Lessons

Schooling Then and Now

In this lesson students interpret primary source documents such as a floor plan, first person accounts, and school inspector's report to understand schooling in 19th century New Brunswick and compare it to schooling today. Particular attention is given to examination of the curriculum, discipline and classroom management, class composition, and teachers. At the conclusion of the series of lessons, students consider "In what ways is education in New Brunswick better or worse today than in the 19th Century?"

Road to Universal Health Care in Canada

Universal health care is considered to be a social program that makes Canada unique. But how did this happen? What lead to the creation of universal health care? The lesson begins by having students examine the biographies of two people who have made a difference in the world and the factors that lead them to take action. The concept of Cause and Consequence and Historical Significance are used in the remainder of the lesson, which explores how Tommy Douglas and others created social services in Canada.

Reconstructing a Survivor's Life After Genocide

Students will examine a series of traces and accounts exchanged by a Holocaust survivor located in Sweden and members of his extended family in Saint John, New Brunswick. The sources should offer clues regarding Michael Fried's activities, thoughts, and feelings as he attempts to regain his health and to right himself in a world drastically altered.

Put Your Stamp on Canada: the Development of the Welfare State

In pairs or small groups, students construct a timeline of the historical development of one aspect of Canada's Welfare State. The suggested social programs for study include Family Allowance, Medicare, Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan.

Students then write a letter to Canada Post advocating the adoption of an image that portrays a historically significant event in the development of one of Canada's social programs.

Rebellions of 1837 - Exploring Cause and Consequence

Exemplary example of Cause and Consequence

Funding and support for the development of this lesson plan is as a result of a grant from Alberta Education to support implementation of the K-12 Social Studies curriculum. Financial and in-kind support was also provided by the Calgary Regional Consortium (www.crcpd.ab.ca).

The Ups and Downs of Immigration

In this lesson students examine how immigration policy in Canada has changed over time. Students draw from a list of events and changes in immigration policy to research the effects these had on immigration in Canada. Students are required to research why the event happened or the policy was created and how it affected Canada. Students then provide a reasoned judgment on whether these events should be considered as positive or negative developments in Canadian history.

Perspectives on Alberta Treaty 7 (1877)

The students will first develop an appreciation of the broad content related to Treaty 7 in Alberta. Students will have a brief opportunity to view and discuss the original Treaty 7 document via the Smartboard. Then, students will identify and evaluate multiple historical perspectives on the concepts and issues related to the treaty. In groups, students will work through one historical perspective. Each group will share a summary of their historical perspective with the rest of the class.

Peering Through the Past Through Paintings

The purpose of this lesson is to create a secondary historical source that attempts to portray the lives of those who lived long ago, much as Gordon Miller's 1850 painting of the Ninstints village captures a time long past. 

Origins of a Western Worldview: Renaissance Europe - A Mind Mapping Experience

This lesson is intended as a culminating activity for a unit on worldviews. At the end of this lesson, students will be able to identify threads of continuity and change between Renaissance and present day worldviews — historical worldviews versus present Canadian worldviews — as well as causes and consequences that led to changes in world view. Utilizing a mind map graphic organizer, students work through a series of activities to help them make these connections.

Métis People in Alberta - Then and Now

In this lesson students engage in a deliberative inquiry to research a prominent Métis person from Alberta. Teachers lead students through an exploration of the concept of historical significance. Using the criteria for historical significance, students work individually or with a partner to create a biography in a simple written format. Students are asked to draw on the information they collect to judge the historical significance of the person they studied. Student(s) then share their findings with the class. 

Pages