Description of educational activity
With its free educational program You’re Part of History!, the MEM visits schools on two professional development days that are close together in the school calendar. Facilitators help students in the after-school program create an exhibition to be displayed in their school. Ideally, the same students should participate on both days, but this is not mandatory. The exhibition showcases the students’ stories and interpretations of Montréal’s history.
The program You’re Part of History! is divided into four workshops.
Workshop 1. Our Origins on a Map
Students play a game where they have to match flags with the countries from which thousands of Montrealers come. They also identify their own country of origin on a giant map of the world. The students then use the flag of their country of origin to create a banner for the exhibition.
Workshop 2. The History of Montréal Through Our Eyes
Students have fun discovering Montréal’s historical periods through individuals who have left their mark on the city. They use archival images and photographs to piece together parts of Montréal’s history. After selecting their favourite historical figure, they create an exhibition panel.
Workshop 3. Who Am I?
Students draw a self-portrait. By adding elements from their life in Montréal, they create an image reflecting their reality, to be displayed in the exhibition.
Workshop 4. History Sleuths
Students discover objects from the MEM’s collection and learn how they can be used to tell stories. They carry out investigations, observing the objects and searching for clues. Based on their discoveries, they create a word cloud for the exhibition.
These four workshops are designed to help students produce material that will become part of an exhibition to be displayed in their school on a permanent basis. We can work with the school team to decide on a display area and set up the exhibition.
This project was made possible thanks to financial support from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration.
Objective
- Introduce students to educational situations that will allow them to embark on and complete projects aimed at self-realization and integration into society.
- Give students from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to meet and talk about their experiences of Montréal (particularly useful for students in welcoming classes).