World War II.  I can imagine the pain of leaving their families behind, not knowing if they would ever see their faces again. Whether you believe in war or not, they made the ultimate sacrifices so that future generations would have the opportunities that we enjoy today.

Tomorrow being Remembrance Day, please remember to take that one moment of silence, no matter where you are, to pay your respects to those brave strangers who risked their lives for your freedom and say 'thank you'.

Peace,

The Home School Beaver