JON WHYTE: Keeper of Place

A Teacher’s Guide

Jon Whyte loved words, he loved Banff, and he loved sharing his appreciation for both with people who truly wanted to learn. Unfortunately Jon is no longer here to talk to us in person, but his messages can be heard and felt in his poetry. His work is wrapped up in many layers, big words, and specialized references that make finding your way difficult sometimes. That’s where this Teacher’s Guide comes in. We’ve designed activities and included resources to help you understand Jon’s intent and make meaning of his words. But be warned: significant mental effort is required! Jon was never one to reward those not willing make the effort.

This Guide includes activities that will help you explore the exhibition and relate it to aspects of the social studies, language learning, science, drama, geography, and visual art curriculum. We hope you use it in the spirit in which it is intended: as a kick-starter for ideas, a guide to be shaped through use, and as a starting point for further investigation. Teachers are encouraged to pick and choose, mix and match according to their student’s needs, curriculum requirements, and time constraints.

This Guide was designed with grades 7-9 students in mind, however there are activities that can be adapted for all grade levels. The Guide’s intent is to help teachers and students connect not only with the poems on display, but also with the man who wrote them and his unique view of the world. To foster a general appreciation of poetry and its place in our lives is also one of our goals. Looking, discussing, and hands-on are worked into all activities. Also included is a list of extension ideas that can be used to spark debate, or built into activities of your own. We hope the activities and resources contained in this package help facilitate a process of discovery on many levels for all participants.  

Please let us know how this package worked for you. Most importantly - have fun with these activities and enjoy the exhibit!

Linda Hawke
Coordinator of Museum Programs

Jon Whyte: Keeper of Place || Whyte Museum