Amy Park

Heritage Heights School, DeWinton (Alberta)

Seven-year-old historians and archaeologists uncovered the stories behind an array of Inuit artifacts and art pieces borrowed from the Glenbow Museum. With a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning, the young archaeologists in Mrs. Park’s class carefully examined and researched the cultural significance of these pieces in an effort to discover the stories within them. With a clear set of collaboratively built expectations, Mrs. Park’s students immersed themselves in the learning, research, and creation with absolute confidence. As a demonstration of their deep understanding, through the use of technology, art and language, these Grade 2 students wove the details about the artifacts into a series of compelling historical narratives in order to create fresh new digital interpretations of Inuit ways of life. Their digital stories are now displayed on an online class “virtual museum.” This inquiry was followed by a period of assessment that allowed students to provide meaningful feedback and reflections about their own work and that of their classmates, demonstrating an open and mutually respectful community of learners.