Academics
Questions and Artifacts
Even when something appears clear-cut and simple, there’s always more than meets the eye and questions to be asked, as students in Mr. Neil Robertson’s Grade 9 social studies classes found out last week.
Mr. Robertson and Shawnigan’s archivist and curator Mrs. Sarah Teunis-Russ brought four different artifacts from the School’s history in front of the students and asked them to write down as many questions as they could come up with about the history and context of the objects.
The artifacts included a Shawnigan yearbook from around the time the students were born, the T-shirt donated to the School by 2024 graduate Marina Musleh that played a big part in her journey out of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, a ledger listing students from the early years of the School, and a cane owned by a former teacher (and covered with a unique material).
In addition to learning about the artifacts, the students learned about closed and open questions. Closed questions are definitive, with straightforward answers and no debate, such as who, what, when, and where. Open questions require a longer answer and are often up for discussion.
“You need closed questions to build a base before you can ask open questions,” Mr. Robertson explained.
As well as asking questions, the students identified which of them were closed questions and which were open.
“It was cool to see the different questions they had,” Mr. Robertson said. “The students really enjoyed it, and it was nice working with Mrs. Teunis-Russ and getting the archives involved.”
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
