Story telling in architecture

Every Building Tells a StoryOverviewA building is a window into the past. It tells us stories about people. In this unit students will expand their understanding of their heritage and culture through the examination of architectural images and exploration of Charlottetown architecture. The unit could readily be adapted to your local community.Links to Curriculum OutcomesStudents will (be expected to) use spatial concepts and models to interpret and make decisions about the organization, distribution, and interaction of physical and human phenomena (Social Studies)apply concepts associated with time, continuity, and change (Social Studies)derive images through the study of historical images from their own and other’s cultures (Visual Arts)askdiscriminating questions to acquire, interpret, analyze, and evaluate ideas and information (Language Arts)Links to Telling Stories: Themes / Key WordsArt as source for historical informationPhotos as documentary and artSetting, time, and placeArtWork(s)Market dayQueen’s SquareCharlottetown,Robert Harris, CAG H-115Hillsborough Square,Charlottetown P.E.I.,Robert Harris, CAG H-221Queen Street, Charlottetown, Robert Harris, CAG H-122On Charlottetown Square, Robert Harris, CAG H-121Photo of Roger’s HomeRobert Harris Collection, CAG H-1911AOld St. Dunstan’s Cathedral with Parliament Buildings,RH Collection, CAG H-1892Developed bySuggested LengthSuggested Grade Level(s)Subject AreasElizabeth WendtLesson #1: Three 80 minute classes Lesson # 2: Two 80 minute classesLesson # 3: Three 80 minute classesLesson #4: Four+ 80 minute classes10, 11, 12Social Studies, Visual ArtsLanguage Arts, Housing
Photo of Queen’s Square,RH Collection, CAG H-8890.7All Saints Anglican Church Springhill Mines, N.S., W.C. Harris, CAG H-8156St. Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Church, St. Teresa’s, P.E.I.,W.C. Harris, CAG H-8186All Soul’s Chapel, Charlottetown W.C. Harris, CAG H-8187Methodist Chapel, Robert Harris, CAG H-193Lesson #1:Timely TransformationsObjectiveStudents will examine images from the past that depict buildings and towns from their own communities. They will compare these images with photographs taken at the present locations and will exhibit them side-by-side.Related Art WorksMarket day,Queen’s Square,Charlottetown, Robert Harris, CAG H-115Hillsborough Square,Charlottetown P.E.I., Robert Harris, CAG H-221Queen Street, Charlottetown, Robert Harris, CAG H-122On Charlottetown Square, Robert Harris, CAG H-121Photo of Roger’s Home, Robert Harris Collection, CAG H-1911AOld St. Dunstan’s Cathedral with Parliament Buildings,RH Collection, CAG H-1892Photo of Queen’s Square,RH Collection, CAG H-8890.7Materialsa recent map of the local town or communitycameras and filmActivities1.Show students images (drawings, paintings, and/or photos) of old Charlottetown by Robert Harris. 2.Discuss how time has affected the places people inhabit and how they live:What changes have occurred in the last one hundred years that might have changed the look of a town?Why have some towns grown larger while other towns have almost disappeared? Identify visible changes to the buildings.3.Have students research their own city, town, or community. Local archives and heritage societies are good sources of information.