Activities for "Tunnels of Time"

Prohibition and alcohol are discussed in depth in this fiction novel.

"Tunnels of Time" is a Canadian children's novel written by Mary Harlekin Bishop. The book is part of the "Moose Jaw" series, about adventures that take place in the Moose Jaw section of Saskatchewan. Based on actual tunnels recently discovered in Moose Jaw, this work of fiction describes the adventures of a 13 year old girl who is transported back in time to the days of Prohibition and becomes a 1920's illegal runner for prohibitionists.

Journal Activities

Journal activities to accompany this novel are terrific writing practice, and this novel provides material for many different journal topics. Students can explore prohibition and imagine the outcome of these historical events in present-day time. Students can discuss the relationship between Andrea and Ol' Scarface and discuss why they think Ol' Scarface makes Andrea nervous. Assign students a journal entry discussing the morality and validity of choices made by characters in the book.

Create a Newspaper

Divide students into groups and assign each group a different section of the newspaper to recreate a 1920's Saskatchewan paper. Assign one group to correctly research and create advertisements for the paper. Assign another group to write an article about 1920s politics. Then assign a third group to write opinion pieces. For fun, assign one group of students to become sensationalist journalists, and write creative stories using characters and details from the novel.

Researching Gender Roles

"Tunnels of Time" makes several references to gender roles. Assign students to compare gender roles from the 1920's with present day gender roles and compose a thoughtful essay on this topic. Instruct students to include attitudes toward girls, what girls were allowed to wear, and how and why the girls were allowed in the tunnels in the novel. Direct students to include opinions regarding whether the changed gender roles are fair in present day and if they seemed fair in the past.

Host a Debate

After reading "Tunnels of Time" and studying the novel's historical roots, host a debate between the students regarding the issue of prohibition. Study real political debates and assign students to defend each side of the issue. This project can be a long term project, as students will need to take turns debating and will need time to research the points for debate.

References

• Tunnels of Time: Mary Harlekin Bishop: 2000
• Tunnels of Time: A Moose Jaw Adventure: A Study Guide: Mary Harlekin Bishop and Eileen Deneiko: 2001
• Tunnels of Time: Novel Study by Velma Corbett