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6-8

Sink or Link?

Project type: Assignment

Related topic:
The Confederation Bridge: P.E.I. Connects

Subjects

History
Social Studies
English Language Arts

Summary

Students create and perform a ballad which reflects the end of the PEI - N.B. ferry service and the construction of a “fixed link.”

Duration

2 to 3 lessons

Purpose

To analyze the pros and cons of building the Confederation Bridge

Before Exploring

Ask students to recall a car ferry ride they have taken or to imagine what it would be like to travel on a car ferry. What can you do on board a car ferry? What would you like about this? What would you dislike? Now imagine that the same ferry system has been replaced by a bridge. How would the trip be different?

Outline the Opportunity

Have students view Clips #1, 7, 8, and 10 on the Confederation Bridge: PEI Connects topic on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Students will then answer the following questions:

What problems were encountered by people using the ferry service?

Why did tourists continue to visit PEI in spite of these problems?

What benefits did the construction of the Confederation Bridge bring to PEI?

What problems were expected with the construction of the bridge?

Briefly discuss the students’ answers. Explain to students that a ballad is a poem that tells a story in simple verse. Divide the class into groups. Students will discuss what might be said in years to come about the cancellation of the ferry service and the construction of the Confederation Bridge and then write a ballad to share their story.

Revisit and Reflect

Each group will perform its ballad for the rest of the class. Encourage students to compare the ideas in the ballads.

Extension

Students can illustrate the story told in their ballad or in a ballad told by one of the other groups.