A series of Language Arts activities based on the Farmers’ Institute Pamphlet of 1902 available on the Saltspring Archives website.

Suitable for upper intermediate / middle school students.

Skills addressed:

Reading comprehension:

• reading for information
• sorting and categorizing information
• recognizing main topics and details
• recognizing author’s purpose and bias
• making inferences

Writing:

• writing explanatory letter
• writing comparison and contrast

  *notes to teachers: Preparing to use these activities
  
  This piece of text provides students with reading challenges on several levels. It is written in a style unfamiliar to modern students. It uses terms and vocabulary that may be new to them. It is information-dense and lacks subtitles or other ‘organizing aids’.

  For these reasons it is suggested that students do the initial reading in pairs, online on the website. They can then discuss points of confusion and examine the pictures that accompany the text.
  
  For further work with the activities, teachers can print out and photocopy the text-only transcript so students can work without the computer.

Added materials on site:

1. Transcript of the text for downloading and photocopying
2. Sample Information web with suggested topics (pdf)
3. Sample Venn Diagram

Lesson Suggestions:

I. Pre-reading: “Setting the Stage” (20 -30 minutes)

Class discussion:
1. Introduce topic with an activity to get students thinking about what the Island was like 100 years ago.

eg: Think/Pair/Share partner activity to generate ideas about what may have and may not have been in the community in 1902.

• each pair discuss above for a few minutes, then
• each pair to report 2 or 3 suggestions in each category to whole class.
• Ideas could be recorded for future reference

2. Identify purpose of the pamphlet. ie: to recruit settlers for the community. Discuss the type of writing and information to be expected in such text. Remind student to keep this in mind while reading.

II. Reading: “Accessing the Information” (1 period)

Shared Reading - in pairs - online
1. Students access the Saltspring archives website and read the Farmers’ Institute Pamphlet of 1902 as a shared reading activity. While reading:

• examine pictures and discuss additional information gained from them.
• make a list of unfamiliar words or expressions for use in a vocabulary exercise.
• generate 1 or 2 questions ( ‘I wonder ....’ or ‘I don’t understand ... ’) for the post-reading discussion.

III. Post-Reading: “Processing the Information” (1-2 periods)

Class Discussion/Activities:
1. Have students respond first with their general impressions of the text.

• Have each pair report their questions generated during reading.
• encourage general discussion of the issues raised.
• collect and record unfamiliar vocabulary and expressions gathered during the reading.
• as a group, locate, discuss and clarify the various words and expressions.
  

*Note to teachers: for this activity and the next ones, students should have a copy of the pamphlet transcript for reference.)

2. As a group, create a Venn Diagram of Saltspring Island in 1902 and Saltspring Island in 2002. Brainstorm at least 5 entries in each of the 3 sections based on information gathered from the text for 1902 and general knowledge for 2002. Use this activity of comparison and contrast to consolidate students’ undersanding of the text.

IV. Independent or Group Activities:

1. Information Web:

• Using the pamphlet transcript have students sort and classify information contained in the text in an infomation web.
• The main topic: “Saltspring Island - 1902”. Define about 6 main topics (each with subtopics and details. A sample is available on this site).
• Could be done as an independent activity or in pairs, groups or as a brainstorming activity for a whole class. (or groups could define topics and subtopics with individuals responsible for details, or ....)
• Hint: Use colour and/or shapes to designate Topics, Subtopics and Details.

2. Persuasive Writing: an Explanatory Letter:
Reminder: This text is an example of biased writing.

Imagine you are the father of a young family living in England in 1902. You are dissatisfied with your life as you can see no opportunities to better your family’s situation. You are an optimistic person with a mild sense of adventure. You have recently inherited what to you seems a small fortune (£1000) and have been trying to decide how best to use it. You acquired a copy of the Farmers’ Institute pamphlet about Saltspring Island in Canada. You have read and reread the pamphlet endlessly and have made up your mind, based on this information, that your future and your fortune lies in emmigrating to this wonderful land.

• Write a letter to your parents in London explaining your decision. (an arguement) Be very specific about your plans.
• Explain why you have decided on this venture - what you plan to do there- what the advantages are - for making a living - for your family - how you will set yourselves up. Tell them the important things you know about the place. Think about what their worries may be and give them information to set their minds at ease. Suppport your arguements with “facts” from the pamphlet and use your powers of persuasion to convince them you are making a good decision.

  * submit your letter in 3 stages:

  1. an outline in point form that includes order of main ideas and “facts” you plan to use.
  2. a draft with information from the pamphlet underlined.
  3. a final copy.

3. Writing: Comparison and Contrast:

*note to teachers: This activity should be preceded by a discussion of what may have been left out of the pamphlet - ie: what difficulties weren’t mentioned.)

You are the same person involved in the previous writing activity. You have acted out your plan and have now lived on Saltspring Island for almost a year. You have discovered that the information in the pamphlet failed to mention some of the difficulties you might face.

• Write another letter to your parents in London to tell them what your life on Saltspring Island is really like.
• Explain how the reality is different from what the pamphlet led you to expect.
• Be specific about two or three important differences that have had quite an impact on your life.
• Decide if your letter will be all negative or if some things have worked out well. Have you decided to stay on the isalnd or move on? Support your decision with details of your new life.
• Submit your letter in 2 stages:

1. a draft copy with differences and reasons for your decision underlined.
2, a final copy