Finding Hazel

In this presentation, teacher Rob Bell shares how an unexpected discovery turned a conventional unit on the Spanish Influenza into a rich and personal learning experience.

Hosted by Canada’s History Society

 — Posted February 18, 2020
Read the transcript

While studying the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918-19, Robert’s students discovered that a student who attended their school had died of the disease during the outbreak. By studying the pandemic through the experiences of Hazel, this unit became a personal project for the students and allowed them to find relevance and meaning in a historic event.

This presentation was part of the Making Personal Stories Big panel at the 12th Canada's History Forum, Small Stories, Big Ideas, held on January 19, 2020.

Governor General's History Awards Winner Rob Bell is a grades 5/6 teacher at Dundas Central Public School in Dundas, Ontario. He is a recipient of the 2019 Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching.

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