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For Teachers
Welcome to the For Teachers section of the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site.
This section provides educational material geared toward students in Grades 6 through 12. You will find ideas for incorporating CBC's Radio and TV archives into your classroom along with lesson plans and activity sheets, which you can download. All our materials are provided at no charge.
The material is presented to complement the topics that you'll find in the rest of the Web site (Trudeaumania, Terry Fox, Africville, and so on). Many but not all of the archival topics have corresponding educational material.
Educators from across the country have created the lessons to meet the needs of teachers and students. Some activities are appropriate for all age groups. Others are grade-specific.
Educators may also be interested in our French-language Radio-Canada archives site that includes its own educational materials.
We are constantly adding new topics and educational activities to the Web site. If you have any suggestions or questions, please contact us.
Featured Lesson Plan
Students role-play a radio broadcast interviewing both an archivist for and a critic of an exhibition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The topic will be the extent of inclusion of Chinese workers in the exhibit.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students research, write, and present oral biographies of two notable Chinese-Canadians who have been recognized for their contributions to society.
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In this introductory activity, students browse the site to find examples of racism, discrimination, and exploitation of Chinese immigrants from the 1880s to 1947.
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Students examine types and degrees of racism and discrimination faced by Chinese-Canadians before and after the Second World War.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will prepare for and participate in a forum on the rising incidence of Type 2 diabetes.
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The Ethics of Xenotransplantation
Students will develop a position paper to present to the WHO about the ethical use of a new medical protocol touted to be a cure for diabetes.
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Reporting on the Discovery of Insulin
Students write hard news and human-interest stories about the discovery of insulin.
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Using a variety of web-based resources, students will write a newspaper article that illustrates how the discovery of insulin by Banting and Best is an example of the true nature of scientific discovery and inquiry.
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Students develop a glossary to help them understand the history and science of diabetes.
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Cutting Edge Diabetes Research
Students study cutting-edge diabetes research and write a précis of research devoted to improving treatment or research devoted to developing a cure.
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Complex Questions for Science and Society
Students present skits to explore complex science, technology, and society questions related to diabetes research and treatment.
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In this introductory lesson, students will gather information about diabetes and its treatment.
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What Is Canada's Constitution?
In this introductory activity, students explore the history and relevance of Canada's 1982 Constitution and Charter of Rights.
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The Importance of a Constitution
Students prepare and present a political talk show about the patriation of the Constitution and the enactment of the Charter of Rights.
Featured Lesson Plan
Major Players in the Patriation Process
Using a variety of Web-based resources, students prepare a profile of a major political figure in the patriation of the Canadian Constitution and enactment of the Charter of Rights during the period 1968-82, assessing their contribution to the process.
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Students will debate whether the patriation of the Constitution and the enactment of the Charter of Rights have improved Canadian society and achieved the goals of those who supported the processes.
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Constitutional Timeline with Terms and Concepts
Students create a timeline or prepare a list of key terms and concepts related to Canada's constitutional history from the late 1960s to 1982.
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In this introductory activity, students explore the topic to learn more about the boat people and why they fled from their homeland.
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In this introductory activity, students will browse the site to gather information about nuclear power.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will research and report on an issue related to the use of nuclear power, and make recommendations based on their work.
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Students will create visual displays explaining how nuclear power is used to produce electricity.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will research and prepare a report comparing past and current Canadian humanitarian aid policies.
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Students will create a comprehensive sales package to market the Candu reactor.
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Students will write questions for, and participate in, a quiz show based on information about nuclear power.
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Exploring Media: Understanding and Identifying Editorial Perspective in Television and Radio News
Students will research the topics Boat People: A Refugee Crisis, Dr. Henry Morgentaler: Fighting Canada's Abortion Laws, and CANDU: The Canadian Nuclear Reactor on the CBC Digital Archives website, and expand their research to include selected other resources. Students will keep a research folder and a research log, and use their information to prepare group presentations.
Featured Lesson Plan
The Legacy of the Free Trade Pacts
Using a variety of web-based resources, students will research the positive and negative effects of free trade agreements on Canada's economy and society and present their findings to the class.
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Students will explore the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and debate the pros and cons of the issue.
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The Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement
In this introductory activity, students will explore and summarize the issues involved in the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.
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Canada and the United States: A Collage
Students will create a visual presentation that describes the influence of American culture on Canadian culture, the Canadian response to that influence, and the benefits and drawbacks of that influence to Canadian culture.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will research the fate of the main players in the 1972 Canada-Soviet hockey series as well as the organizations and governments active at the time.
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Two Ideologies, Two Hockey Styles
Students will research and summarize the Canadian and Soviet political systems of the 1970s and discuss their impact on competitive sport.
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Students write and role-play interviews reflecting the feelings and events of the 1972 Canada-Soviet hockey series.
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Students create a summary of the 1972 Canada-Soviet hockey series using colours to signify the emotional state of hockey fans.
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In this introductory activity, students prepare a timeline describing the events of the 1972 Canada-Soviet hockey series.
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The Business of Agriculture in Canada
Students will explore the impact of agriculture as a business in Canada using the wine industry as an example.
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Marketing Canada's Wine Industry
Students will work in groups to analyze the way marketing transformed the Canadian wine industry.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will research and write an essay about children's literature focusing on one work by L.M. Montgomery and one by another classic children's author.
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Students will write a diary entry modeled on the journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will explore the benefits and challenges of international trade agreements in relation to the wine industry.
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Students analyze how Canadian wine producers have addressed each stage in the product life cycle of wine.
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Government Regulation of Industry
In this introductory activity, students will explore and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of government regulation of the wine industry.
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The Queen's Role in Canadian Identity
Students will write a personal opinion paper about the Queen's place in defining Canadian identity.
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Students investigate and debate the pros and cons of the continuation of the monarchy in Canada.
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Quotations of Lucy Maud Montgomery
In this introductory activity, students explore the site to find revealing quotations from the writings of Lucy Maud Montgomery.
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Students write a formal letter identifying an appropriate gift to the Queen on the occasion of a royal visit.
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In this introductory activity, students design a stamp to commemorate a royal visit.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students prepare an appropriate tour of Canada to celebrate the Queen's 50th year on the throne.
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Earthquakes Throughout the World
Using a variety of Web-based resources, students research and create fact sheets about five significant global earthquakes, compiling their fact sheets to create a report.
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Students write a newspaper article about a historic earthquake in Eastern Canada.
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In this introductory activity, students create a list of items they need for an earthquake preparedness kit.
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An Earthquake Waiting to Happen
Students create a poster to raise earthquake awareness to the people of the city of Vancouver.
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In this introductory activity, students will investigate the major issues involved in constitutional debates from Confederation to the mid-1960s.
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Resolving Constitutional Issues
Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will research a constitutional issue still facing Canada, then draft and present several proposals for addressing the issue.
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Using the CBC Digital Archives website, as well as other internet and traditional resources, students will work in groups to research and analyze information in order to formulate opinions and explain key elements of Canadian identity. From their research they will create a simulated television production that represents and justifies their group's opinion about Canadian identity. They will find their information by visiting the topics Canada's Constitutional Debate: What Makes a Nation?, The Great Canadian Flag Debate, and Ruling the Airwaves: The CRTC and Canadian Content.
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A Constitutional Timeline: The First Hundred Years
Students will prepare a timeline of the major events, figures, issues, and developments in Canadian constitutional debates from Confederation to the mid-1960s.
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Students will prepare and present a role-play of a major Canadian historical, political figure.
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Students will explore the elements of a constitution and develop a constitution for their class.
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Students role-play a satellite recovery mission.
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Featured Lesson Plan
Using a variety of Web-based resources, students generate a visual and textual overview of the future of the space program.
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Students create a working model of the Canadarm.
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In this introductory activity, students prepare a descriptive web of Canadarm's uses and upgrades.
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The Impact of Radio and Television
In this introductory activity, students will choose a significant event broadcast in the early days of radio and television and use a medium of their choice to share information about it.
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Students will create a poster-size visual sequence chart that records the major events in the early years of Canadian radio.
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Students will write a letter to the Canadian Radio and Broadcasting Commission, in existence from 1932 to 1936, stating their position for or against the regulation of Canadian content.
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The Science Behind Phone Systems
Using a variety of Web-based resources, students research and create models, simulations, or other visual presentations of various aspects of telephone technology.
Featured Lesson Plan
Students produce a timeline illustrating the significant events in the development of phone technology.
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In this introductory activity, students browse the site and create an organized chart displaying data about the creation and uses of the telephone.
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Students prepare a dramatization or simulated news broadcast to illustrate various aspects in the history of the development of the telephone.
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Students create a chart linking a scientific milestone to the development of telephone technology.
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In this introductory activity, students will differentiate between reproductive and therapeutic cloning, and examine their own positions on this issue.
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The Risks and Benefits of Therapeutic Cloning
Students will assess the potential risks and benefits of therapeutic cloning and design posters to communicate the information.
Featured Lesson Plan
Students will build models to demonstrate their understanding of the process of nuclear transfer.
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Genetic Engineering and Stem Cells
Students will explore the potential power of genetic engineering by designing genetically altered humans.
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Using a variety of web-based resources, students will research the viability of cloning to prevent the extinction of endangered organisms and present their findings as a speech to the World Wildlife Fund.
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In this introductory activity, students will examine and explore the lyrics of anti-apartheid songs and convey information to other young people about anti-racism.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students research and evaluate the role of diplomacy, sanctions, and public pressure, particularly by Canada, in ending the apartheid system in South Africa.
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Remembering Apartheid: Interviews with South African and Canadian Personalities
Students role-play interviews with some of the main figures involved in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
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Students organize and conduct an election campaign, culminating in an in-class vote.
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Students role-play a federal political leaders' debate from a past federal election.
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Learning About Federal Elections in Canada
In this introductory activity, students gather information about the history of federal elections in recent Canadian history, focusing on some key campaigns and learning how the issues, leaders, parties, and results of each election impacted Canadian politics.
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Students will prepare and present a television news broadcast covering the leaders, parties, issues, events, and results of one federal election from Canada's post-1945 history.
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Analyzing Canadian Elections Since 1945
Using a variety of web-based resources, students will develop and present an analysis of a key federal election in Canadian history and conduct a round-table discussion of its importance.
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Students create a word web to identify how the traditions of the Calgary Stampede build community.
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In this introductory activity, students study and use the symbols relating to the Calgary Stampede.
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Using a variety of web-based resources, students will research the factors that contribute to avalanches and make a poster or a model that illustrates the anatomy of an avalanche.
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Students will create promotional materials about the safety of a new ski and snowboard resort in British Columbia.
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Prepare for a Backcountry Trip
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Featured Lesson Plan
Avalanches: Whose Responsibility?
Students will write a letter to the editor expressing their position about avalanche safety.
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Montgomery's Emotional Landscape
Students will examine the fictional village of Avonlea, which L.M. Montgomery created, and write a description of the setting.
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In this introductory activity, students will listen to the stories of avalanche survivors and create a collage that reflects their experiences.
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Who Wins in the Softwood Lumber Dispute?
In this parallel activity to The Costs of the Softwood Lumber Dispute, students will identify the groups in Canada and the United States who benefit from the ongoing dispute over softwood lumber.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will investigate the origins, challenges, and positions formed in the ongoing disputes over the sale of softwood lumber from Canada to the United States.
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The Costs of the Softwood Lumber Dispute
In this parallel activity to Who Wins in the Softwood Lumber Dispute, students will examine the costs to Canadian industry and people as a result of the softwood lumber dispute.
Featured Lesson Plan
Solving the Softwood Lumber Dispute
Students will consider the complexities of the softwood lumber dispute and develop a plan of action to address the dispute.
Featured Lesson Plan
100th Anniversary of Anne of Green Gables
Students will plan a celebration to mark the 2008 100th anniversary of the publication Anne of Green Gables in 2008.
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In this introductory activity, students will create a collage to explain the impact of the softwood lumber industry on the lives of people in Canada and the U.S.
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Reacting to the Effects of Asbestos
Students will write an opinion paper about whether it was reasonable to close down entire towns based on asbestos fears.
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To research and write about a significant individual.
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Students will create a newscast or broadcast feature to illustrate the impact of the demise of the asbestos industry.
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Students will build a case for government or industry negligence regarding asbestos.
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A Timeline of the Asbestos Industry
Students will prepare a timeline of the fall of the asbestos industry.
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Pros and Cons of Censoring Art
Students will identify, list, and discuss arguments for and against censoring art.
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In this introductory activity, students will browse the site to gain an initial understanding about censoring art.
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Ben Johnson - Innocent or Guilty?
Using a variety of Web-based resources, students write a one-page editorial analyzing the Ben Johnson scandal and Johnson's culpability in it.
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Students write an editorial arguing a point of view about art and censorship.
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After Ben Johnson: The Dubin Inquiry
Students write interview questions that might have been used in the Dubin Inquiry and use some of them to conduct a mock-inquiry.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will research and write an independent case study of one episode of art censorship.
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Students will pose a central question about art and censorship, create hypothesis statements about the question, and list arguments supporting their statements.
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What You Need to Know About Antonine Maillet
Using a variety of web-based resources, students use the medium of their choice to inform English Canadians about Antonine Maillet, her culture, and her works.
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Students record a story that is part of the oral tradition of a community of which they are part.
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Students examine the Acadian language used in Maillet's works.
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In this introductory activity, students browse the site for information about Antonine Maillet and discuss techniques to use to provide that information.
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Students write a one-paragraph summary about Antonine Maillet and her place in Acadian literature and history.
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In this introductory activity, students will investigate the idea of assimilation as it relates to the federal government's education of Inuit children, which began in the 1950s.
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The Role of the Government in Inuit Education
Students will detail arguments for and against government involvement in Inuit education.
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Inuit Education: Sharing Information
In groups, students examine the topic of Inuit education and present their information to one another.
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Identifying Bias and Stereotypes
Students will investigate archival materials for bias and stereotyping.
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Students will use a variety of web-based resources to research and create a newspaper supplement about the history of Inuit assimilation through the Canadian education system.
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The Architecture of Douglas Cardinal
Students will examine the ideas of Douglas Cardinal and create an art work designed to show a human habitat that respects and blends with nature.
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Students will write a short story based on elements of their own life.
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Albertans Who Make a Difference
In this introductory activity, students will prepare a poster profiling a prominent Albertan and how that person has made a difference to the province.
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Students will examine the life of an Alberta musician and write a poem or song inspired by that person.
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Aboriginal Successes in Alberta and Canada
Using a variety of web-based resources, students will write an essay to examine the challenges and successes of individual Aboriginal people in Canada, analyze their success, and predict the impact for the future of Aboriginal peoples and communities in Canada.
Featured Lesson Plan
A Position Paper on the World Anti-Doping Agency
Students write position papers about the current effectiveness of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
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Students will explore Al Purdy's poetry and readings and write poems that convey a mood.
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Using a variety of Web-based and other resources, students will choose a topic treated by Barbara Frum and investigate it further. They will share their findings in a formal essay.
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Qualities of a Good Broadcaster
Students will identify skills necessary to be a successful broadcaster.
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In this introductory activity, students explore information about Africville and its history and describe what it might have been like to live there.
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Students will identify the characteristics of a personality interview, then prepare and conduct one of their own.
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Students will view an interview and turn it into a print news story.
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The Environment: Issues and Politics
Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will examine current environmental issues confronting governments, political leaders, and activist groups.
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Students will view and react to an interview conducted by Barbara Frum.
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Acid Rain and Canada-U.S. relations
Students will examine the Canadian and American arguments regarding causes and effects of acid rain and debate the issue.
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Students create a broadcast to promote to women a CBC program from the years between 1945 to 1969.
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Students find quotations illustrating woman's role in society and then create a political cartoon to share their opinions on that role and the media's place in portraying and influencing it.
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Students collect and organize information concerning recent issues affecting Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Topics may include the recent history of Aboriginal peoples, the changes they have endured over the last 50 years, and the challenges they face as a result of their re-emergence as a collection of First Nations.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will investigate current issues in the aboriginal community and present their findings to the class.
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Students will write a letter home in role as a student at a residential school.
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In this introductory activity, students listen to war interviews with soldiers and analyze their effectiveness.
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WWII: The Beauty of Nature during War
Students read a primary source text and then create a personal response through a medium of their choice.
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Life at the Front: A WWII Soldier's View
In role of a soldier, students write journal entries about daily life on the front.
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Using a variety of Web-based resources, students identify, and use presentation software to create a timeline of major events of the Second World War.
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Students write diary entries, in role as soldiers, about the emotional impact of living through war.
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Use the excerpt box for a short description. This is what gets displayed in the search results.
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In this introductory activity, students identify, and describe orally or in writing, characteristics and facts about Terry Fox.