The Order of Good Cheer: Living it up at 'Club Champlain'

By Deanna Millard, 2003 Governor-General’s Award Recipient

INTENDED GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT AREA

Grade 7, but easily adaptable for all grades in History, Drama, Visual Arts, and Family Studies.

CONCEPTS

Colonization; fur trade; a great leader in history; use of primary and secondary sources

INSTRUCTIONAL OUTCOMES

Students will:

• collect information from primary and secondary sources
• collaborate in groups to achieve a common goal and develop problem solving skills
• communicate historical information through role play
• understand the merits of leaders like Champlain, the development of the fur trade in North America and examine colonization

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

This is a fun way to start Grade 7 history. My students always have a blast!!! They love to eat anytime, so having role play based around food was heaven for them. Even though not all went according their plan (i.e., an overzealous leader of the Order, food in plastic bags), students felt that they had a taste of the 1600s “Champlain style.”