Georgina McMurchy–Barber

Recipient of the 2004 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History

June 3, 2010

Vancouver Montessori School, Vancouver (British Columbia)

Gina McMurchy–Barber's approach to teaching Canadian history begins with concrete experiences and materials that lead to abstract learning. For each history unit she creates board games, puzzles, timelines or matching exercises for her students, ages 6 to 9. By far her most popular lessons are where students learn history through singing, dancing and acting. Music of different historical periods, combined with plays she writes for her classes, form the foundation of her approach that engenders a love and appreciation for history.