Scholars disagree about the implications of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action for history educators and curriculum developers. Some scholars contend that responding to these Calls to Action requires rejecting the discipline of history and historical thinking approaches currently being implemented in history and social…

Explains a scavenger hunt to collect items (newspaper clippings, pictures, records, etc.) that represent the influence of the United States on Canadian Culture. The teacher prepares scavenger hunt stations which include items that students have collected. An assessment on items follows the hunt. (KC)

Explores the influence of Jacksonian democracy upon the ideas and activities of William Lyon Mackenzie, a reformer who sparked the 1837 Yonge Rebellion in upper Canada. Examines similarities in several original documents written by Mackenzie and Jackson. (RKM)

Reviews the development of new Ontario History and Contemporary Studies Guidelines directed by Ontario Ministry of Education. Explains changes that occurred in curriculum such as Canadian and U.S. history courses being dropped in favor of a new course entitled "Canada in North American Perspective." Concludes that the new curriculum has…

Explores instruction concerning the Irish role in Canadian history. Suggests that the Irish influence has been downplayed and presented to students in a biased manner. Discusses particular incidents in which Irish people have been portrayed negatively in textbooks and instruction. Argues that Irish Canadians achievements should be celebrated in…

The purpose of this guidebook is to give teachers in British Columbia, Canada a practical resource that will help address issues pertaining to the 500th anniversary of the first European contact with the Americas. The document is a resource teachers can use to get students to think about, talk about, or reflect on the 500 years of contact between…

Observes that little is ever taught in Canadian elementary and secondary social studies about Canada's first Governor General, Lord Charles Stanley Monck. Provides a brief introduction to his activities in the Confederation of the Canadian state that can be used by social studies teachers to construct lessons. (DSK)

Discusses objectives of "Canada in a North American Perspective," a controversial postsecondary course taught as an Ontario Academic Credit course. Argues examination of Canada's perspective and history as a North American nation can benefit from comparison to the United States. Suggests this continentalist approach need not diminish…

In 1997, the Quebec Department of Education, as part of its reform of elementary and secondary curriculum, assigned the responsibility for citizenship education to history teachers. To explain this pairing, three questions are examined: Why must citizens be educated? What contributions do historians bring to our social heritage? How can the…

Presents two puzzles that can be used in the classroom for teaching Canadian history during the world wars. Includes a word find puzzle and a crossword puzzle. Explains that both puzzles include names of major battles, significant events, and personalities from Canada's wartime history. (DK)

Canadians do not have a common history, despite the English-speaking Eurocentric narrative that passes for Canadian history. Rethinking the history curriculum, combined with innovative practices such as using primary historical documents, conducting heritage fairs, and encouraging students to research and produce their own heritage minutes, can…

Provides a sample unit, "Women's Rights in Canada," that uses biographies and autobiographies to enliven the lessons. Suggests ways to introduce the topic at the elementary level. Provides bibliographies of films, human rights materials, Canadian resources, biographies, and autobiographies. (GG)

Cites the problems associated with teaching history: (1) lack of consensus on what and how to teach; (2) the adult perspective from which it is taught; (3) the abstract nature of history content; and (4) the concept of time. Concludes that efforts to include adolescent knowledge, skills, and attitudes should be considered in the history program.…

Provides a lesson plan on the Great Depression in which students examine the social, economic, and political events of the period through a study of radio broadcasting. Describes an activity in which students research the era and create a radio broadcast. Outlines activity guidelines, radio language, and evaluation methods. (RW)

Presents a basis of a history framework for program development in civics in Canadian schools. Identifies elements of government that are associated with civics and selects historical events through which to study these elements. Discusses the history of thought, history as a science, constitutional history, the government, leaders, and national…