Passages 12

Web Links

Unit 2 Genre Focus: Survival

The Butterfly poem by Pavel Friedmann

• Friedmann
  Some information on Friedmann can be found at this site; as well as the poem he wrote in 1942 when in the Terezin Ghetto near Prague. Share this information with students and discuss what they know about Polish ghettos and death camps during WWII.
  • Click on the button at the bottom of the page called "Return to the Menu on Shoah" and then scroll down to find other poems and artwork. View some images as a class. Investigate other links on this page to view photos and read about the ghettos and death camps. Note that the content of many images is disturbing.
  • Encourage students to respond to the writing and images on this site by writing in a response journal, or by writing their own poetry.
• Poems of the Concentration Camps
  Ask students to visit this Web site and choose two poems to read. Discuss the poems as a class.
• Terezin Ghetto
  This Web site provides information on Terezin Ghetto. It also discusses the various artists who were camped there and provides a link to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that houses many artifacts from World War II.
• Visiting Terezin Ghetto Today
  This personal Web site provides students with one person's account of visiting modern-day Terezin. It also provides photos, and responses from readers, most of which have their own stories to share on the Holocaust.
• The Holocaust
  This is a Web site dedicated to WWII Holocaust victims, featuring art, photos, and stories. Ask students to explore this site to find out more about the Holocaust. Note that the site includes discussion forums; discuss school policy on forums and chat groups with students.

Quint Tells His Story script by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb

• Peter Benchley
  Students can learn more about this author of Jaws and his views on sharks. The site also answers many questions fans have about the man who created a shark-fearing frenzy in the 1970s. Students can visit one of the links provided on this page and then share two interesting facts with the class.
• USS Indianapolis 1
  This commercial Web site gives an in-depth history of the USS Indianapolis and its various missions.
• USS Indianapolis 2
  On this Web site students can learn more about the USS Indianapolis and its tragic fate. The site provides photos of the ship, as well as useful links to information on the Indianapolis .
• World War II Stories
  On this site, students can read stories about life during World War II. It also provides many useful links, including a link to the true story of what it was like fending off sharks following the sinking of the USS Indianapolis . Note that the site does include advertising.
• Movie Posters
  Students can visit this commercial Web site to view other movie posters. Ask students to compare the Jaws poster on Anthology page 57 with one other poster on this site.

Facing Extinction newspaper article by Kevin Hall

• Extinction of People
  Students can explore the World Wildlife Organization's site dedicated to ensuring the preservation of cultures that seem to be disappearing. Useful links provide information on various programs as well as the status of groups of people facing extinction.
  • Discuss the bias the WWF has and how another group might present similar information.

Suitcase Lady newspaper article by Christie McLaren

• Homelessness Article
  This article provides a look at homelessness in Canada, exploring what reasons might lay behind such terrible living conditions for many across the country. Note that the term "drunken Indian" is used in discussing stereotypes of the homeless, but may offend many.
• Homelessness Links
  This Web site is an index of links to articles about homelessness and other social issues in Canada. Because of the wealth of material on this site it is best that you preview several articles and choose one or more to share with students. You might wish to choose one for your province or area and then get students to investigate the issue of homelessness in their community. How extensive is the problem of homelessness? What services exist for the homeless? What programs try to help the homeless find and keep homes?
  • Challenge students to present their information as a report, editorial, or essay. Encourage them to offer solutions to the problem in their community.

The Cabin Door short story by Charles G.D. Roberts

• Charles G.D. Roberts
  On this Web site, students can explore the life and works of renowned poet and animal writer, Charles G.D. Roberts. Ask small groups to choose three poems from this site to read and discuss, focussing on form, style, themes, and subject matter.
  • This Web site provides information and works by many other poets and may be a useful resource when studying other poets. Click on "Indexes [by Poet]" or "Indexes [by Topic]" to search for appropriate materials.
• About Bears
  This site, run by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, gives useful information on bears, including how to avoid them. After reading some of the information on this site, students can return to a discussion of the story.
  • Again, it might be useful to discuss the site's bias and have students consider how another organization might present similar information.
• Bear Attacks
  Students can explore Parks Canada's site and find out the differences between Grizzly bears and Black bears as well as what to do to keep safe.
• Cecil Day 1
  Students can read about and view other works by this artist whose etching appears on Anthology page 68.
  • Have students check out the links of other artists connected with the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador and find an image that they believe would be an appropriate accompaniment for "The Cabin Door." You may want to preview some of the artists to make sure content is appropriate.
  • Discuss the purpose of this site and how its structure suits that purpose and its intended audience.
  • Note that David Blackwood (an artist of a selection later in the unit) can also be found on this site; in fact the collected works of Blackwood found on this site are more extensive than on the site listed below.
• Cecil Day 2
  Information about Cecil Day and about some of his works can be found on this Web site.
  • Ask students to consider how a gallery site differs from other sites they are familiar with.

Crying Totem Pole oil painting by Emily Carr

• Emily Carr 1
  This rich and informative site offers links to gallery tours, and various publications on the life and works of Emily Carr. Ask students to explore one part of the site in small groups; groups can then share information with the class.
  • Students can view other Carr paintings on this site. Ask them to view at least two other paintings and develop a comparison, focussing on subject matter, textures, colours, and mood.
  • The site includes lesson plans and teacher resources that you might find helpful.
• Emily Carr 2
  This is a fun Web site that includes a virtual tour of Carr's home and information on the artist.
• The Totem Forests
  Students can visit this Web site to view works by Carr and contemporary artists who are interpreting coastal villages. Discuss the site, its structure and purpose. (A link from the first Carr site listed above will lead here.)

Survivor Drifting etching by David Blackwood

• David Blackwood
  Students can explore David Blackwood's art by viewing an on line gallery of paintings and monotypes. A biography of the artist is given as well as links to galleries showcasing his work. Ask students to view three other images and discuss them in small groups.
• Blackwood Book
  A gripping review of the book, David Blackwood: Master Printmaker by William Gough, can be found at this site. Includes information about the artist. Note that this is a commercial Web site with banner ads.

What Stays in the Family memoir by Lorna Crozier

• Crozier Biography
  This Web site offers students a glimpse into Lorna Crozier's life. It provides a biography of the poet, as well as a few of her works.
• Alcohol abuse
  Students can explore the Alcoholics Anonymous' site, which offers useful information, questions and answers on AA, as well as a message to teenagers.
• Substance abuse
  The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse provides valuable resources and answers many questions on substance abuse. It also offers statistics and networks for those who may need help.

Epic of Survival: Shackleton narrative essay by Caroline Alexander

• Ernest Shackleton
  This richly informative site offers a biography of Ernest Shackleton as well as a chronology of his various voyages, including the ill-fated expedition of the Endurance .
• Antarctica
  Students can trace the exploration of the Antarctic through this chronological history of the continent.
• Pole Exploration
  This site provides students with a history of polar exploration. Detailed links are given to explorers as well as the history. Ask students to choose one link to explore further.

Why Canada Has to Beat Its Literacy Problem essay by June Callwood

• June Callwood
  This site provides students with a biography of renowned author and activist June Callwood. A suggested reading list is also provided.
• Literacy
  On this site, provided by ABC Canada, students have access to various facts and research on literacy within Canada. Ask students to research the issue of literacy, and then discuss the effects of illiteracy on a society.