Novel study blog notes

September 26, 2012

Novel study classes started last Wednesday and Thursday. I am sharing the book 'Mrs. Mike' with the Wednesday group.  It is based on the true story of Katherine Mary O'Fallon and RCMP sergeant Mike Flannigan and their experiences in the Alberta Frontier from 1907. Last week we met 16 year old Kathy on a train in a blizzard in Regina. We talked much about trains and how they opened up the west. Today we are visiting the Galt Train Museum and learning more about trains and our local history.

First thing we do in the learning journey is think about what we already know; we access our own prior knowledge. This was the focus as we discussed questions comparing Alberta of 1907 to Alberta 2012. We also questioned each other and explored what we already knew about trains. We all had a great amount of prior knowledge related to the term 'Chinook'; and a great understanding of how to dress when it is -30º.

Interest is strong when prior knowledge is accessed by questions based in the context of the learner.

The group that came Thursday joined in a discussion about the origin of the Canada Maple Leaf flag.
More later....

Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, Honolulu

Pear Harbor far larger than I had imagined it being. We watched a very informative documentary relating the details of the attack before taking the barge over to the Arizona Memorial. The ride was free but we had to get their early to get tickets for that day - we were in line at 20 to 8and got tickets for the 11 o'clock trip.
As we crossed the immense and deep bay I realized the magnitude of the terror and destruction that reigned thatfateful day so long ago. A reverent feeling prevailed as we contemplated the lives lost and bones still resting in
these waters.  

 The Arizona still sits on the bottom of Pearl Harbor. You can see the ghost outline of it in the map above. The white line on top is the location of the memorial we were about to visit. Rusted remains of the Arizona protrude from the water below. 

 Every name of every life lost is on the memorial wall. I found one Judd name, below, A.J.Judd. Not related that I am aware of, but a connection just the same. 

 The memorial was open to the elements; which are most always hospitable in Honolulu. The warm humid air made my hair curly and my skin soft. The heat at Pearl Harbor got rather oppressive. 

 The barge dropped us off with crowds of others, picked up a bunch and headed back across the water, back and forth, about every half hour,  steadily, all day. I remember a tiny thrill run through my heart when I realized we were in a structure in the middle of Pearl Harbor with no way off! for 20 minutes!
I enjoyed the breeze off the water on our way back to starting point......we browsed the touristy book stores full of great things for WWII history buffs. 

We rode a bus to the Missouri tour, the only ship still floating after it all ended......