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....