Historica Canada Education Portal

A healthy democratic society functions best when its population is educated and engaged as active and informed citizens. This tool is designed to help educators help students think critically about the history and basic principles of the justice system in Canada. The tool focuses specifically on certain key moments, documents, and institutions that are fundamental to the origin and development of the current system in Canada.

View the Learning Tool in Flipping Book format here:
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This guide is designed to give educators tools to help students think critically about the history of voting rights in Canada. The guide complements the Voting Rights in Canada: A Select Timeline video by expanding on featured timeline points and providing activities to help students explore the history of voting rights in more depth. While the education guide activities follow a chronological order, the lessons may be used in order or on their own.

Download the guide and worksheets below, or...

This education guide examines some key moments and figures in our history as part of an introduction to multiculturalism in Canada. By learning the history of how multiculturalism has grown and been treated in Canada, we can better understand our society today.

Hundreds of Indigenous nations and cultures had long since been interacting and flourishing on the continent by the time European explorers first set foot in what we now call Canada. In the centuries since, settlers and immigrants from...

This guide is designed to support teachers and students as they explore Canada’s constitutional monarchy and the role the monarchy plays in Canada’s history, culture and identity as the nation celebrates the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne.

Sir John A. Macdonald and the Fathers of Confederation are among the most famous — and controversial — Canadians in history. Using an approach developed by the Historical Thinking Project, this learning tool challenges students to think critically about Confederation and draw meaningful conclusions by examining evidence. This tool was developed for junior/intermediate social studies, history and civics classes from grades 5–8 and grade 5 to secondary II within Québec.

Sir John A. Macdonald and the Fathers of Confederation are among the most famous – and controversial – Canadians in history. Using an approach developed by the Historical Thinking Project, this learning tool challenges students to think critically about Confederation and draw meaningful conclusions by examining evidence. This tool was developed for social studies, history and civics classes in grades 9–12 and secondary III to secondary V within Québec.

The Key Moments in Indigenous History Timeline poster that accompanies the Indigenous Perspectives Education Guide, provides a chronological overview of Indigenous history in what is now Canada from time immemorial to present.

This timeline is designed to accompany Historica Canada’s Indigenous Perspectives Education Guide, which includes lesson plans and classroom activities based on the Historical Thinking Concepts. Download the Guide at...

The Citizenship Challenge ESL Lesson Plans and Worksheets are educational resources for English as a Second Language teachers, group leaders and individuals to help them prepare for Historica Canada's Citizenship Challenge, a national contest that asks students to take a mock citizenship exam.

Teachers and group leaders, register to access the answer keys.

Note: Although the ESL Lesson Plans and Worksheets refer to the Discover Canada guide, it is not necessary for educators to obtain or...

The Citizenship Challenge Lesson Plans and Worksheets are educational resources for teachers, group leaders and individuals to help them prepare for Historica Canada's Citizenship Challenge, a national contest that asks students to take a mock citizenship exam.

Teachers and group leaders, register to access the answer keys.

Note: Although the Lesson Plans and Worksheets refer to the Discover Canada guide, it is not necessary for educators to obtain or use the Discover Canada guide to complete...

In 2017, Canada turns 150! In marking Canada’s sesquicentennial, Historica Canada is highlighting 50 events that have helped shape our country since Confederation. At the same time, it is important to note that that the human history of what is now known as Canada began well before 1867. Indigenous peoples lived on this land long before European contact, and have histories that significantly predate modern Canada. We can look back upon many proud moments in our history, but must also examine...

To mark the 175th birthday of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Historica Canada has created this Education Guide on Canadian history during Laurier’s life and the importance of his legacy.

It invites students to deepen their understanding of Laurier’s role in Canada’s evolution, and how his politics shaped Canada’s future, through primary- and secondary-source research and analysis, engaging discussion questions and group activities. The Guide asks students to look at Canada’s...

The 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 presents an opportunity for Canadians to turn their attention to this significant time in the country’s history. The War of 1812 had a major impact on the future of British North America and, in particular, on the continent’s Aboriginal peoples, many of whom played an important role in protecting the Canadas (Upper and Lower Canada; now Ontario, Québec and Labrador) from American invasion.

This mini unit for intermediate/senior-level classes helps students to understand and analyze the key ideas and challenges that preceded Saskatchewan’s entry into Confederation. The first section deals with the debates in the provincial and/or federal legislatures, while the second section addresses more specifically founding treaty negotiations with the First Nations. Each section can be taught independently.

The activities and attached materials will help students understand the diversity...

This mini-unit for intermediate/senior-level classes helps students to understand and analyze the key ideas and challenges that preceded the creation of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The first section deals with the debates in the provincial and/or federal legislatures, while the second section addresses more specifically founding treaty negotiations with the First Nations. Each section can be taught independently.

The activities and attached materials will help students understand the diversity...

This mini-unit for senior-level classes helps students to understand and analyze the key ideas and challenges that preceded Prince Edward Island’s entry into Confederation. The first section deals with the debates in the provincial and/or federal legislatures, while the second section addresses more specifically founding treaty negotiations with the First Nations. Each section can be taught independently.

The activities and attached materials will help students understand the diversity of...