Canadian Culture in the Classroom Essay

There is a real lack of appreciation for Canadian literature across Ontario. In grade 12 classrooms across the province there is a wide variety of material studied, very little of it being of Canadian descent. While good writers exist in all cultures, Ontario students should mainly study Canadian authors as there needs to be focus on Canadian culture, to also promote and establish current authors, and to encourage young Canadian writers. Southern neighbours have already swamped Canada with their various ways of life. There is no reason for American culture to leak into the classroom. Canadian culture has never had the chance to blossom, even with the potential possessed, because of the storied and rich culture that has preceded it. Always under the thumb of foreign culture, Canadian authors were always an afterthought. For years, a student in Ontario would study Shakespeare and other British writers, and today, even American writers such as Fitzgerald. All of them, no doubt writing q uality literature, but the big picture is being missed. Many schools limit a student’s exposure to a Canadian novel to ISP reading lists. In this sense, Canada is an attic in which we have stored American and British literature without considering our own (Davies, Letters in Canada 426). No wonder a Canadian student has problems appreciating there culture. It seems as though that any Canadian literature studied is out of date to begin with. This includes works such as Mordecai’s Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz or Lawrence’s, Stone Angel. Fifth Business, which was published in 1970 – over 40 years ago – is still on many courses of study in Gr. 12 classrooms. Atwood’s Handmade Tale, the most recent of these books was published in 1985; over twenty five years ago. Again, while most teachers allow and may even encourage a student to focus on more modern Canadian books for their ISP, the classroom experience is almost always limited to studying these golden oldies. In order for Canadian literature to become a staple in the Ontario classroom, there needs to be an infusion of modern Canadian novels. Then there is the issue of these out of date authors not reflecting our modern multicultural society. There needs to be a variety of races represented in literature because, it is these very people which make Canada so diverse. As Robertson Davies stated†¦ â€Å"Canada is not going to have a national literature in the mode of those European lands where a long history has bound the people together, and where a homogeneous racial inheritance has given them a language, customs, and even a national dress of their own† (Transactions 35). We need to look at the work of Canadian authors who have come here from different backgrounds as to inspire young authors of all races. There is no doubt a brilliant mind out there, who could turn into a Canadian icon, but simply has no interest in Hamlet or Life of Pi. As Canadians, we are lost in a sea of international influences; we hardly know who we are. No wonder that Margaret Atwood can comment that Canadians have issues with establishing their identity. In discussing Canadian writers, she argues a Canadian state of mind does not really exist†¦ â€Å"I’m talking about Canada as a state of mind, as the space you inhabit not just with your body but with your head. It’s that kind of space in which we find ourselves lost† (Margaret 18). In order for this great nation to continue to produce young writers, to establish the current authors, and to gain Canadian literature the respect it deserves, the focus in the Canadian classroom needs to be on Canadian writers. While some might think that students will be prevented from studying the best literature out there, taking this approach will allow Canadian students to see the value of our authors, especially with the many talented Canadian authors. Although there is no need to completely uproot staples such as Shakespeare, from a curriculum, Canadian culture need to be priority number one. Works Cited Atwood, Margaret. Survival: A Thematic Guide to Canadian Literature. Toronto: McLelland and Stewart, 1972. Print. Davies, Robertson. Letters in Canada. Toronto: Macmillan Press, 1979. Print. Davies, Robertson. Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada. IV. XIII. Ottawa: Royal Society of Canada, 1975. Print.

Competency Statement Essay

To establish and main a safe, healthy learning environment I believe it is important to establish and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment by keeping my center and play ground area clean and free of the things that are harmful to my children. I believe the first steps to encourage learning is to keep a clean and safe environment, that my children’s minds will be stimulated and will meet there individual learning styles. My goal is to encourage my children to follow healthy and nutritional eating habits. I do this by promoting foods that are healthy and clean for my children to eat. I teach about and have my children sample all types of healthy food to help our bodies grow strong. My children and I have helped encourage in changing the centers menu to make the menu fun, colorful, yet healthy and nutritious, that meet the needs of those children with a special diet. One thing I would love to try to do more of would to have the children service them self as a family style meal. In the functional area of establishing a learning environment my goal for my children is to try to make sure that my classroom is fun, safe, organized and set up for success. In my classroom I have seven different learning areas: art, science, blocks, dramatic play, manipulative, writing and library. All labeled with words and pictures. I try to set up stimulating learning centers so that my children can move freely with age appropriate material for their self-directed play and learning. I like to provide a high activity, low stress environment where my children can learn and play happily together. I do have to mesh some centers onto one shelf due to limited space in my classroom. If I could I would change the layout of the room and add some more space for each center. My weekly plan is not designed by myself but by my company. I believe it is a very effective lesson plan, age appropriate and fun. I do get to add or make changes to it as needed to make it work for special needs. I try to  involve my parents in helping provide props or anything they have laying around the house that we can use to make our centers more life like. My lesson plan focus areas include circle time, language/reading activities, creative expression, science/math, music and movement, gross motor, dramatic play and sensory. I try to make every lesson fun and hands on so that I know my children are grasping the learning part of the lesson.

Factors that influence learning Essay

Health Bad health can have a negative impact on a person’s learning. If a person is unwell they are unable to attend school, college or courses. For example, if a person has the flu, they could be unwell for two weeks. In those two weeks they could miss a substantial amount of learning time, leaving them behind with work & unable to move on with their learning at the same pace as their peers. Employment If a person is employed it can have a negative effect on their learning as well as a positive effect. For example; If a 6th form student is studying 4 A-levels and has a part-time job, they will barely have any free time. Resulting in them getting behind with work, not meeting deadlines. This can result in an extreme amount of stress. This is a negative effect on learning. Employment can also have a positive effect on learning, for example, if a person has a job they are going to be learning new skills in the work place. Care responsibilities Read more: Personal factors that affect child development essay If a person has care responsibilities, it can result in a negative effect on a person’s learning. For example; If a student is a young career, and they have to look after a parent, they may be missing a lot of time off school or college to do so, meaning they will be missing out on a lot of work. Also when they are attending school or college they may be worrying about what is happening at home why they aren’t there and if the person they are looking after is ok, this can mean they aren’t concentrating on the work they are supposed to be doing so they could be missing vital pieces of information. Access to a study centre Having or not having access to a study centre can affect a person’s learning. If a person has access to a study centre they will be able to learn more effectively, and complete work, revise and meet deadlines. Meaning they will be have a good learning experience. Although if a person is unable to access a study centre because of circumstances such as low income, they will be unable to learn effectively, complete work, revise or meet deadlines etc†¦ This means that they will fall behind with work and may not be able to achieve the things they would like to. Time Time can be a very huge factor that can influence a person’s learning. For example; if a person doesn’t have much free time they wouldn’t be able to achieve as much as they could if they had enough time to complete work, study and revise. Not having enough time can have a huge negative effect on a person’s learning. Also if a person has a lot of time to study etc†¦ they stand a better chance of achieving greater things, such as a person having a lot of time to revise for their A-level exams stand a better chance of progressing onto university because they are more than likely to achieve better grades than someone who struggles to find time. Specific learning needs If a person has specific learning needs such as dyslexia, and they are unable to access the resources they need such as extra support and coloured overlays, they will find it difficult to learn and may have an un-enjoyable learning experience. This will result in a negative learning experience. Funding for study Funding for study can have huge implications on a person’s learning experience. For example, if a student that is planning to go to university is unable to obtain the funding needed for the course they wish to do, they may be unable to do the course they require for their dream job. Resulting in a negative learning experience. Although if a person is able to get funding for a course at university, they will be able to study the degree they want and will be able to go onto do the job they may have always wanted. However receiving funding could in the long run have a negative effect, because the student maybe worrying about having to pay the grant back. Aspirations Having aspirations can have a positive effect on a person’s learning. This is because they may study harder in hope of achieving their aspirations. For example, a person who wishes to become a doctor later on will concentrate a lot harder than someone who doesn’t know what they want to do later in life,  because the person who aspires to be a doctor will know how hard they have to work to achieve the things needed to pursue such career. Learning styles Learning styles have an impact on a person’s learning experience. For example; If a person is a someone that learns by doing practical tasks and getting hands on, is stuck in a lecture just being dictated they aren’t going to have an enjoyable learning experience and are just going to switch off and not take in any information they are being told because they are bored, resulting in a negative learning experience. Motivation Motivation has an impact on learning experiences. For example; If a student has no motivation to do well, they will more than likely not bother doing any revision or pay attention in class, resulting in bad grades and the inability to move on to higher education or a job because they have been unable to achieve the necessary requirements to do so, resulting in a negative learning experience.

Management Leadership Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Management Leadership - Case Study Example 2. The presence of Emaar in the United States having acquired John Laing’s homes in California is an indication of the strength of their brand. It means that since the company has such a huge investment in the biggest economy in the world, then it exhibits an international influence in the industry. Investors will ultimately have higher confidence in the company. In addition, it helps them establish a market niche, which is not only based in the United States but all across the world. When the United States develops policies to protect its businesses within the country and those based abroad, Emaar is included. Thereby the company gets much power and influence as a result of the association with US. 3. Using his power and influence and the contacts created, Alabbar can steer Emaar to greatness. First, he can consider getting into partnership with some of the biggest brands in the market in order to enhance his company’s penetration. Secondly, he can consider diversification to other lucrative sectors such as the energy sector. Thirdly, Alababar can establish collaborations with governments. Finally, he can develop sustainability programs such as the corporate social responsibility policy that helps the community relate with the organization. Implicit leadership theory- this theory helps analyze personal attributes of a leader, which may help understand d why they make the decisions that they make. In addition, the leader’s vision, behavior, skills, and deeds are analyzed. It is apparent that such personal attributes of Ed contribute to the performance in the organization. Leader-member exchange theory- this theory is geared towards analyzing a situation where there are subdivisions within a team. The group members get to separate into different groups just like is the case at Cromwell Electronics. In addition, Ed who is the leader seems to have a special focus on the team that has been in the

History of architecture; transformation of the basilica 'type' form Essay

History of architecture; transformation of the basilica 'type' form from the Imperial Roman use to the use by the (Western) Catholic Church - Essay Example The structures of these buildings were designed for varying use with a consistency for certain characteristics, and a new form of decoration and building evolved. The new construction in Rome like Saint Peters, Saint John in Lateran and Saint Pauls Outside the Walls deviated from the Roman baths that used massive engineering made of brick and concrete and from the classical and simple form of temple, to colonnades circling a cella or chamber. The new construction adopted elements from traditional market places, military and riding halls and judiciary building where the interior colonnade separates the space into a major longitudinal space and aisles. These elements were employed in an innovative way to form a religious gathering hall with a better ground plan and varying interior and exterior effects to house new functions according to the evolving liturgy of the Christian church. Saint Peters Basilica has the characteristics of this form of planning and structure. Since the Basilica is situated adjacent to a hill, the way to entrance gate is connected with a monumental stairway. The Basilica has a large atrium or colonnaded court with a purification facility from a fountain. The church is a five aisled basilica with colonnades separating two aisles. The longitudinal space leads to a broad arch opening to a transverse space called the transept. An elevated sanctuary or bema is constructed after the transept and the high alter is situated on the bema in an apse or semicircular area. Saint Peters basilica is covered using a timber roof. The basilica also has sloping roof above the aisle with a gabled roof above the nave (Calkins p.10). The spatial logics of the basilica permits only partial view of the ceremony. The ruler or emperor was the only layman allowed to enter the sanctuary. The participation of the emperor along with the clergy in the liturgical function by

Freedom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Freedom - Essay Example As a lawyer, John also had an impact in his hometown where he presided over the other lawyers as the Lord of Suffolk; however, it was not until 1629 when he decided to join the Massachusetts Bay Company after the king initiated the suppression of unconventional religion. Nonetheless, he figured out that the only way he could make an impact was if he was part of the government, leading to his election as the governor (Winthrop, 1). Appreciably, the dictatorial atmosphere in government and religion has a vast impact on the neighbors of Massachusetts; naturally, the formation of most of them resulted from the act of rebellion from the people against the ruling of the elders. A few years before his death, Winthrop gave a speech in one of the major courts challenging the government to fighting corruption and upholding justice as a foundation for the general welfare for all the people. After his death, Jon, Winthrop’s son, discovered a journal that he had been keeping for twenty yea rs prior to his demise; nonetheless, this was among the many historical accounts that he put in writing and that have an impact on politicians in the modern world. Nathaniel Bacon’s opposition of William Berkley’s way of ruling led to the historical Bacon’s Rebellion, which was among the few that had powerful armory; however, Bacon’s basis for the rebellion is understandable especially with the disorganization and multiple criticisms about the administrative procedures ((Kelly, 1). Moreover, Berkley enforced restrictions on trade warning people against selling their commodities to neighboring communities. These were core motivators, especially after people tried consulting him on the matter without him reacting or upholding their rights. Led by Nathaniel, the people of Virginia armed themselves set to attacking Berkley and his people that he supported so much. Just like John Winthrop, Anne was also a

Personal development plan for preparing to the financial advisor exam Essay

Personal development plan for preparing to the financial advisor exam - Essay Example I end the first section with a set of time-based goals and objectives for the next twenty years. The next section is an analysis of my personal competence and characteristics. In the third section, I discuss and analyse the profession I want to practice, that of becoming a financial advisor. The fourth section contains a general plan of objectives, goals, strategies, and measurements (OGSM) to prepare myself to pass the financial advisor examinations in May 2006. The final section contains Tables from the previous sections. I define my Mission as the basic purpose for why I think I exist. I define my Vision as my aspiration in life, what I want to achieve in the future. I define my Core Values as the standards of personal and professional behaviour that will guide me in realising my mission and attaining my vision (Cottrell, 2003, p. 12). I believe that without a clear direction of where I want to go, why I want to go there, and the basic rules that will guide me in this journey of my life, it will be difficult for me to reach my destination, much less know how I will get there (Maxwell, 1998, p. 168). I am a person who always tries to find a reason for everything I do, and in this story of my life, I feel that my life has a specific mission that it is my destiny, and mine alone, to fulfil. What is my specific Mission? I have been thinking about this for some time, and I found the answer by asking myself the question of how I want to be remembered in this world. Among the many answers that came to mind, the one that appeals to me most is this: I want to make a mark in the world by changing the lives of people in ways they have never imagined. I want to be someone people will remember not as rich, well known, admired, or praised, placed on a pedestal by people who will raise their eyes and say, â€Å"Yes, this person is different from us†¦Ã¢â‚¬  No, I would rather be someone