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More than Wheat and Snow. NEW CANADIAN REALISTIC FICTION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE (SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL) Dr. Leah C. Fowler. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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More than Wheat and Snow
NEW CANADIAN REALISTIC FICTION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
(SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL)
Dr. Leah C. Fowler
Social realism fiction explores situations that affect young people in contemporary Canadian society. Often called the “Problem Novel”
These YA (young adult) novels may depict:• the impact of poverty, homelessness, issues of social
justice
• changing gender roles, varied family structures, issues of sexual orientation
• multicultural and global contexts
• violence and bullying, whether between individuals or nations
• aboriginal and environmental issues
• illness, disability, and resilience
• technology and its impact on communication and social structures
X
Canadian Young Adult Realistic Novels
Characters in these books are like our own students are:- resilient- complex, psychologically credible- capable of listening to the inner voice- changeable, grow, encounter the world- believable but unpredictable- able to evoke empathy from others- creative- supported by caring adult or loyal friend
Why Teach Canadian Contemporary Realism in High School?
• Integrates new Award winning Canadian literature for curriculum content, to meet Learning Outcomes (1/3)
• Relevant: high interest to engage students; real stories with difficult issues in the safe tememos of literature, to teach understanding, inclusion of difference, knowledge of the self, current similar lives of other students; to build tolerance, care, empathy, and insight.
• New innovative assignments using all the language arts• Opportunity for close reading strategies without being
overwhelmed by length or more archaic language• Personal and critical reader response opportunities• Increase Canadian readers and foster new young writers• Build Canadian cultural national identity to foster belonging
“ I have learned that there is no such thing as “other people’s children”. The world’s children are a blessing to all of us. They are also our responsibility.”
http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/authors/experts/dellis.asphttp://writerscafe.ca/book_blogs/writers/deborah-ellis_the-heaven-shop.phphttp://www.groundwoodbooks.com/gw_authors.cfm?author_id=193http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol11/no16/threewishespalestinian.htmlhttp://www.pencanada.ca/media/Media-ThreeWishes16Mar06.pdfhttp://www.quillandquire.com/books_young/review.cfm?review_id=4044http://unjobs.org/authors/deborah-ellishttp://www.collectionscanada.ca/read-up-on-it/015020-025000-e.htmlhttp://www.allen-unwin.com/shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?ISBN=978174114306https://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol11/no1/theheavenshop.htmlhttp://www.fitzhenry.ca/detail.aspx?ID=9298http://www.fitzhenry.ca/guides.aspxhttp://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/profiles/ellis.html
Deborah Ellis
Deborah Ellis’ TrilogyRoyalties to Women for
Women in Afghanistan (dedicated to education of Afghan girls in Pakistani refugee camps.
- The Breadwinner (2001)
- Parvana’s Journey (2002)
- Mud City (2003)
Ellis says:
“They are not tragedies, they are crimes. I am not talking about a tsunami. All these crimes were preventable and what I feel is anger.”
First line:“My mom used tobe a stripper….”
Last line:And when I finally takemy place in Khyber PassI’ll have bits and pieces inside me from peopleall over the world, and
every-one who meets me will goaway thinking they’vemet someone veryinteresting indeed.”
http://www.groundwoodbooks.com/gw_authors.cfm
Glen HuserBorn in Ashmont, AB, on February 1, 1943, he was born in Elk Point, AB, as Ashmont did not have a hospital. A former teacher-librarian, he is the founder of Magpie, a quarterly magazine that showcases student writing and graphics. He has served on the board of directors of both the Young Alberta Book Society and the Edmonton chapter of the Children’s Literature Roundtable. He is the long-standing children’s book reviewer for the Edmonton Journal. Glen currently teaches library and information studies at the University of Alberta
http://www.groundwooodbooks.com/gw_authors.cfm
Poster Boy – Dede CraneMeet Gray Fallon…
Quits his job at the fast food place that has carcinogens in the food and begins to research the environment that is killing his sister. Hazards ensue….
Skinnybones and the Wrinkle Queen by Glen Huser
Rebellious teen and cantankerous senior make a deal to escape on a road trip, with danger, lies, and luck to chase their dreams.
The Beckoners
by Carrie Mac
Fishtailing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3YDBlpTJug
Trailer for the book.
2010 Grades 11/12
Wendy Phillips
Gettingthe Girl:A Guide
to Private Investigation,
Surveillance, and Cookery
by Susan Jubyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvJO0KxcMo4 Movie Trailer
Arthur Slade
• Dust (2001)• Tribes (2002)• Northern Frights• Monsterology (2005)• Hunchback Assignments 2010
• Lives in Saskatoon• Began writing in HIGH SCHOOL
http://arthurslade.com/frontpage/
Only at the Movies“You think she’ll love you out of gratitude? That only happens in the movies.”
“What choice do I have?”
“Listen Jake, Here’s a news bulletin for you: Love isn’t self-sacrificing. It’s the opposite. It’s blind and it’s selfish.”
By William Bell
The Nesting Dolls
Check out Mysteries by Gail Bowen
Technology Related Novels
• Sun Signs by Shelly Hhridlitchska
• Dear Jo: The story of losing Leah and finding hope by C. Kilbourne
• Life on the Refrigerator Door by A. Kulpers
• On Thin Ice by Jamie Bastedo
• Wake Watch Wonder WWW series Robert Sawyer
Wake Watch WonderWWW series by Robert Sawyer
http://www.sfwriter.com/index.htm
Yes, Canadian Graphic Novels are Literature
The best defense against censorship challenges of
excellent Canadian Fiction for Young Adults is your
own informed conviction that your chosen novel is
valid and valuable literature.• Are its THEMES compelling; do they evoke thought, feeling and reflection?
• Are the CHARACTERS engaging, convincing? Can we identify and empathize with them? Do they offer a mirror of self or society? What do they tell us of the human condition?
• is the LANGUAGE imaginative, expressive, and beautiful; does it engage both our intellect and our emotions?
• is the NARRATIVE compelling, suspenseful, believable but unpredictable? Does it offer surprises, insights, and a satisfactory closure? Is it a page turner with meaning about real life?
Is it okay to teach this book?Yes, if you… - know why you are teaching- know who your students are- want current engaging excellent literature to
teach better ways of being human- know how to connect the book to the language
arts outcomes (Novel studies can meet all)- let the students and parents know ahead by
setting the context of what you will teach and what you hope they learn. If they have a problem with it, offer an alternative.
How to teach Canadian Realistic Fiction?
1. Author studies: for student/group work on one novel, they benefit from many others, grow their literary knowledge.
How do authors make a living? Why write? Who writes?
How to teach Canadian Realistic Fiction?
2. Inquiry units – Start with a real (research) question:
“Why are people mean to each other?” “How can people live well together?” “Why does this scare me?” “This is My Canada, What’s yours?
(also a book by Noah Richler)
How to teach Canadian Realistic Fiction?
3. Current themes or issues connection with other subjects like social studies – lead to debate, social action, communication with students across the world…
How to teach Canadian Realistic Fiction?
4. Children’s literature unit – to study the elements of fiction in quick accessible ways which extend into more complex works later.
(Great for English Language Learners; Plot, character, themes…)
Use Thematic Units with Children’s Literature
- Dual text- Visual literacy- Fine Art- Creative writing- Representing- Narrative elements- Reluctant readers- ESL readers- Cultural informationE.g. First Nations
writers and artists:
“Images of Home”
Is Canadian literature more than wheat and snow?
YES !Please Teach New Canadian Contemporary Realistic Fiction and their Amazing Authors and Build Social Justice Locally
and Globally!
Novels Contemporary Realist Fiction
Graphic Novels Historical
Speculative Fiction
Dr. Leah C Fowler
Thank you! Best care in your teaching.
