Secondary School

The summer home of Canada’s foremost humorist, The Stephen Leacock Museum & National Historic Site, is situated on a 9.5 acre site on the shores of Lake Couchiching. This historic and natural site provides an ideal setting for Curriculum-based programs in English and Canadian & World Studies.

Our programs offer students and teachers the opportunity to engage in experiential learning where students are active participants in learning through observation, exploration, hands-on experiences and interaction with their peers.

Program Information:

  • Price: $2.00 per student
  • Program Length: 1.5 hours
  • Parking: bus parking is available
  • Outreach: Museum staff can deliver a program in your school for an additional fee. Call for more information.

For More Information and To Book:

Call (705) 329-1908 ext. 803

ENGLISH

 Grade
9—English (ENG1A)
  • Emphasis will be placed on
    analytical reading and communication as students explore
    examples of literary pieces by Stephen Leacock.  At the
    same time, the elements of style will be explored.
Grade 10—English (ENG2A)
  • Students will explore examples
    of literary and informational texts, and identify and explore
    the elements of style in short stories, opinion papers and
    biographies.  Students will work in groups and share
    their discoveries.
Grade 11—English & Canadian Literature (ENG3U, ENG3C, ENG3E, ETC3M)
  • Leacock is recognized internationally for his contributions to the genre of
    humour. Students will read Leacock’s work and explore some literary techniques used to convey humour and satire.
  • English: Students will compose their own humorous piece.Canadian Literature: Students will examine how Leacock influenced the development of literature and humour in Canada.

 
Grade 12—English & Studies in Literature (ENG4U, ENG4C, ETS4U)
  • Students will analyze some works with an emphasis on ideas and themes in the social, cultural, and economic context of Leacock’s writing. Students will be asked to write a contemporary humorous piece.
Grade
12/OAC—Writer’s Craft (EWC4U)
  • Students will analyze some of the works of Leacock for elements of technique and style, meaning, voice and audience. Students will have the opportunity to compose a humorous piece and assess their works.

CANADIAN

AND

WORLD STUDIES

 Grade 12—Canadian History & Politics in the 20th Century (CHC2D, CHC2P,
CPC30)
  • Through an interactive tour, students will explore the 1928 summer home of Stephen Leacock and examine artifacts that provide insight into his life and the events of the time. Students will analyze primary documents and explore Leacock’s views on issues including imperialism, immigration, government and Canada’s participation in W.W.I.
Grade
12/OAC—Canada: History, Identity and Culture  (CHI4U)
  • A world renowned author of
    humour, politics and economics, Stephen Leacock’s writings influenced the development of Canadian culture and identity both nationally and internationally. Through an examination of primary documents on issues such as Canada’s role in W.W.I, the role of women, imperialism and foreign affairs students will assess how Leacock contributed to the evolution of the Canadian identity.

Leacock Inspires

F. Scott Fitzgerald & the New Generation

  • My Dear Mr Leacock: As imitation is the sincerest flattery I thought you might be interested in something you inspired. … The two stories I wrote … are of the “Leacock school” of humour – in fact Jemina is rather a steal in places from [your] “Hannah of the Highlands.”  -F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Dear Mr Fitzgerald: Your stories are fine. As Daniel Webster said, or didn’t say, to the citizens of Rochester, “Go on.” Stephen Leacock

Stephen Leacock’s wry wit and deceptively artless prose inspired a new generation of literary lions: F. Scott Fizgerald, Robert Benchely, Robertson Davies, Timothy Findley and undoubtedly a host of voices, yet to be heard.

It was Robertson Davies who eloquently expressed that “Leacock was a genius … who enriched his country and all who are concerned with literature in the land he claimed as his own.”

Read Quotes

"A half truth, like half a brick, is always more forcible as an argument than a whole one. It carries better."