Unit 1 Communication: Opening Up Opportunities
Early Inklings (essay by John Updike)
Students can read this interview with Updike to find out more about
the author. Note that there are links from this site to discussion groups.
You may want to print out the interview for students to read, rather
than directing them to this site. Note also that some mature language
is used in the interview.
Students can check out the links on this site to find out more about
Updike's life and works. Encourage students to choose one of the movies
listed to watch and discuss.
Invites students to listen to the short story, "The Witnesses"
by Updike. Small groups can discuss the story and the reading.
Students can check out the resources this ministry site offers. Discuss
how students go about looking for summer jobs, and whether they have
ever had any experiences like Updike's. Encourage students to tell stories
about their own "early inklings" about their future careers.
This rich site offers information on career planning, job search and
interview skills, transferable and job-related skills, résumés,
cover letters, and provides many links to other related sites. Students
can take tests about their résumé, complete checklists
about what they want in a job, respond to questions about a job they've
found, read tips on the job search and interview process, and much more.
After they have checked out the information on this site, students can
discuss what they find difficult about looking for a job.
Letterpress Background (photo by Jayme Thornton)
This is the "Landscape" (or "Travel") Web page for
the photographer of the image that accompanies "Early Inklings."
Students can view and discuss these photos by Thornton, choosing one
particular photo to compare with the one in the anthology.
Note that photos on other parts of Thornton's Web site (particularly
"Fashion" and "People") include provocative (but
not obscene) images of women and men. You may want to bookmark the "Landscape"
page for students, and supervise their viewing of any other images on
Star Food (short story by Ethan Canin)
This short article on Ethan Canin provides some insight into an interesting
writer. Encourage students to discuss what Canin says in this article
about characters, applying this viewpoint to "Star Food."
Students can read this interview and discuss the career of writer. Note
that there are ads on this newspaper's Web site.
By linking to this site, students can listen to a Canin speech or read
an interview with Canin, or an excerpt from one of his books.
In "Star Food," Dade has problems with his job and working
in the store. For students in similar situations, you might suggest
that they read this article and discuss those points they agree with
most. Ask students about the audience for this piece, and then challenge
them to rewrite the piece from an employee's point of view.
Man Looking at the Cosmos (painting by Alberto Ruggieri)
This Web page includes six paintings by the artist of the image that
accompanies "Star Food." Note that some images include mature
subject matter and you may want to supervise students' viewing of this
site. Encourage students to read the short note about the artist and
Students can visit this stock art site to view illustrative works by
Ruggieri. After examining these images, small groups can discuss the
purpose of this Web site, and how the artwork on this page differs from
the other works of the artist they have seen.
A Photographer at Work (photo essay by Vincenzo Pietropaolo
with text by Andrew Gorham)
Pioneer Award Winner
This Web site features a short bio for Pietropaolo who received the
New Pioneer Award in 1996. Students could consider the reason he was
probably given this award, comparing that reason with why others listed
on this site may have received the same award. Ask: What conclusions
can you draw about recipients of this award? Do you know anyone who
should receive the award? Explain.
Students can read information on this site about a book, Kensington,
for which Pietropaolo provided the photos, as well as reading a brief
biography for him. Discuss the photo that appears on the cover of the
book, and how it is like or unlike the photos in "A Photographer
Encourage students to check out the photos (especially the black-and-white
ones) by various photographers on this site. At the time of writing,
these photos were entirely appropriate. Note, you may want to preview
the photos in case the photographers and photos change and reflect more
mature subject matter (a good precaution with all sites that hold images).
Canadian News Photographers
Encourage students to view some of the amazing images on this site.
Students can choose the image they think most effective or provocative
and write a short note about its contents and techniques.
Students can visit this Web site for Alberta photographer Patrick Price,
which provides images of people at work and play. Ask students to compare
Price and Pietropaolo's photos of people at work. Which group of photos
do they prefer? Why? What statement about work do they think each photographer
is trying to make.
- Invite students to choose at least five photos by this photographer
that they would select for a photo essay called "At Work"
(or "At Play" if they prefer). Discuss the criteria for,
and elements of, a photo essay, using "A Photographer at Work"
as a model. To complete their photo essay, they can create a file
that links to the five photos they have chosen. Based on the information
provided with each photo students can develop titles or captions,
as well as a brief summary or thesis statement for the entire essay.
Discuss with students copyright issues connected with using the
materials of others, and how these materials should be credited.
Safety and Health
This is a Web site for Human Resources Development Canada that focusses
on workplace safety. As students are discussing Pietropaolo's photos,
bring up the issue of workplace safety. How safe do the jobs in these
photos seem? What news articles have students read or heard about recently
about accidents or deaths in the workplace? What ads do they see or
hear about the importance of workplace safety? How important do students
think it is that they know about workplace safety and their rights in
- After your discussion, direct groups of students to explore each
part of the "Labour Operations" site, and discuss some
of the points it raises about workplace safety, past accidents,
and their prevention.
- Students can click on the "Home" button to reach the
first page of the Human Resources Development Canada site and then
investigate other workplace issues such as equity.
Hard Edges, Soft Skills (expository essay by Ann Coombs)
Students can explore various parts of this site to read about Coombs
or her book.
Note: You will need to select "AR - Business Communication
Skills" and "All Nugget Types" to access the Communication Tips.
This Web page provides links to articles and quotes about communicating,
especially as relating to business. Students might find the Top 10 lists
and the WordZ feature most interesting.
- Encourage students to visit this Web page and link to at least
three articles. Particularly helpful on the topic of communication
are some of the following: "The Top 10 Questions to ask yourself
about how you communicate," "The Top 10 Things That Are
'Off' in a Person's Speaking/Relating Style," "The Top
10 Mistakes Most Often Made in Communicating," or "The
Top 10 Most Effective Things That You Can Say."
- Invite students to develop a Top 10 list that Coombs might have
written about the "soft" skills she speaks of in her essay.
Skills Worth Cultivating
Encourage students to read this article about how communication and
critical thinking skills can help them build a career. Students can
compare what this article says with what "Hard Edges, Soft Skills"
This Web page provides many links to various online IQ, EQ, career,
language, and other tests students can take. Select some appropriate
tests for students to test their soft skills and workplace aptitudes.
Note that this is a commercial Web site with banner and flashing ads
with content that may not be appropriate—casino sites "pop-up"
for example when clicking on some tests. Also, some of the tests are
not appropriate—specifically those in the "Purity" and
"Relationships" categories. You should not direct
students to this site, but select tests for them to complete.
Problem With Testing for Soft Skills
As a class, read and discuss this article on workplace testing from
the Ottawa Citizen. Ask students: When applying for a part-time or summer
job, have you ever been given a test? Did they test seem appropriate
to the job you were applying for? Why or why not? How do you feel about
being tested? How do you think you might prepare for such tests? Do
you think there are ways of "beating" such tests?
Invite students to read and discuss this short article about e-mail
and voice mail ettiquette. You may want to point out that in the working
world there will be different rules for communication than in students'
everyday lives. Discuss other rules students think should be added to
this list, developing two lists--one for everyday communications among
friends and family, and one for communications at work. Encourage students
to consider how these rules overlap.
Mud Woman's First Encounter with the World of Money and Business
(narrative poem by Nora Naranjo-Morse)
Students can read about Naranjo-Morse at this site, which includes photos
of some of her clay sculptures. Encourage students to link to other
artists on this site.
Students can read about Naranjo-Morse on this site, as well as linking
to other related sites. Encourage students to read some of her poems
available on line and available through links on this site.
Students can view one of Naranjo-Morse's sculptures on this Web page.
Discuss how this image is similar to and different from Pearlene on
page 37 of the anthology.
- They can use the back and next buttons to view artwork by other
aboriginal artists. Ask students to choose one other image from
this site and write a short piece (story, poem, essay, descriptive
paragraph, diary entry) in response to it.
Students can view the clay sculptures on this Web site for the Wheelwright
Museum of the American Indian. Works include one piece by Naranjo-Morse.
Discuss what the various pieces represent.
The Work Farce (cartoons by Dusan Petricic)
Bio and Images
Students can read a short bio for this artist and view a few examples
of his work. Discuss the style, use of humour, and content of these
works, contrasting and comparing them to those that appear in the anthology.
- This page appears on the Web site for the Association of Canadian
Editorial Cartoonists. Interested students can navigate through
the site, examining the works of other cartoonists. Note that some
subject matter on the rest of this site is mature.
Students can visit this Web site for the International Labour Office
and choose a workplace issue they wish to investigate: such as labour
laws, codes of conduct, the role of globalization, labour trends, et
Ask students if they think Dusan should have added a bully to the ten
types listed in this selection. Why or why not? Given Dusan's characterization
of other types, what would a workplace bully look like? How might others
handle a workplace bully?
- After this discussion, encourage students to read the article
on workplace bullying at this site. What do students think about
the statistic that indicates one in six workers is affected by workplace
bullying? Students can discuss this article in small groups; interested
students might explore this issue further using the related links
at the end of the article.
- Challenge students to use this article as a model as they write
about dealing with one of the ten work types Dusan has included.
Shoe Store (poem by Raymond Souster)
A brief biography and longer bibliography can be found for Souster at
Bibliography and Links
Students can find out what other work Souster has done and awards he
has won, and then link to articles about this poet. Encourage students
to find one of Souster's poetry books and choose one poem from it to
share with the rest of the class.
Summer Job (Poem by Nellie P. Strowbridge)
Students can read about Strowbridge at this site, which includes a short
biography, bibliography, awards, etc.
At this site, interested students can read a novel excerpt from Widdershins
by Strowbridge, or other short excerpts from her short stories. Some
students might wish to read the entire book, and then hold a book discussion
Summer Fish (oil on panel by Mary Pratt)
Bio and Work 1
Students can read a short bio for Pratt and view other examples of her
work. Interested students can view images for other Newfoundland and
Labrador artists by navigating through this Newfound Art Web site.
Bio and Work 2
Students can view other works by Pratt by exploring this site, as well
as reading more about the artist. Students can choose one image from
either site and write a short response to it.
- Interested students could investigate the works of other Newfoundland
and Labrador artists on this Heritage Web site for the Art Gallery
of Newfoundland and Labrador, including Christopher Pratt, Mary
Encourage students to investigate various links that this Web page has
listed for Mary Pratt. One group of students might view paintings by
Pratt, while another group reads articles about the painter. Groups
can then meet to discuss their impressions of the artist based on their
different sources of information.
Screen Test (script by Sally Clark)
Started on an Acting Career
Refer students interested in an acting career to this helpful guide.
They can check out the various links, as well as reading the information
on this page.