War of 1812

by

Mrs. Shirley Sturdevant

Winston Churchill Public School

Chatham, ON, Canada

 

 

CONTENTS

Introduction

The Task

Information Sources

Process

Guidance

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

The War of 1812 is a major event in the joint history of Canada and the United States. During and following the American Revolution, many Loyalists who had remained loyal to Britain felt uncomfortable living in the new United States of America. They moved north to Upper Canada which was still controlled by Britain. Unfortunately Britain and the United States of America were still at odds with one another. Residents of Upper and Lower Canada feared for the safety of their own colony. Would the the United States try to take over their land in their drive to expand their colonies and to retaliate against Britain?

 

THE TASK

Through this WebQuest you will address and be evaluated on the following expectations from The Ontario Curriculum. Please preview the rubrics (see links below) to ensure you understand how you will be evaluated for each component.

 

HISTORY

Overall Expectations

  • demonstrate an understanding of the significance of the War of 1812 for Canadian / American relations.

Specific Expectations

Understanding Concepts

  • describe the major causes and personalities of the War of 1812;
  • describe the impact of the War of 1812 on the development of Canada (e.g., the building of fortifications, the Rideau Canal, and Kingston Road; movement of the capital to Bytown [Ottawa]);
  • identify the achievements and contributions of Sir John Graves Simcoe.

Developing Inquiry/Research and Communication Skills

  • use appropriate vocabulary to describe inquiries and observations;
  • formulate questions to facilitate research;
  • locate relevant information;
  • analyse, synthesize and evaluate historical information;
  • communicate the results of inquiries for specific purposes and audiences, using media works, oral presentations, written notes and reports, drawings, tables, charts and graphs.

LANGUAGE 

Overall Expectations

Writing

  • communicate ideas for a variety of purposes, for specific audiences, using forms appropriate for their purpose and topic;
  • produce pieces of writing using a variety of forms, techniques and resources appropriate for the form and purpose, and materials from other media;
  • produce media texts using writing and materials from other media;
  • revise and edit their work independently and in collaboration with others.

Oral and Visual Communication

  • create a variety of media works.

 

Through this WebQuest, you will investigate:

  • the causes
  • the major characters
  • the major events
  • the results / impact

    of the War of 1812.

You will have an opportunity to gather research from Internet sites which take the Canadian as well as the American perspective. Be aware of the source of your site and take into account the possibility of bias as you investigate.

Following your investigation, you will:

  • develop a multi-media presentation (e.g., a Corel or Hyperstudio slideshow) to present your information;
  • write a monologue as one of the major characters of the war and present it in role.

     

INFORMATION SOURCES

(At the time of construction, all links were active. Every attempt will be made to edit the links to keep them up-to-date. My apologies for any inconvenience caused by inactive links.)

http://www.galafilm.com/1812/e/index.html (people, stories, events, background and check out the image gallery)

 http://library.thinkquest.org/22916/exmain.html (causes, timeline, battles, people, aftermath) 

http://www.schoolnet.ca/vp-pv/quiz/war1812.html#Para_12 (quiz helps you learn as you go) 

http://members.attcanada.ca/~htfergus/AmericanWar.html (descriptions of battles, links to related sites) 

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~ksands/War.html (War of 1812 and Tecumseh)

http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/Warof1812.html (causes, events, battles, timeline, pictures and other links)

http://ina.tamu.edu/LCwarof1812.htm (shipwrecks in Lake Champlain)

http://umbrigade.tripod.com/shawnee.html (Shawnee in the War of 1812)

http://www.howard.k12.md.us/res/rm/1812/WAR-OF-1812.1.html (virtual tour of people, places and events)

http://canadahistory.about.com/aboutcanada/canadahistory/library/weekly/aa072400a.htm (links to related sites)

 http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/worldbook/atozhistory/w/591480.html (causes, progress, results, chief battles)

 

PROCESS

Research and Inquiry

When class begins each day, re-read the last entry in your Journal. Decide what you need to do that day and then enter the date for the current day so you are ready for your comments at the end of the work session. Hand in your Journal at the end of each working session.

Multi-media Presentation

(See Guidance below for using Corel Presentations and for Capturing Graphics from the Internet.)

Corel Presentations is a multimedia program that allows you to present information in a fun and animated way. Use text and graphic boxes to insert information and pictures. Change the format of the ‘slides' and the style of background to meet the needs and interest of your audience. Keep the interest by adding action and sounds to your slide ‘transitions'. Start simply and the sky is the limit.

1. Select a Background

a. From the menu at the top, click on FORMAT then choose MASTER GALLERY. This will let you select the background for you slide show. You can change your mind later if the one you choose not is not best for your slide contents.

b. Click on the arrow next to the CATEGORY bar. The category list will drop down for you to see. Click on the categories one at a time and various slide background samples will appear below.

c. When you see a background you like, click on it and choose OK at the bottom.

d. If you wish to change the background at any time follow the same instructions again.

2. Insert Text

a. The layout for the text boxes is already preset for you but may be changed whenever you wish.

b. To begin, DOUBLE-CLICK in the top, larger text box on the first slide.

c. Type the words MY Slide show in either lower or upper case letters.

d. DOUBLE-CLICK in the lower, smaller text box and type by and add your name.

e. You may select a new font or change the size or font the same way you do in a word processing document.

f. You may change the size and shape of the text boxes the same way as in a word processing document too by clicking on the box and using the ‘handlebars'.

g. Add another ‘slide' by clicking on the + at the bottom of the screen.

h. Click on FORMAT and choose LAYOUT GALLERY.

i. Click on the third slide ‘layout'.Click on OK.

j. DOUBLE-CLICK on each text box one at a time and add a sentence about your self. If your text does not fit the box, change the size of the font or the size of the box. Remember, you can move your box by clicking the mouse on it, holding down the left mouse button and dragging the box. When you let go of the left mouse button, the box will drop where you leave it.

k. Make one more slide including more information about yourself.

3. Play Your Slide show

a. At the bottom of your screen, click on the tab for slide 1.

b. To play your slide show, click on the tab at the right that says QUICK PLAY, or on the picture of a roll of film with numbers on it at the top.

c. To make your slide show move to the next slide, press the right arrow. If you press the left arrow, you will go backwards.

d. If you wish to leave the slide show at any time before it is done. Press ESCAPE. Try it and see what happens.

4. Change the Order of Your Slides

a. If you decide that you would like the slides to be in a different order, click on SORTER at the right or choose VIEW from the top menu bar and select SLIDE SORTER.

b. All of your numbered slides will appear on the screen in the order you created them.

c. Left click on a slide and hold the mouse button down. A little rectangle will appear at the bottom of an arrow.

d. Move the arrow and rectangle on top of the slide that is where you want this slide to be. When you let go of the button, the slide will go into this place and all the other slides will move over.

5. Add Graphics

a. To edit any slide, click on it and select SLIDE at the right or VIEW at the top and select SLIDE EDITOR.

b. Add another slide by clicking on +.

c. Go to FORMAT and select the LAYOUT GALLERY again. Click on the blank layout.

d. Click on INSERT from the top menu and select GRAPHIC. A few graphics stored in the computer network will come up for you to choose from.

e. LEFT-CLICK and drag the graphic you want and drop it onto your slide. Change the shape and size by using the handlebars.

f. Play your slide show again.

6. Add Special Effects

a. You can change the way all or each individual slide changes from one to the other.

b. Go to FORMAT LAYOUT GALLERY or click on the picture click on the icon to the right of the Play Show icon at the top in the tool bar.

c. Click on the tab at the top that says TRANSITION. Click on the different EFFECTS and the sample slide on the screen will show you how the slide will change to the next slide. You can change the speed too by clicking SLOW, MEDIUM or FAST.

d. If you want all of the slides to change the same way, click the box at the bottom that says APPLY TO ALL SLIDES.

e. Now click on DISPLAY SEQUENCE next to TRANSITION in the Slide Property menu. (FORMAT, LAYOUT GALLERY, DISPLAY SEQUENCE).

f. Click on AFTER A DELAY OF ___ SECONDS and type a number such as 10 in the box.

g. Click the box at the bottom to apply this to all slides in your show.

h. DO NOT CHANGE ANY OF THE OTHER FEATURES ON THIS SCREEN FOR NOW.

i. Begin your slide show again and the slides will change by themselves.

j. If you want each slide to change in a different way, you will need to go through the same procedure for each slide. Use the arrows at the bottom right of the screen to move from one slide to the next so you can add the individual transition effects. Do not click the APPLY TO ALL SLIDES box at the bottom.

k. Now play your slide show again. 

The Hot Seat

Classmates and the teacher ask you questions about your role in the War of 1812. You must be prepared to answer in character discussing your responsibilities, fears, successes, etc.

Capturing Graphics from the Internet

Through your investigation, analysis and presentations you should have a clear understanding of the views of both the Canadians and Americans as they entered into conflict during the War of 1812. Each side felt it was right in its cause. Major groups and individual characters played important roles in the causes, events and impact the war has had on the individual and joint histories of our countries. Our two nations have had to overcome many obstacles and hard feelings in order to have the good relations we have today.