General Information

  Project Overview

The grade five language arts program involves the study of the novel Pit Pony by Joyce Barkhouse. Pit Pony is the story of Willie who at the age of eleven went to work in the coal mines of Cape Breton to support his family. As the story unfolds we see the dangers and abuses associated with having young children perform the work of adults. Child labor issues emerge as a topic of interest for students who find regular novel study activities routine.

Ten students involved in our Enrichment Program will research, write, and develop class presentations on international child labor issues.

The project involves research, writing, and presenting. The Internet, CD ROM, and normal print materials from encyclopedias and periodicals will be used as sources of information. Using the Internet, students will identify web sites concerning international child labor issues and download information that they will use to answer questions which they will develop. Students would become involved in on-line discussion sessions on child labor issues and send/receive email to and from individuals, organizations, and companies involved.

Many of the answers that they receive to their questions will lead to other questions that can involve additional research and writing. The end result will be a research paper that will be presented and discussed in a classroom presentation.

  Curriculum Connections

The main areas of the curriculum addressed through this project are language arts, social studies, and technology education. Amalgamated Academy is a Global school. This project allows the integration of global thinking and concepts into the normal curriculum. The project meets the purpose and philosophy of the Global school. This project meets the purpose and philosophy of the Global schools movement. The completion of this project will help us come closer to achieving Emerald Status.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

The specific learning outcomes that are addressed through this project include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Understanding the place of technology in the development of topics of interest.
• Using on-line information sources to generate and down-load information about specific topics.
• Writing and communicating with understanding and purpose for a variety of audiences.
• Understanding the living and working conditions of children in Newfoundland and Canada, and at an international level.
• Demonstrating competencies in written and oral communication.

  Resource Connections

The resources used in this project include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Networked (Windows NT) IBM compatible and Macintosh computers equipped with WWW software and a direct connection to the Internet.
• Color and black ink printers.
• Flat-bed scanner.
• Newspaper and magazine articles.
• Encyclopedias.
• CD ROM Electronic information sources.
• News media and current events broadcasts.
• VHS and VHSC Video.

  Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on their interest, enthusiasm, and work ethic as well as their ability to reason intelligently about issues and problems on a global scale. Their ability to efficiently use technology as a tool in the department of their research papers and their final presentations will also be noted. Students will be evaluated on their ability to process information and the quality of their written responses and classroom presentations.

Students will be asked to give feedback on the nature of the project and to assess the extent to which it motivated and propelled them to further action.

Checklist:

___ Understands the place of technology in the development of topics of interest.
___ Uses on-line information sources to generate information about specific topics.
___ Downloads information related to the topic.
___ Uses computer technology to communicate in discussion groups.
___ Sends and receives e-mail.
___ Writes and communicates with understanding and purpose for a variety of audiences.
___ Understands the living and working conditions of children in Newfoundland and Canada, and at an international level.
___ Demonstrates competencies in written and oral communication.

Teacher perceptions on the value of the project will also ascertained through a questionnaire.