History of Quebec and Canada:
First Nations to First Explorers

Required

• Listen to lecture or read chapter or read web site sections and make rough notes. Use the following sheets to organize your rough notes:
  • Module One Outline
  • Reasons for Exploration
  • Jacques Cartier
  • Geographic Conditions
  • First Nations
  • Mutual Influences
  • Concepts of Colonization
  • Mercantilism
  • Territorial and Military Consequences
• Make good notes in good notes notebook/duotang
• Answer selected questions in workbook
• Complete unit test

Each assignment is worth 5 points unless otherwise indicated.
If you complete one of the assignments in a second language of your choice you will receive double marks for that assignment (5 points becomes 10)

• In your own words explain “matrilineal society”. Provide 2 examples. (at least 1 page double-spaced)

• In your own words, describe how the Amerindian and French cultures influenced each other (at least one page, double-spaced)

• In your own words, write a brief biography of one of these people. Click here for an example of a biography.

• Design a miniature longhouse. This assignment should have 2 parts - a blueprint and the final project. Go to this website for tips: The Archaeology of an Iroquoian Longhouse

• Draw a cross-section of one of the early exploration ships. Label the major parts. Go to these websites for tips: The Matthew, John Cabot's Ship
  John Cabot's Voyage
  Model of The Matthew

• Create a poster showing the various reasons why Europeans made it to what we now call Canada. Your own words should be used in the poster (There should be at least 4 reasons)

• Create a Powerpoint presentation about the events we have studied so far. You can use your good notes to help write the text. Be sure to include some images as well as text

• 15 points Create a comic book entry for each of these topics. If you create an original story using these topics as a theme then it can be considered a Level 2 activity!:
  1. Iroquois and Algonquin People
  2. Reasons for Exploration
  3. The First Explorers
  4. Natural Resources
  5. Samuel De Champlain's activities
  6. Colonies
  7. Explorations
  8. The fur trade
  9. Amerindians and French: Mutual Influences

• Create a timeline of the events we learned about in this section. This can be illustrated with drawings or collage.

• Create a 10 question quiz and answer key (on separate pages!) about this module.

• Create a dictionary of all of the following words:
  • motive
  • caravel
  • mercantilism
  • sedentary
  • nomadic
  • matriarchal
  • patriarchal
  • nation
  • resource
  • monopoly
  • colony and colonists
  • mercantilism
  • Coureurs des Bois
  • voyageurs
  • influences

  This could be an illustrated dictionary. The definitions should be in your own words (Please don’t just copy the dictionary onto your paper. You won’t get full marks if you do!) This could be done in any media (pen and paper, Powerpoint, Inspiration, etc...

• Create a crossword puzzle with the vocabulary words above. Go to Puzzlemaker for help.

• Create a poster that incorporates all of these words. This should be a visual presentation of what these words mean (could be done in more than one poster...)

• Choose a person from the list (see list of historical people)and research his or her life. Choose one of the following options:
  1. Write a letter from the person you chose to someone at home (Wife/brother/mother/son…) describing some main events in the person’s life.
     OR
  2. Tell a story (orally) about an important event in the person’s life. Include many details. This must be taped, or you must make an appointment to tell it to me in person.

  OR

• Write 3 separate journal entries as if you were one of the people from the list. Your journal entries should make mention of the major events in his/her life.

  OR

• Choose one day from this period in time and create a small newsletter for this date. You should include at least 4 separate articles. There can be obituaries, current events, sports, travel...
  Please keep the sense of history in mind - there probably would not be concert announcements or seat sales on airplanes...:)
  This could also be presented orally instead of in written form. Again, an appointment must be made with me in order to present the assignment if it is not taped.

• Write a short play about the fur trade. Be sure to include the following elements:
  • the appropriate characters (see p. 18)
  • a realistic conflict or problem (see p. 19)
  • a list of the characters and a description of the setting must also be included with your play.
  Click here to see a sample play.

Choose one of the following options:

Research the Iroquois political system from the period we have studied so far. Write an essay that compares and contrasts this system with our present day political systems. Do you think that we have inherited anything from the Iroquois political system? Provide examples.

Some starting points:

• Constitution of the Iroquois Nations: THE GREAT BINDING LAW, GAYANASHAGOWA
• Mini powerpoint presentation on Iroquois political structure. Read slides 21 to 24.
• Article by Glenn Morris about the political organization of Native peoples before the arrival of Europeans.
• History Alive: Iroquois.

Research the evolution of navigational methods for ship steering. Write an essay that discusses the impact of the navigational technology that was introduced during the time of exploration we are studying on today's methods of navigation.

Some starting points:

• Latitude: The Art and Science of Fifteenth Century Navigation.
• Navigation in John Cabot's Time
• The Evolution of Steering Ships.
• Presentation on Navigation Instruments
• Where on Earth are We? Mathematics and Celestial Navigation.

Research some of the effects that the French had on the Amerindian population in North America. Try to address at least two of the following questions in your essay:

• How did the contact with the French change the traditional way of life for the people of the Iroquois nation?
• How do you think modern life been effected by these influences?
• What are some traditions that still exist?
• How do you think things would be if the French had never come to North America?

Some starting points:

• Mohawk Mother of Eight Children Reflects on Traditional and Modern Ways of Life
• Six Nations Beliefs

Research what it may have been like to live in Canada during the time of Samuel de Champlain. Be sure to include at least two aspects of daily life, some Native influences, as well as some information on exploration. Finally, answer the question: was life during the time of Champlain a positive or negative experience? Be sure to back your opinion with solid evidence from your research.

Some starting points:

• Life in Canada in the Time of Champlain.
• Champlain's Travels

If you do not have access to the Internet but would like to try the Level 1 activity, please see me!