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Tom Thomson


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Tom Thomson biography from The Canadians series. Thomson is famous for his paintings of the Canadian landscape and his association with members of what became known as The Group of Seven painters.

Aims


In a series of brainstorming and writing activites, students will learn about Tom Thomson, The Group of Seven, and Canadian art.

Background


From amateur artist to national icon, Tom Thomson sprang into Canada’s collective memory in only a few short...

Northern Dancer


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Northern Dancer biography from The Canadiansseries. In 1964, Northern Dancer was the first Canadian horse to win the Kentucky Derby. This famous Canadian racehorse also became the first non-human to be inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Aims


In a variety of writing, role-playing and creative activities, students will explore the importance of Northern Dancer's accomplishments to Canadian history and identity.

Background


E.P. Taylor...

To Walk a Mile in Your Shoes


Overview


The aim of this lesson plan is to develop the concept of citizenship and immigration by requiring students to explore, reflect, and empathize with the situations and feelings that new immigrants experience. Students will be required to produce a short dramatization to demonstrate this. Students will explore what it would feel like to be an immigrant coming into Canada. They will explore different real life situations and empathize with the frustrations, excitement, and realities of...

Sam Steele


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Sam Steele biography from The Canadiansseries. Sam Steele, knighted by the King of England, was a courageous, determined man who helped "tame" Western Canada as one of the most important leaders of the North West Mounted Police.

Aims


Steele was directly involved in several pivotal events in Canadian history – everything from dealing with Louis Riel, Sitting Bull, and the miners in the Klondike Gold Rush to his involvement in the Boer War. The...

Northrop Frye


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Northrop Frye biography from The Canadians series. It explores the life and writings of Frye, who was one of Canada's greatest thinkers. He struggled with questions about Canadian identity and the nature of Canada with depth and humour. His ideas and passion have influenced many of today's writers and thinkers.

Aims


These activities challenge students to explore the issues and ideas that Frye wrote about and taught. Students will explore these...

William "Bible Bill" Aberhart


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the William Aberhart biography from The Canadians series. Former school principal turned Baptist preacher, William Aberhart took Alberta politics by storm in the 1935 election. During the Depression, his promise of a $25 dividend to every citizen struck a winning note for his recently created Social Credit Party. His schemes didn't pan out, but his party ruled Alberta until 1971.

Aims


With writing, debates, and role-playing activities, students will be...

Mi'kmaq Storytelling


Overview


To have students demonstrate an understanding of the importance of oral tradition and beliefs in early Mi'kmaq society.

Aims


To have students create their own belief story and petroglyph.

Background


As part of the social studies curriculum students should develop an understanding of the traditional ways of life and beliefs of the Mi'kmaq. They will work to create a story that might be told by the early Mi'kmaq people in order to gain a greater understanding of the importance of the...
Social History

Morris "Two Gun" Cohen


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the "Two Gun" Cohen biography from The Canadians series. The video combines both the biography of a unique Canadian, Morris Cohen, with a history of modern China. Cohen, was an outcast and criminal within Canadian society, but he made a significant global contribution as Dr. Sun Yat-sen's personal bodyguard and close friend.

Aims


Students will study the story of "Two Gun" Cohen to learn more about a variety of themes in Canadian and World history....

Symbols of Canada


Overview


In this lesson students recognize symbols as Canadian, they present their significance, and find its place in the Coat of Arms of Canada.

Aims


To familiarize students with symbols and what they represent, to develop an awareness of self, group, and Canada.

Students will:

- Research the significance of symbols found in the Arms of Canada.
- Develop research skills to investigate the meaning of each symbol.
- Present orally the findings of their research.
- Locate the position of each...

Reflecting on Responsibility


Overview


This lesson will introduce the students to the role of the stretcher bearer in the First World War. Often it is the soldier in the trench who is remembered for his bravery and duty, risking his life for hiscountry. It is important to remember that in war, as in society, there are other roles, such as the stretcher bearers, who also have an important responsibility. These cannot be overlooked. Students will explore and discover the experiences of the stretcher bearer through poetry,...

First World War Newspaper


Overview


Students create a newspaper, from a distinct perspective, that exemplifies an event of the First World War. This project can be modified to the Second World War. The full assignment is attached below.

Aims


Students will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of a specific aspect of the Great War. Students will gain competence is print presentation methods. Other goals can be added to this project to meet specific teacher's needs and curricular outcomes.

Background


This project...

Hyberia - A Simulation


Overview


The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the importance of culture and language in order to explore the question of French-English relations in modern Canadian history. Through a simulation that mirrors the French-English conflicts in the late twentieth century, students can explore the issues without being affected by their personal biases. This lesson was developed to teach French-English relations in Western Canada where students tend to have difficulty...

Joseph Tyrrell



Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the J.B Tyrrell biography from The Canadians series. Tyrrell was an important geological surveyor for the Canadian government in the late nineteenth century. Among his many achievements, he mapped the North, discovered coal, and the remains of what became known as the Albertasaurus.


Aims


Although there is now a museum in Tyrrell's honour, he was not recognized for his achievements in his lifetime. Students will research Tyrrell's achievements,...

If These Walls Could Talk: History as a lens to the past


Overview

During this unit of study, students will explore the individuals who made significant contributions to our history and the Canadian identity. This project could also be completed using provincial histories and identities.

The students will research Indigenous peoples and past explorers using multi-media (online resources and informational texts). They are expected to use this research to make a wall of a related structure, create a voice of the structure and present that to the class....

Interview with a Historical Figure from New France


Overview


This lesson will guide students as they learn about a significant number of concepts and facts related to New France through the study of an historical figure.

Aims


This lesson is based on an interview format, with open-ended questions and detailed, full-sentence answers, a portrait of the person, a drawn geographical map, and a timeline (indicating important dates in the person's life and important dates in the corresponding history of the country).

Background


All too often, research...

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