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Women's History

Agnes Macphail


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Agnes Macphail biography from The Canadians series. In 1921, Agnes Macphail became the first woman Member of Parliament elected to the Canadian House of Commons. In the 19 years that she served in office, she fought for prison reform, disarmament, and equal pay for equal work for women. She was a major character in the changing role of women, and the advancement of women in politics.

Aims


In a variety of role-playing and writing activities,...
Women's History

A Letter from a Woman in the Second World War



Overview


Students will use primary source evidence in order to take on historical perspectives related to women in war. This lesson is intended to be an activating experience for a unit on the Second World War. The lesson procedure assumes that students have prior experience using primary source evidence (e.g., know how to read and interpret documents) and an understanding of the six historical concepts, in particular the ability to take historical perspectives.

Aims


1. To engage in an...

Remembrance: Understanding Canadian History Through Literature


Overview


A book club novel study for senior academic English and/or History students focusing on Canada’s role – at home and abroad - in the two world wars.

Aims

The purposes of this unit are to allow students:

  • to share, with a small group of peers, their experience with a Canadian war novel
  • to learn how literature serves as a valuable expression and record of history
  • to recognize and express how literature presents the stories of Canada differently from historic records or history texts
  • to...
Military History

The Great War Simulation Activity


Overview


Groups of students are faced with the difficulties of logistics through prioritizing supplies needed to sustain soldiers after a devastating raid on their trench during the Great War. Students must think critically to decide between the competing needs of their soldiers. A discussion of the realities faced by decision-makers will lead to a better understanding of the requirements of modern industrial warfare.

Aims


  • To familiarize students with some of the equipment and supplies needed...
Military History

Artifact Creation Activity


Overview


Students will pursue research in an area of their choice (or within teacher set guidelines) to create a pseudo-historical artifact.

Aims


  • For students to gain an appreciation of the value of historical artifacts and documents
  • For students to gain familiarity with primary sources
  • For students to learn how to read various visual texts including historical artifacts
  • For students to pursue a large scale, kinaesthetic project
  • To bring history alive and have students develop a deeper...
Military History

Technology in World War One: Arms Auction


Overview


This lesson introduces technology used in World War One in an interactive and fun way. Students will learn what weapons were important in trench warfare.

Aims


Students will work collaboratively to identify and "acquire" weapons they think would have been most effective.

Background


This lesson is normally presented after the students have been introduced to the causes of World War One. However, the actual conditions of trench warfare have not been discussed - their choices in the...

Jennie Trout



Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Jennie Trout Heritage Minute. It explores Trout's courage and determination to enter the male dominated field of medicine in the 1870s. She became the first woman licensed to practice medicine in Canada.

Aims


Students will use the example of Jennie Trout to learn about and question gender-role stereotypes in her time and in the present. Students will examine the experiences of Jennie Trout and Emily Stowe within the larger context of the history...

Using the Minutes to Think Critically


Overview


The Heritage Minutes illustrate the possibilities of story-telling. This critical thinking exercise will help guide you through the deconstruction of four Heritage Minutes: Peacemaker, Vikings, John Cabot, and Jacques Cartier. The activities can be easily adapted to any of the Heritage Minutes you want to use in your classroom.

Aims


An invaluable skill for any student is the ability to critically examine available historical evidence and develop an awareness of its possibilities, as...
Immigration

Soddie


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Heritage Minute, "Soddie," that focuses on the realities that immigrants in the 1880's faced when they arrived on the Canadian Prairie.

Aims


Students will explore the myths and realities of immigration in the 1880s. Students will create posters and speeches "selling" the idea of immigration, and will role-play the experiences that immigrants would have had once they arrived on the Canadian Prairie.

Students will compare Clifford Sifton's immigration...

Orphans


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Heritage Minute, "Orphans," that tells the story of the Québec families who adopted Irish orphans in the 1850's.

Aims


Students will learn more about the experiences and histories of immigrants in Canada by interviewing people in the community and classmates. They will also discuss ways to make immigrants feel welcome in their new homes.

Students will research the history of various immigrant groups in Canada, and discuss the relationship between...
Pre-Confederation

John Cabot


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Heritage Minute, "John Cabot." It was John Cabot's 1497 "discovery" of North America that led to the development of the North West Atlantic cod fishery, and England's claim to the new continent.

Aims


The "John Cabot" Minute is the starting point for an examination of several topics.

With role-playing activities and further research, students will study the Atlantic cod fishery, and consider the role of "explorers."

Students will study: resource...
Pre-Confederation

Jacques Cartier


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Heritage Minute, "Jacques Cartier," which presents the theory that Canada may have been named after a misunderstanding took place between Jacques Cartier and the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) people.

Aims


Students will explore the relationships between the Indigenous people and early explorers by looking at the First Nations' contributions to European survival, and issues of miscommunication. Students will learn about France's motives for exploration of...

Joseph Casavant


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Heritage Minute, "Joseph Casavant." From the first organ that he built in 1840, Joseph Casavant established himself – and his Company, Casavant Frères – as one of the leading pipe organ builders in Canada.

Aims


Students will study the kinds of music that are important to different generations, cultures, and religious groups. They will also consider the role and history of various handmade crafts.

Using the "Casavant" Minute as the starting point,...

Hart & Papineau


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Heritage Minute, "Hart & Papineau." Under the tenure of Louis-Joseph Papineau, the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada passed a bill in 1832 that ultimately guaranteed full rights to people practicing the Jewish faith. It was the first of the British colonies to do so.

Aims


After discussing and making sense of the events that take place in the "Hart and Papineau" Minute, students will watch additional related Heritage Minutes to develop their...

Vikings



Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Heritage Minute, "Vikings." Five hundred years before Columbus set foot on the islands of the Caribbean, Norse settlers were living in what is now a part of Canada. Proof of this Viking settlement was discovered in 1961.


Aims


Students will hone their critical thinking skills by discussing how the Vikings and the First Nations are portrayed in the "Viking" Heritage Minute. Students will do further research about the Norse to increase their depth...

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