Lesson Plan: Canadian, Eh?

Lesson Plan

Before Exploring

Ask students to record, over the course of five to seven days, the programming they listen to or watch. This could include radio, television, internet, and movies. How many hours per day do they watch or listen? Have students record and analyze their choices on the download sheet Canadian, Eh?

Have students form groups and share their results. Have each group calculate the percentage of time that group members interacted with programming that was Canadian, American, or other. Share and discuss the results.

Outline the Opportunity

Direct students to the topic Canada Tunes In: Radio and TV's Early Years on the CBC Digital Archives website. Have students read the notes for the clips titled "The Canadian Radio League", and then examine the clips titled "CBC radio goes on the air", "Canadian TV: not ready for prime time", "World's broadcasters welcome CBC television" and "A sense of adventure" and read the accompanying notes to identify the pros and cons of both American and Canadian programming. Students prepare a pro/con chart for the early years in radio and television for both Canadian and American programming.

Using their pro/con lists as a guide, students write a letter to the CRBC (Canadian Radio and Broadcasting Commission, 1932 to 1936) stating their position for or against the regulation of Canadian content. Students share and discuss their letters in small groups.

Revisit and Reflect

As a class, discuss the following: To what extent has Canada been successful in regulating Canadian content in electronic media?

Extension

Students can research national content in electronic media in another country of their choice and compare and contrast that position to the official Canadian position on the issue.

Download PDF