# data[].attributes.headline
This is a photograph for the conservative MP Deepak Obhrai and his bid for re-election in the Calgary East riding. In contrast to his contenders, his sign is very large, and aside from the liberal and NDP members, he does not have his personal profile added to the sign. The sign displays the traditional blue color of the conservative party, and the last name is emphasized - as is the case with most government officials. The sign also has contact information for any questions or concerns regarding the party. As a result of the 42nd Canadian general election, MPs are campaigning on behalf of their party and party leaders all across Canada. The conservatives are currently in power with Steven Harper leading them, and they also been elected to represent the Calgary East riding. This has turned out to be one of the most interesting elections in recent memory as Canadians are quite divided on who will lead the country with the conservatives, liberals and NDP all fairly even in the polls thus far.I took this picture because I feel that it directly speaks to living in a democratic society and being an active citizen. Living in a democracy we have the ability to decide who we want in power, with several different options to choose from. As such, as a visual metaphor, this can be a great way to introduce grade 6 students into the democratic process - exploring he various parties and what they stand for, as well as how the system works (ie "first past the post"). Although we live in a democracy, sometimes I feel as though it is more of an oligarchy - with a few powerful individuals making big decisions for the entire country. However, as I reflect on my own situation I feel I may be the victim of democratic apathy. I must confess that I am one of those youth who feel disconnected from the government - and this could be the result of poor social studies education. Although my specialization is social studies, I find it strange that the subject never engaged me as a youth. My teachers employed the textbook/question method unanimously, and citizenship was never addressed. As teachers we need to foster an understanding of citizenship so our students can have more confidence in their government.  I found this sign to be interesting because I feel like it reflects modern Canada, its diversity and the inevitability of change. Traditionally the Canadian citizen has been characterized by francophone, Anglophone, and aboriginal heritage - but that notion is dramatically changing as Canada opens it boarders to refugees and immigrants alike. In fact, only the liberal MP running in my riding has a "traditional" name that would reflect the hegemony of white males  - Cam Stuart. I feel that having people in power who do not reflect the traditional hegemonies of government are a key indicator that change is good, and that change is inevitable. We only need to look government today - Naheed Nenshi, Racheal Notley, Barrack Obama - these are all individuals who would not likely be in the positions they are in if we were to only go back 50 years. With Canadian multiculturalism on the rise, those with European heritage should become familiar with the notion they are the future minority and should embrace this. 

# data[].attributes.subject
This is a photograph for the conservative MP Deepak Obhrai and his bid for re-election in the Calgary East riding. In contrast to his contenders, his sign is very large, and aside from the liberal and NDP members, he does not have his personal profile added to the sign. The sign displays the traditional blue color of the conservative party, and the last name is emphasized - as is the case with most government officials. The sign also has contact information for any questions or concerns regarding the party. As a result of the 42nd Canadian general election, MPs are campaigning on behalf of their party and party leaders all across Canada. The conservatives are currently in power with Steven Harper leading them, and they also been elected to represent the Calgary East riding. This has turned out to be one of the most interesting elections in recent memory as Canadians are quite divided on who will lead the country with the conservatives, liberals and NDP all fairly even in the polls thus far.I took this picture because I feel that it directly speaks to living in a democratic society and being an active citizen. Living in a democracy we have the ability to decide who we want in power, with several different options to choose from. As such, as a visual metaphor, this can be a great way to introduce grade 6 students into the democratic process - exploring he various parties and what they stand for, as well as how the system works (ie "first past the post"). Although we live in a democracy, sometimes I feel as though it is more of an oligarchy - with a few powerful individuals making big decisions for the entire country. However, as I reflect on my own situation I feel I may be the victim of democratic apathy. I must confess that I am one of those youth who feel disconnected from the government - and this could be the result of poor social studies education. Although my specialization is social studies, I find it strange that the subject never engaged me as a youth. My teachers employed the textbook/question method unanimously, and citizenship was never addressed. As teachers we need to foster an understanding of citizenship so our students can have more confidence in their government.  I found this sign to be interesting because I feel like it reflects modern Canada, its diversity and the inevitability of change. Traditionally the Canadian citizen has been characterized by francophone, Anglophone, and aboriginal heritage - but that notion is dramatically changing as Canada opens it boarders to refugees and immigrants alike. In fact, only the liberal MP running in my riding has a "traditional" name that would reflect the hegemony of white males  - Cam Stuart. I feel that having people in power who do not reflect the traditional hegemonies of government are a key indicator that change is good, and that change is inevitable. We only need to look government today - Naheed Nenshi, Racheal Notley, Barrack Obama - these are all individuals who would not likely be in the positions they are in if we were to only go back 50 years. With Canadian multiculturalism on the rise, those with European heritage should become familiar with the notion they are the future minority and should embrace this. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Conservative election sign, campaigning for the upcoming federal
election in Canada

# data[].attributes.subject
Conservative election sign, campaigning for the upcoming federal
election in Canada

# data[].attributes.headline
 
  
  This is a picture of a church located in the
  NE community of Abbeydale, at the easternmost edge of Memorial Drive. The
  church had originally backed onto farmers fields, but now the hustle and
  bustle of Stoney Trail can be heard in the distance. 
  
 
 
  
  Nothing extraordinary is happening in this
  picture, there are a few cars in the parking lot but there is no service
  being held - at least not to my knowledge. It is a Tuesday afternoon around 3
  and there is a calming presence. 
  
 
 
  
  I took this picture
  because I feel that it speaks to our fundamental  right as Canadian citizens to religious
  freedom. Individual identity is also directly impacted by religion and the religion
  of others. I went through the Catholic school system, so I have a personal
  connection, albeit that connection has somewhat diminished since I have
  finished high school. As a visual metaphor I think this photograph can be
  used at any grade level, but can be further explored in grade 6 in terms of our
  democratic society. 
  
 
 
  
  Canada is unique in the sense that you do
  not have to give up your identity when you move here, however, many Canadians
  are having an issue with that today. Many feel that newcomers are
  "pushing" their values, and that because they do not have to
  assimilate, their beliefs/traditions can supersede what is already
  established. However, belonging to a certain religion does not make you any
  more or any less a citizen - unless the identity you invoke causes you to be
  indifferent to your fellow Canadian. I believe that the notions of identity,
  citizenship, and religion are all interrelated and as teachers we must help
  our students find a healthy balance of all three.
  
 
 
  
  I think any
  religious picture can initiate positive dialogue between people - if done the
  right way. Hatred is often the product of misunderstanding and learning about
  each other's religious beliefs can help dissolve stereotypes and prejudice.
  The same can be said of cultural and racial differences. As teachers we
  should embrace diversity and engage students in activities and lessons that
  allow them to express themselves and learn more about their fellow
  classmates. Doing this at the elementary level could be very rewarding in the
  long run, as we strive towards a more just society we must instill
  understanding and appreciation in our students.  
  
 

# data[].attributes.subject
 
  
  This is a picture of a church located in the
  NE community of Abbeydale, at the easternmost edge of Memorial Drive. The
  church had originally backed onto farmers fields, but now the hustle and
  bustle of Stoney Trail can be heard in the distance. 
  
 
 
  
  Nothing extraordinary is happening in this
  picture, there are a few cars in the parking lot but there is no service
  being held - at least not to my knowledge. It is a Tuesday afternoon around 3
  and there is a calming presence. 
  
 
 
  
  I took this picture
  because I feel that it speaks to our fundamental  right as Canadian citizens to religious
  freedom. Individual identity is also directly impacted by religion and the religion
  of others. I went through the Catholic school system, so I have a personal
  connection, albeit that connection has somewhat diminished since I have
  finished high school. As a visual metaphor I think this photograph can be
  used at any grade level, but can be further explored in grade 6 in terms of our
  democratic society. 
  
 
 
  
  Canada is unique in the sense that you do
  not have to give up your identity when you move here, however, many Canadians
  are having an issue with that today. Many feel that newcomers are
  "pushing" their values, and that because they do not have to
  assimilate, their beliefs/traditions can supersede what is already
  established. However, belonging to a certain religion does not make you any
  more or any less a citizen - unless the identity you invoke causes you to be
  indifferent to your fellow Canadian. I believe that the notions of identity,
  citizenship, and religion are all interrelated and as teachers we must help
  our students find a healthy balance of all three.
  
 
 
  
  I think any
  religious picture can initiate positive dialogue between people - if done the
  right way. Hatred is often the product of misunderstanding and learning about
  each other's religious beliefs can help dissolve stereotypes and prejudice.
  The same can be said of cultural and racial differences. As teachers we
  should embrace diversity and engage students in activities and lessons that
  allow them to express themselves and learn more about their fellow
  classmates. Doing this at the elementary level could be very rewarding in the
  long run, as we strive towards a more just society we must instill
  understanding and appreciation in our students.  
  
 

# data[].attributes.headline
This is a photo of railroad tracks spanning east
to west near 68th street in NE Calgary. I have not personally seen the tracks used
for a very long time, however, train horns can be heard often in the night.
Today they serve a dual purpose - dividing two communities, while connecting
the two coasts of Canada. 
 
  
  Nothing is happening in this picture, save
  the beautiful serenity and tranquility of the prairies. While nothing is
  currently happening, these tracks have a rich history that is worth sharing -
  both told and untold.  
  
 
 
  
  I took this picture
  because one of our readings touched on the CPR  and the type of dimensions there are to
  teaching social studies. While at first I aligned myself with "social initiation",
  I quickly realized that I wanted to be a teacher who taught "social
  reform" instead. While Canadian history can be rich - it is often the
  untold side of history that provides vital learning by disturbing what the
  learner already knows. After all, history is written by the winners, we do
  not often get to hear from the side that looses. I think this visual metaphor
  could be used in a grade 5 context, Canada: land, history, and stories.  
  
 
 
  
  I feel that today in our globally
  interconnected world, we tend to forget that things were not always this way.
  Long before the airplane or motor vehicle, the world relied on trains for
  transportation of goods and services. In regards to identity I believe in the
  saying "you are what you eat", and that is reflected in what we
  take in as consumers. Today almost all the goods we consume come via
  tractor-trailer. I think it is a good idea to get students to think critically
  about where goods are coming from that they consume, from both an economic
  and environmental stand. This can be a great way to introduce students to the
  importance of "buying local".  
  
  
 
 
  
  Some Canadians have
  difficulties explaining  what it means
  to be Canadian or to have a Canadian identity. We are told that we live in a
  multicultural mosaic; however social studies has been traditionally taught from
  a Eurocentric point of view that focuses on the glory of colonialism. In my
  personal experience much of the Canadian history I was taught came from a
  French/British perspective, leaving out vital perspectives essential to the
  story. The perspectives of the aboriginal people who had to give up their
  land to make way for the railroad, or the Chinese immigrants who gave their
  lives working in substandard conditions on the railroad are lost. By
  introducing these perspectives to students at a young age they can more effectively
  partake in creating a more just society that acknowledges contributions from
  more than just one or two social groups.  
  
  
 

# data[].attributes.subject
This is a photo of railroad tracks spanning east
to west near 68th street in NE Calgary. I have not personally seen the tracks used
for a very long time, however, train horns can be heard often in the night.
Today they serve a dual purpose - dividing two communities, while connecting
the two coasts of Canada. 
 
  
  Nothing is happening in this picture, save
  the beautiful serenity and tranquility of the prairies. While nothing is
  currently happening, these tracks have a rich history that is worth sharing -
  both told and untold.  
  
 
 
  
  I took this picture
  because one of our readings touched on the CPR  and the type of dimensions there are to
  teaching social studies. While at first I aligned myself with "social initiation",
  I quickly realized that I wanted to be a teacher who taught "social
  reform" instead. While Canadian history can be rich - it is often the
  untold side of history that provides vital learning by disturbing what the
  learner already knows. After all, history is written by the winners, we do
  not often get to hear from the side that looses. I think this visual metaphor
  could be used in a grade 5 context, Canada: land, history, and stories.  
  
 
 
  
  I feel that today in our globally
  interconnected world, we tend to forget that things were not always this way.
  Long before the airplane or motor vehicle, the world relied on trains for
  transportation of goods and services. In regards to identity I believe in the
  saying "you are what you eat", and that is reflected in what we
  take in as consumers. Today almost all the goods we consume come via
  tractor-trailer. I think it is a good idea to get students to think critically
  about where goods are coming from that they consume, from both an economic
  and environmental stand. This can be a great way to introduce students to the
  importance of "buying local".  
  
  
 
 
  
  Some Canadians have
  difficulties explaining  what it means
  to be Canadian or to have a Canadian identity. We are told that we live in a
  multicultural mosaic; however social studies has been traditionally taught from
  a Eurocentric point of view that focuses on the glory of colonialism. In my
  personal experience much of the Canadian history I was taught came from a
  French/British perspective, leaving out vital perspectives essential to the
  story. The perspectives of the aboriginal people who had to give up their
  land to make way for the railroad, or the Chinese immigrants who gave their
  lives working in substandard conditions on the railroad are lost. By
  introducing these perspectives to students at a young age they can more effectively
  partake in creating a more just society that acknowledges contributions from
  more than just one or two social groups.  
  
  
 

# data[].attributes.headline
From the Atlantic, past the great lakes, across the vast parries,
through snowcapped mountains, to the Pacific, the CPR leaves little untouched -
save the true north. 

# data[].attributes.subject
From the Atlantic, past the great lakes, across the vast parries,
through snowcapped mountains, to the Pacific, the CPR leaves little untouched -
save the true north. 

# data[].attributes.headline
This is a picture of my girlfriend's son, Nathan.
In this photograph he is enthusiastically picking up litter around the park
with a stick he found. We like to go for walks at the off-leash dog
park, Eliston park - located in the NE corner of Calgary. Many times we will
pick up recyclable containers, and the odd time we will pick up large pieces of
garbage, as seen in this picture. Nathan loves sticks, and by using that I was
able to engage him by playing a sort of game - picking up garbage with it and
throwing it as far as he could towards the garbage bin, until we arrive there
and put the trash where it belongs. I took this picture because our course readings
have been discussing citizenship in a Canadian context, and I feel that this
speaks to that topic. I felt this visual metaphor could be a great way to start
a discussion/lesson in grade one: my world: home, school, community. Or from another perspective, grade four: waste and our
world.  
 
  
  In regards to citizenship, I believe that
  it is up to the individual to help shape the society we live in. Being a good
  citizen means picking up after yourself, but you can also extend that to
  picking up after others - as Gandhi would say  "be the change you wish to see in the
  world". If your community is dirty, it does not take much time or effort
  to pick up a bit of liter here and there. If everyone picked up one piece of
  garbage throughout the day we would have a much cleaner community. Living in
  a country that relies on its natural resources and is largely unpopulated, we
  need to maintain a clean environment - both at the rural and urban level. As
  model citizens we need to take ownership, responsibility, and stewardship for
  the communities we live in. 
  
 
 
  
  Too often we think
  of citizens as adults, and the youth is seen as a subclass of citizen. This
  is one of the reasons why many young people feel so disconnected with their
  government - they feel as though they cannot make a difference. By showing
  them at  young age that they can make
  big impacts in their communities, I believe they may be more engaged and
  willing to participate in society when they get older. We need to broaden our
  understanding of what constitutes a citizen, it is more than the working,
  taxpaying person who can vote - children will eventually turn into these
  people, as teachers we must engage them so they do not turn into the ancient
  Athenian "Idiot" (Sears 2004). 
  
  
 

# data[].attributes.subject
This is a picture of my girlfriend's son, Nathan.
In this photograph he is enthusiastically picking up litter around the park
with a stick he found. We like to go for walks at the off-leash dog
park, Eliston park - located in the NE corner of Calgary. Many times we will
pick up recyclable containers, and the odd time we will pick up large pieces of
garbage, as seen in this picture. Nathan loves sticks, and by using that I was
able to engage him by playing a sort of game - picking up garbage with it and
throwing it as far as he could towards the garbage bin, until we arrive there
and put the trash where it belongs. I took this picture because our course readings
have been discussing citizenship in a Canadian context, and I feel that this
speaks to that topic. I felt this visual metaphor could be a great way to start
a discussion/lesson in grade one: my world: home, school, community. Or from another perspective, grade four: waste and our
world.  
 
  
  In regards to citizenship, I believe that
  it is up to the individual to help shape the society we live in. Being a good
  citizen means picking up after yourself, but you can also extend that to
  picking up after others - as Gandhi would say  "be the change you wish to see in the
  world". If your community is dirty, it does not take much time or effort
  to pick up a bit of liter here and there. If everyone picked up one piece of
  garbage throughout the day we would have a much cleaner community. Living in
  a country that relies on its natural resources and is largely unpopulated, we
  need to maintain a clean environment - both at the rural and urban level. As
  model citizens we need to take ownership, responsibility, and stewardship for
  the communities we live in. 
  
 
 
  
  Too often we think
  of citizens as adults, and the youth is seen as a subclass of citizen. This
  is one of the reasons why many young people feel so disconnected with their
  government - they feel as though they cannot make a difference. By showing
  them at  young age that they can make
  big impacts in their communities, I believe they may be more engaged and
  willing to participate in society when they get older. We need to broaden our
  understanding of what constitutes a citizen, it is more than the working,
  taxpaying person who can vote - children will eventually turn into these
  people, as teachers we must engage them so they do not turn into the ancient
  Athenian "Idiot" (Sears 2004). 
  
  
 

# data[].attributes.headline
Engaging Youth To Become Active Participants And Model Citizens

# data[].attributes.subject
Engaging Youth To Become Active Participants And Model Citizens

# data[].attributes.headline
Citizenship & Identity In A Canadian Context 

# data[].attributes.subject
Citizenship & Identity In A Canadian Context 