Seeds for Change - A Curriculum Guide for Worker-Centred Literacy

Now, return to the news article and do assisted reading as a group. The instructor reads one paragraph at a time aloud while participants follow along silently. Then the instructor and participants read aloud together. Finally, ask for volunteers to read aloud.

Where the government cuts were made

Distribute handout # 13a - where the government cuts were made. Have participants look at the three charts on the 1st page of the handout and discuss what the charts are about.

Clarify which chart relates to each of the following:

the number of water plants inspected each year
the number of people employed by the ontario Ministry of the environment
the amount of money spent by the ontario government on the environment

See if participants can make some statements and draw some preliminary conclusions about the cuts.

Now, have participants turn to handout # 13b and complete the blanks in the statements. They can work in pairs or in small groups Demonstrate how to calculate percentages as necessary. When the participants have finished, check the responses and review the calculations.

Ask participants, What do these cuts tell us about the priorities of the conservative government in Ontario? who pays? who profits? Discuss.

Possible follow-up activities

Participants can:

watch the media for further reports on Walkerton
watch the media for water testing reports on other communities
watch the media for reports on the Ministry of the Environment
find out who your local provincial members of parliament are and talk with some of them about water issues and privatization