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Land of Hope.
National Film Board 1997.
Subject Headings:
Grades 9 and up / Ages 14 and up.
***1/2 /4
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This two part video, which covers Canadian immigration history from Acadia to modern refugees, is a definite asset to the Canadian history teacher but could also be used by Language Arts teachers. Each video provides 3-4 excellent historical recreations. My only reservation for this excellent title is the somewhat steep price for school purchase.
Volume I examines four significant immigration periods/immigrant groups: Acadia (1755), Irish (1847), Black (late 1800s), Chinese (early 1900s). Volume II looks at the Home Children (late nineteenth and early twentieth century), Mennonite (1920s), and Salvadoran(1990s). The videos examine the misconceptions and the fears that dominated the different historical eras while celebrating the determination of the newcomers.
Each segment runs for approximately 6-8 minutes and is numbered (1, 2, 3) in each video in the bottom right hand portion of the viewing screen. An obvious advantage is the use of the video by different teachers in a school and knowing exactly where on the tape is the appropriate story. Each segment is presented in first person narrative through original letters, re-enactments, drawings and photographs.
As an example of the material, the Irish dramatization begins with an elderly woman writing her reminiscences for future generations. She recalls the potato famine and the voyage across the Atlantic in 1847. Typhus races through the ship and claims her parents. Landed on Grosse Isle and orphaned, she is adopted by a French Canadian family.
This video would be a useful addition to any school resource centre.
Highly recommended.
Tom Dercola, who has had 29 years experience as a high school teacher, is the Humanities Department Head for St. James Collegiate in St. James School Division, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © 1998 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - JANUARY 16, 1998.
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