This section contains four lesson plans based on the Dialect Atlas that were specially developed for the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) Grade 8 Social Studies curriculum, with the support of Memorial University's Quick Start Fund for Public Engagement (for further information, see //yaffle.ca/a/viewProject/id/1913/). These lesson plans were designed in 2014 by Suzanne Power and Sandra Clarke of Memorial University’s English Language Research Centre (www.mun.ca/elrc), with input from three St. John's-area teachers (Edith Grandy, Keith Molloy and Kellie Rodgers).
All four lessons relate to Unit 2 in the NL Grade 8 Social Studies textbook Voyages to Discovery (Newfoundland and Labrador from the Turn of the 19th Century through to the Early 20th Century: History as a Story of People).
For each lesson, you will find here a general lesson plan and, in the case of Lessons 1-3, an "Information for students" document which provides more details. There is also a Dialect Atlas Activity Map, required for Lesson 1; a general document outlining how to use the Atlas; and suggestions for Heritage Fair projects based on the Atlas and the Dictionary of Newfoundland English.
The full package (which also contains answer keys in "Information for teachers" sections) is available to teachers only, upon email application, to NLESD Program Specialist Christine Greene at christinegreene@nlesd.ca or by writing her at:
Christine Greene
Program Specialist - Eastern Region
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
7-12 English Language Arts and Social Studies
Suite 601 Atlantic Place
215 Water Street
St. John's, NL
Teachers may also obtain the full curriculum package upon application to the English Language Research Centre (elrc@mun.ca).
Each lesson meets a number of specific curriculum outcomes and is designed to be interactive, with group work and presentations. We hope that teachers throughout the province will use these lesson plans and encourage their students to engage directly with local language and culture.
