Education, Citizenship and Youth
Manitoba Grants for Innovations in Citizenship Education
Project Descriptions 2004
Helping Hands
Stonewall Centennial School,
Grades 7 and 8
Project Description: This project involves middle years students planning and implementing educational/social activities for mentally challenged adults.
Program Summary: “We began a program called ‘Helping Hands’ in order to encourage our students to become more empathetic towards people in our community who are mentally challenged. We began our project by training our students in order to learn about the world of mentally disabled people. At the beginning of each month we met to plan and design activities for each weekly session. Every Wednesday after school, a group of mentally challenged people from the Arris Centre came to our school for a one hour session. They are taught various lessons by our students, such as cooking, crafts, physical fitness, music and technology. We use our school’s facilities – the Home Ec. Room, the Gymnasium, the Music Room and outdoor equipment. After each session, the students record the activities in their journal.”
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents, and Community Members: There was very positive feedback from parents, the community, the Superintendent and School Board, and the local paper published a very positive article. (See The Stonewall Argus, January 14, 2005 – Page 2). Staff from the Arris Centre was also very complimentary and were impressed with how enthusiastic the students were and how comfortable they were in dealing with their clients.
Get Involved
Mountain View School, Grades 7 and 8
Project Description: This project allowed students to participate in workshops and meetings in order to select specific projects to better the local community and create positive change.
Program Summary: Youth attended a one-day round table discussion facilitated by Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Tourism and the Frontier School Division. The components of the workshop included:
- How can youth create community based initiatives
- What is community economic development
- Creating a youth vision for our community
- Identifying youth assets/strengths in our community
- Identifying youth needs/opportunities in our community
- Evaluation of priorities and selecting a project to complete
Youth also attended a workshop on the Get Involved Guide, a Recreation Council meeting, a Police-Community meeting, and a Community Council meeting. Subsequently, the youth applied to the Barrows Community Council for recognition as a community group and proceeded with two projects.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: Positive feedback was received from all of the different agencies involved as well as all of the community organizations. Youth realized that they could contribute to the decision making process in their community and they also recognized the importance of partnerships to develop and complete projects.
North Meets South: Environmental Citizenship
Cranberry Portage Elementary School, Grades 5 and 6
Project Description: Students examine climate change in northern Manitoba and then share the information with students in Winnipeg, and together, they create environmental recommendations.
Program Summary: Grade 5 and 6 students traveled to Winnipeg and visited the Fort Whyte Centre along with students from the Pembina Trails School Division. Students investigated how and why the climate is changing, and brainstormed strategies and actions they could implement to have an impact. Students from the North and the South shared personal stories and ideas about recycling, global warming, alternative energy resources, and strategies and actions they could implement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Students also discussed that this was a global issue, as important in the North as in the South, and explored the possible consequences if people did not become more environmentally responsible.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: Students felt the experience was worthwhile and they valued the opportunity to meet other students and share common concerns about the environment. They felt that the workshops they attended were worthwhile. Two students presented highlights and comments to the C.P.E. school committee, which was impressed by the enthusiasm of the students.
Ancient Mesopotamia to Modern Day Iraq
General Byng School, Grade 8
Project Description: Students studied the history of Mesopotamia and the present-day conditions in Iraq and established a museum highlighting Iraqui history.
Program Summary: Students researched specific contributions made by Iraqui people for the improvement of society. They also learned from Manitoba archaeologists the importance of artifacts and historical sites. They studied about UNESCO and their work, how to make ceramic clay replicas of artifacts, the history of ancient societies, how to set up a diorama and the roles and responsibilities of a museum curator. A guest speaker who had worked for the Manitoba Mennonite Central Committee in Iraq spoke about the importance of being a global citizen and raised students’ awareness about how war impacts people’s lives. Students then set up a museum on Iraqui history.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: The school and community newsletter shared the positive experience and the project was presented to 100 teachers and administrators at a Social Studies curriculum workshop, focusing on Inquiry and Citizenship. Positive outcomes included breaking down preconceived stereotypes of Middle Eastern people, raising empathy for people affected by war, the importance of global citizenship and humanitarian aid, and an appreciation of being Canadian.
Students Without Borders
Collège Jeanne-Sauvé, Senior 2
Project Description: Students, parents and staff support the ongoing cause of learning about, and then supporting an African community with issues of literacy, health care, and the local economy.
Project Summary: The village of M’Bour in Senegal was chosen because Senegal is a needy but stable country where the residents speak French, the language of Jeanne-Sauvé, and Wolof, a local dialect. First, a relationship was developed between the two communities, and then needs were assessed and project planning began. Students and staff formed various committees and undertook very ambitious fund-raising projects, raising in excess of $25,000. Funds were used for everything from buying an egg incubator to training local women to be teachers to battle illiteracy. Participant have participated in Wolof classes, Muslim seminars, and drumming lessons, African dance lessons, African cooking classes, all to prepare for an actual trip to M’Bour in 2007.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: Some quotes from students:
“I never knew it was possible in high school. I want to do this all my life. Even if I had a career in something else, this is something I want to stay involved with.”
“We give up our lunch hour, time after school, sometimes our weekends. When you see the ads about World Vision, you see the kids. This way I can do other things than just give money. I can really help.”
“I feel like I’ve become a better person. You see how much you’re making an impact on other people. You want to keep helping.”
“When we go there, we’re going to get more out of it than we give.”
Video Archive of Local Legion History
Hartney School, Senior 3 and 4
Project Description: Student film and produce a video archive of local Canadian War Veterans to be utilized at community Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Project Summary: Training was arranged using professional film-makers. Students recorded interviews with local veterans about their experiences in the war. Video images were also produced of significant war imagery, symbols and memorabilia. The video produced will be used on November 11, 2006.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: The local Legion has been very enthusiastic about this project and many community members have volunteered their time and made their memorabilia available Students were quite excited to be able to speak with veterans and they asked a lot of probing questions.
Our Canadian Treasures
Dalhousie School, Grade 1
Project Description: Students interact with local seniors at a personal care home, reflect on their experiences, and examine the meaning of being Canadian.
Program Summary: Forty-five students painted ceiling tiles on the theme of citizenship and made visits to the Waverly Seniors Centre where each matched with a senior. They played games, did some drawing together and talked. Discussions included the children’s favorite things so the seniors learned a little about their new friends. Children asked the seniors about their lives including their families, what jobs they had had, what it was like when they were young, and the children also learned some songs that the seniors liked. At the conclusion of the project, the students, parents and staff hosted a tea. Students were responsible for making invitations, decorating and making presentations.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: Seniors and parents both saw this as a very worthwhile experience for the students as well as the seniors. Students learned about respecting and caring for the elderly, how to be patient with them and how to be helpful if they could not hear well or see well.
Some quotes from the Seniors:
“It makes them feel good and it makes us feel good.”
“It’s so interesting having a child as bright as she is. She keeps me right on my toes.”
“We enjoyed doing our homework together and enjoyed the students’ singing.”
A comment from a parent:
“The Canadian Treasures Project is exceptional. It is a unique way for young children to learn about Canadian history, to value and care for seniors, to reach out to their community, and to learn about the spirit of giving.”
Exploration of the Métis Community of St. Laurent
École Dieppe School, Grade 6
Project Description: Students learn about Manitoba history by visiting the French-Metis community of St. Laurent, studying the culture and language by talking with elders and participating in community activities.
Program Summary: Dieppe students explored the community of St. Laurent through personal letters with students from St. Laurent as a part of their learning about the Metis nation. They toured Lower Fort Garry and rode down the Red River and visited the site of Thomas Scott’s execution and his grave. The visit to St. Laurent provided students with first hand experience of the way of life both of a small town, and a Metis community. Connecting with the community allowed students to use their French language skills authentically and gave them a new perspective of the French-Metis culture. Students activities included traditional games, an ice fishing demonstration, a hike on Lake Manitoba and a bonfire on the lake.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: Students responded enthusiastically to visiting St. Laurent and were warmly greeted by those students. Parents of both groups were also very positive. Students were very engaged and motivated. The teachers were impressed with the level of interest and connection to Manitoba’s history.
Laugh to Survive
École Pointe-des-Chênes, Senior 1 to 4
Project Descriptions: This project involved all of the senior years students in the school in activities promoting reflection, awareness and decision-making related to their francophone identity.
Program Summary: The program had three components:
- a survivor game, in which students gained points by making choices and taking action to affirm their francophone identity;
- two forums, animated by local comedian Martial Tougas, using humour to enrich student awareness of the benefits of being francophone;
- small group discussions in which students reflected on the advantages and challenges of being francophone, and planned strategies to guide decision making in questions of cultural identity.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members:
- One parent remarked, "I was astonished to learn how few of our students knew what assimilation means."
- The project helped students develop an awareness of their power to determine their own identity, while at the same time having fun.
- The facilitation of group discussions by the Conseil Jeunesse Provincial provided accessible leadership models to the students.
- It would be useful to pursue a project such as this over several years.
