- K

Transcription

- K

200+ RESOURCES!
A K-12 RESOURCE TOUR OF CANADA
Selected Resources Compiled by
Tina Storer, Education and Curriculum Specialist
Center for Canadian-American Studies at Western Washington University
A Pacific Northwest National Resource Center on Canada
[email protected] / 360-650-7370 / www.k12studycanada.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTORY NOTE AND MAP………………………………………………………….
2
NRCs ON CANADA – RESOURCES AND SERVICES (20)……………………………
3
CANADA & U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS / WEBSITE INFO (15+) …
4-5
THOUGHT-PROVOKING ARTICLES (6+) ………………………………………….……….
6
TEACHER REFERENCE BOOKS/CLASSROOM RESOURCES (15)……………….
6-9
CURRICULA (Lesson / Activity Plans and Teachers Guides) (7+) …………..
9-10
STUDENT BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS! (95+)………………………………………………
10-26
Workbooks / Atlases / Textbooks (20)…….…..... 10-13
Picture Books / Folk Tales (15+) ……..….…........ 13-16
Youth Fiction (Short Stories & Novels)(40+)…. 16-23
Youth Non-Fiction (20+) .................................. 24-26
MULTIMEDIA MATERIALS (30) …….…….…………………….……….……………….…
27-32
Films/Videos (10)…………………………….…….……. 27-28
Music CDS (10)……………….…………………….…….. 29-30
Student Learning Tools (10)........................... 31-32
KEY WEBSITES…..……….……………….….…………………………………………………….
33-34
www.k12studycanada.org
INTRODUCTORY NOTE AND MAP
Let me say from the start, you, the teachers, are the best resources available for teaching about Canada. You’re ahead of the rest
if including Canada in your curriculum when not required to. You are serving your students and school district well by doing so.
The video “Tom Brokaw Explains Canada to Americans” [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV_041oYDjg] describes why it is
so vital that American students know more about our northern neighbor and its relationship to the United States. The 6-minute
short film aired on NBC prior to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia on
February 12, 2010. The video gained great response from viewers around the world at the time and continues to serves as a
wonderful introduction for teaching about the Canada-US relationship in K-12 classrooms. I encourage its use at all grade levels.
Pedagogically speaking, teaching Canada meets international education goals that encourage American students to be prepared
st
as 21 century citizens who are good neighbors, good economic partners, and good allies. Teaching Canada considers
international relations in North America first yet has students explore beyond mutually-beneficial economic interests to include
the stewardship of our continent and the world. Teaching Canada advances student knowledge, provides comparative context
for history and politics, and encourages global thinking. Furthermore, Canada is perhaps the best comparative lens regarding all
core social studies topics and allows us as much insight into ourselves as it does our neighbor nation.
Map used with permission by Sonja E. Schild, SmartToys, Vancouver, BC.
NOTE: The resources recommended in this teachers’ guide cover a wide variety of topics and grade levels; however, the
compilation does not aim to be comprehensive. Instead, it is intended as a kick-start for the exploration of Canada in American
social studies classrooms at elementary, middle and high school levels of education. It is hoped that these resources prove
inspiring and lead to further study of Canada since there are so very many ways that our history, geography, politics, trade, and
culture connect. Most descriptions have been adapted from publication jackets, website posts or library synopses, particularly
those from the National Film Board of Canada and WWU’s Children’s Literature Interdisciplinary Collection (CLIC). Resources
whose titles are bookended by star symbols (*) are considered exceptional and highly recommended.
Page 2
NRCs ON CANADA – RESOURCES AND SERVICES (20)
U.S. Department of Education Title VI grants support two National Resource Centers on Canada
in the U.S. that provide print publications and websites as learning portals for K-12 educators
with teachable content, online curricula, classroom resources, multimedia classroom tools,
teacher loan-kits and outreach services, including regular professional development instruction
via presentations, exhibits and NRC summer institutes. Both partner with many organizations
to serve K-12 teachers nationwide and advocate for Canada in the curriculum at national levels.
1.
The Pacific Northwest National Resource Center on Canada
A consortium formed by UW and WWU with its outreach arm identified by this logo:
Learning Portal:: www.k12studycanada.org
Contacts: [email protected] (Tina Storer) and [email protected] (Nadine Fabbi)
2.
The Northeast National Resource Center on Canada
A consortium formed by the Canadian Studies Center at U Maine and the Center for the
Study of Canada/Institute on Québec Studies at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Learning Portals: www.umaine.edu/canam and
http://canada-acsus.plattsburgh.edu/cesca.htm
Contacts: [email protected] (Betsy Arntzen) and
[email protected] (Amy Sotherden)
The Pacific Northwest National Resource Center on Canada
• Teacher Loan-Kits (2 Types: Novel Collection/Resource Valise)
• NCHE “Connections to Canada in US History” Articles
• Half/Full-Day Professional Development Programs and
conference workshops:
o Archives on the Arctic: Connecting to Global Issues with…
o From Coal Trains to Classrooms: Cross-Border Trade, Energy
& Environmental Issues in the PNW
• STUDY CANADA Summer Institute for K-12 Educators
• Canada Northern Neighbor (2nd Edition) textbook
• O Canada! Newspapers in Education Supplement
• E-Resource Newsletters (September-June every 2 months)
• Topic Resource Guides and Teaching Modules
• Canadian Studies Advocacy with NCSS, CS4, NCHE, NCGE
The Northeast National Resource Center on Canada
• Canada Valise (Teacher Loan-Kit w/Gr. 7 Curricula)
• Articles in Education Journals
• Half/Full-Day Professional Development Programs, and
conference workshops:
o Canada and the New Hampshire Curriculum
o Canada and the Massachusetts Curriculum
o Canada and the New York Curriculum
• Québec Dimensions Summer Teachers’ Institute
• Summer Institute for Teachers of French
• Explanatory Maps (Saint Croix & Acadia; They Would
Not Take Me There: People, Places and Stories from
Champlain’s Travels in Canada, 1603-1616)
• Canada Community Leadership at NCSS
Page 3
CANADA & U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS / WEBSITE RESOURCES (15+)
A variety of government offices in Canada and the United States offer print publications and useful content on their websites
suitable for classroom use. A bonus for French Language teachers is that all federal information in Canada (online and in print) is
bilingual (available in both English and French). Government of Canada resources are often available for free or minimal charge
and often available to recipients in both Canada and the U.S. Do not hesitate to request that materials be shipped to your U.S.
address – even classroom sets. The primary federal gateway for learning more is www.gc.ca. You can browse publications and
use a general search tool to order/access materials at: http://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/search/search.html.
•
“Canada At A Glance” (Annual Brochure), Statistics Canada (Ottawa, Canada)
This brochure presents current Canadian demographic, education, health and aging, justice, housing, income, labor market,
household, economic, travel, financial, agricultural, foreign trade and environmental statistics. It also includes important
international comparisons so that readers can see how Canada stacks up against its neighbors. Updated yearly, this is a very
useful reference for those who want quick access to current Canadian statistics. Download the pdf or order free paper
copies for your classroom – See http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/olc-cel/olc.action?objId=12-581-X&objType=2&lang=en&limit=0
•
“Canada-U.S. Partnership Map” (Folding Map), Government of Canada – This is a very useful map that shows the ties
between U.S. States and Canada (which can also be considered on a state-by-state basis in greater detail using the electronic
resource below at the same time). Request these fold-out maps from the Academic Affairs Officer at your regional Consulate
General of Canada office. Locate yours by visiting http://can-am.gc.ca/offices-bureaux/index.aspx?lang=eng.
•
“Canada-U.S. State Trade Fact Sheets” The United States and Canada benefit from the world’s largest trade relationship.
Deeply integrated supply chains connect trade partners on either side of the border in industries such as automotive
manufacturing, aerospace and construction machinery. Over 8 million U.S. jobs depend on trade and investment with
Canada. It is the #1 export destination for more than 35 states. Learn more about your own state’s trade relationship with
Canada. Visit: http://can-am.gc.ca/business-affaires/fact_sheets-fiches_documentaires/index.aspx?lang=eng
•
“Canada – United States of America – Estados Unidos Mexicanos” This large folding map was produced by the trilateral
governments of North America. It is a general reference map giving detailed coverage of populated places, transportation
routes and the drainage network. Land areas are colored to represent individual countries and dependencies, whereas
offshore areas are colored to show bathymetry. There is also a table of road mileages between major cities. Download a jpg
or pdf (or order it by mail). Visit http://www.atlas.gc.ca/site/english/maps/wallmaps.html
•
Canadian Tourism Commission – Access the official online travel guide to Canada. https://www.canada.travel
•
Central Intelligence Agency - World Factbook: Canada
The World Factbook provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications,
transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities. The reference tab online includes: maps of the
world, flags of the world, and access to information about individual countries as well as country comparisons.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ca.html
•
“Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship”
Although intended for newcomers studying for Canada’s citizenship test, these government webpages contain solid
information about the history of Canada, its government, national symbols, and geographic regions. A solid primer. Visit
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/discover/index.asp to download a pdf of the monograph or listen to it.
Page 4
•
Embassy of Canada (Washington, DC) http://can-am.gc.ca/washington
The Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC, along with a network of 15 missions and trade offices across the United States,
works to strengthen and manage the Canada-US relationship. If interested in the Canada-U.S. relationship, sign up to join
Connect2Canada, a virtual network for friends of Canada to stay updated on key issues and learn about upcoming events.
Webpages relating to “Canada-US Relations” can be accessed at: http://can-am.gc.ca/relations/index.aspx?lang=eng.
•
Embassy of the United States (Ottawa, Canada) http://canada.usembassy.gov
This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State and reflects not only the many services for American citizens living in
Canada but also provides insight to political issues that concern the Canada-US relationship. An RSS news feed is available.
The “Canada-United States Relations Overview” at http://canada.usembassy.gov/canada-us-relations/canada-united-statesrelations-overview.html provides a nice synopsis for students.
•
The Learning Circle: Classroom Activities on First Nations in Canada” (Monographs, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada).
Access the small booklets and reprint as needed for classroom sets or call for softcover copies
For Ages 4-7: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/R32-195-1998E.pdf (1998) ISBN: 0-662-26694-3
For Ages 8-11: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/aadnc-aandc/R72-278-2-2006-eng.pdf (2006)
ISBN: 0-662-42199-X
For Ages 12-14: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/aadnc-aandc/R72-278-3-2006-eng.pdf (2006)
ISBN: 0-662-42201-5
•
“Our Country, Our Parliament” (Monograph ISBN: 978-0-662-46116-6, Library of Parliament, 2009)
This small book serves elementary/middle school and English as a Second Language students as a guide to how Canada’s
Parliament works. It can be accessed electronically at http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/bdp-lop/YM415-2007-eng.pdf or ordered in print by calling 1-866-599-4999 / 613-992-4793. There is also a teacher’s guide available online
at http://www.parl.gc.ca/about/parliament/education/ourcountryourparliament/TeacherGuide/index-e.asp.
•
“A Strong Partnership: Energy Relationship between Canada and the United States” (Two Maps)
The Centre for Energy, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, have created
maps to illustrate the Canada-U.S. energy-specific trade relationship including petroleum products, electricity and energy
services. It's a strong partnership. Canada: http://www.centreforenergy.com/Documents/EnergyMaps/Canada.pdf and the
United States: http://www.centreforenergy.com/Documents/EnergyMaps/UnitedStates.pdf.
•
“Symbols of Canada” http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1363698117066/1363698177344
This publication contains color illustrations of symbols that reflect the history, people, environment, and traditions of
Canada and its provinces and territories, as well as the Crown in Canada. It provides brief histories for each area, along with
maps, statistics, coats of arms, mottos, flags, and other symbols. A folded poster insert and classroom activities are included.
Download it online. Limited softcover copies are available but shipped only to Canadian addresses.
•
Québec Government Offices (QGO) in the U.S. www.canadainternational.gc.ca/can-am/offices-bureaux/index.aspx
The Québec Government operates 26 offices worldwide (with 6 in the U.S.) to promote Québec as a tourism and business
destination. In the US, the offices also oversee Québec’s bilateral relations with the U.S. federal and state governments.
QGOs are located in Washington, DC, New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. To access individual QGOs, use
the following URL as a template and simply substitute the city of your preference at the end:
http://www.international.gouv.qc.ca/en/washington. Each QGO offers information and resources for learning about
Québec, including a “Did you know” section. French language teachers will want to also visit the “Portrait du Québec” page
via the Government of Québec’s primary portal: http://www.gouv.qc.ca/portail/quebec/pgs/commun/portrait/?lang=fr [NB:
Ce portrait est présenté d’un point de vue gouvernemental.]
•
“U.S. Relations With Canada” (U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Factsheet, July 2014)
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2089.htm. The State Department is the federal executive department responsible for
international relations. Their factsheets and website reflect our international relations with other countries. Also visit the
“Canada Page” at: http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ca.
Page 5
THOUGHT-PROVOKING ARTICLES / REPORTS (6)
Key: ES = Appropriate for Elementary School Use; MS = Appropriate for Middle School Use; SS = Appropriate for Secondary School Use
•
“The Canadianization of America” http://crosscut.com/2012/06/15/mossback/109136/canadianization-america
We're rapidly being colonized by the culture and landscape of British Columbia. What's that all a-boot, eh?
•
“Fill in the Blank: As Canadian as _____” by John Bowman CBC News (June 11, 2013)
www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/06/as-canadian-as.html
In the 1970’s, renowned Canadian radio personality, Peter Gzowski, decided Canada needed a national simile akin to “As
American as apple pie”. He ran a contest on his radio show asking Canadians to complete the phrase "As Canadian as...." The
winning simile was “As Canadian as possible under the circumstances." It can be interesting to have students consider why
this response reflects Canadians and to make connections to the nation’s history. In 2013, more than 40 years later, CBC
News asked readers to complete the sentence again. Hundreds of responses resulted that fell into 8 categories. Ask students
to interactively explore the answers and choose favorites at http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/as-canadian-as. A fun
exercise in Canadian identity.
•
“Has the American Dream moved to Canada?” by Richard V. Reeves and Pete Rodrigue (Brookings, July 1, 2014)
www.brookings.edu/blogs/social-mobility-memos/posts/2014/07/01-has-american-dream-moved-to-canada-reeves
•
“Literature and Canadian History – A Marriage Made in Heaven?” Penney Clarke, University of British Columbia
http://www2.education.ualberta.ca/css/Css_37_1/ARliterature_canhistory_marriage.htm
In this article, the author develops the idea that the study of historical novels has the capacity to help students develop a
sense of "historical empathy." Drawing on examples taken from a wide range of historical fiction, the author suggests that
for this empathetic sense to be fully realized, teachers need to apply four specific selection criteria to their choice of novels
to study. As a study aid, the author provides an extensive bibliography of historical resources.
•
“The Making of a Loyalist: Rich, white, and virulently anti-democratic—they still suffer from an image problem” by Brian
Bethune, Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/23/the-making-of-a-loyalist
•
“When Tims is more popular than the Queen, how to tell Canada’s story?” by Jack Jedwab, Special to The Globe and Mail
(Published Monday, Jan. 06 2014, 10:01 AM EST) www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/when-tims-is-more-popularthan-the-queen-how-to-tell-canadas-story/article16204272/?cmpid=rss1
TEACHER REFERENCE BOOKS / CLASSROOM RESOURCES (15)
Acadie Then and Now: A People’s History (also available in French) under the direction of Warren Perrin,
Mary Boussard Perrin and Phil Comeau (Andrepont Publishing, 2014) ISBN: 978-0-9768927-3-1 [SS]
www.acadianmuseum.com/boutique.html [SS – Adult]
Acadians from around the world are showcased in this unique new book about the Acadian diaspora,
which focuses on their communities in the United States, Canada and France. The collection of 65 articles
chronicles the historical and contemporary realities of the Acadian/Cajun peoples and takes an
international perspective that provides new insights on their past, present and future.
Canada: A People’s History by Don Gillmor and Pierre Turgeon (McClellan & Stewart, 2002) ISBN-13:
978-0771033247 Available in English and French. [MS, SS – Adult]
This 17-episode, 32-hour documentary television series on the history of Canada can be a wonderful
classroom tool when viewed in short segments. The story is told through the words of the people involved,
from great leaders and explorers to everyday people of the land at the time. The documentary makes
effective use of visuals, transitions, and dramatic music from or evocative of the eras being covered. In the
first season, actors representing historical figures spoke their words, while later seasons used voiceovers
over photographic images and film or, when available, original recordings of the subject. You can explore
the series and teacher resources related to it at http://www.cbc.ca/history.
Page 6
The Canadians: Biographies of a Nation Omnibus by Patrick Watson (MacArthur and Company, 2003)
ISBN-13: 978-1552783900 Contains Volumes 1-3. [MS, SS – Adult]
Canadian heroes and the odd villain continue to come to life in the History Television series Canadians:
Biographies of a Nation, hosted by the enormously talented Patrick Watson. Now all three volumes of the
companion book to the series are collected together for the first time in one beautiful omnibus edition.
These biographies help us understand Canadian history while at the same time telling immediate and
compelling personal stories. The commonplace which holds that Canadians are both dull and uninterested
in their own stories is no longer true, if indeed it ever was.
Canadian Society in the Twenty-First Century: A Historical Sociological Approach by Trevor W. Harrison
and John W. Friesen (Canadian Scholars Press, 2010) ISBN: 9781551303710 [SS - Adult]
Now in its second edition, this book opens with an engaging overview of Canadian society at a level
appropriate for a wide range of courses in Canadian Studies, Sociology, and History. This original work
examines the growth and development of Canadian society within a socio-historical framework. The
authors investigate historical, economic, political, cultural, and ideological perspectives through three key
relationships: Quebec and Canada, Canada and the United States, and Canada and the Aboriginal Nations.
The Changing Face of Canada: Essential Readings in Population by Roderic Beaujot and Don Kerr
(Canadian Scholars Press, 2007) ISBN: 9781551303222 [SS]
Canadian society is rapidly changing. This concise, up-to-date volume masterfully captures this change.
Edited by two of Canada's leading demographers, this book is an exciting entry in Canadian population
studies, drawing from a variety of disciplines, including sociology, geography, economics, history, and
epidemiology. Vital issues include: the role of immigration in Canada's future; the deteriorating economic
welfare of immigrants; globalization, undocumented migration, and unwanted refugees; Aboriginal
population change; implications of unprecedented low fertility; and the astonishing demographic
transformation of Canadian cities.
The Encyclopedia of British Columbia by Daniel Francis (Harbour Publishing, 2000) ISBN-13: 9781550172003 [ES, MS, SS]
EBC is the definitive reference work on BC. With more than 4,000 entries and 1,500 accompanying
photographs, maps, charts and tables, as well as sound and video clips, EBC is the source of readable and
authoritative information on all the significant BC people, places and things. Originally a best-selling 824page book, the Encyclopedia of BC is now only available online by subscription. If you can get hold of a
print edition, do so, though it will not be as up-to-date as the online version.
The Illustrated History of Canada edited by Craig Brown (Key Porter Books, 2000) ISBN-13: 9781552631461 [SS – Adult]
First published in 1987, The Illustrated History of Canada was the first comprehensive, authoritative onevolume history of the country. It featured chapters by seven of Canada's leading historians and hundreds
of engravings, lithographs, cartoons, maps, posters, and photographs. Together, these elements created a
sweeping chronicle of Canada from its earliest times to yesterday's news. A 2011 edition has been fully
updated to bring readers into the twenty-first century, with new material on such topics as the rise of
small government, the recognition of Native land claims, Canada's role in the post-Cold War "peace," and
the 2011 federal election. More than ever, this is a must-have reference guide for all interested in the
history - and the future – of Canada.
The Just a Minute Omnibus: Glimpses of our Canadian Heritage by Marsha Boulton (McArthur, 2001)
ISBN-13: 978-1552781517 [MS, SS – Adult]
This compilation of Boulton’s Just a Minute series freewheels through 150 stories from Canada's past that
are guaranteed to surprise and inform readers of all ages. Perfect 2-3 page his/her-stories for using in class
to motivate further study of Canada’s people and past.
Page 7
Introducing Canada: Concept Backgrounders, Strategies and Resources for Educators by William Joyce
(National Council for the Social Studies, 1997) ISBN-13: 978-0879860752 [SS - Adult]
This 11 chapter volume, produced in 1997 by the National Council for the Social Studies in association with
the National Consortium for Teaching Canada [now defunct], provides a rich overview of Canada for the K12 classroom. Contributions include history, politics, geography, culture, and economics. This volume also
includes instructional activities, resources and strategies for K-12 educators interested in Canada.
Learning with Literature in the Canadian Elementary Classroom by Joyce Bainbridge and Sylvia Pantaleo
(University of Alberta Press, 1999) ISBN-13: 978-0888643308 [Adult]
Sensible, successful strategies to help children become lifelong readers are offered in this book intended
to help new and experienced teachers alike. While the volume concentrates on the many fine books
published in Canada each year, it surveys outstanding books from around the world. It offers classroomtested ideas that teachers can start using immediately, supported by descriptions of hundreds of exciting,
engaging, accessible trade books for elementary readers. It features real-life classroom situations, sidebars
on 20 Canadian authors and illustrators, reflection exercises, annotated professional references, an
extensive bibliography of children's literature and chapter-relevant book lists, appendices, and an index.
Profiles of Canada by Kenneth G. Pryke and Walter C. Soderlund (Addison-Wesley Publishing, 1992) ISBN13: 978-0773051881 [SS - Adult]
A new third edition of Profiles of Canada combines depth, breadth, sophistication, and readability to offer
the student a comprehensive introduction to Canadian society. The editors have brought together
contributions from a wide range of disciplines to create a fascinating overview of the various facets of
Canadian life and culture. The text includes aspects of the Canadian experience not usually found in
introductory texts. The inclusion of a short story by Alistair MacLeod, for example, is an innovative
departure from the academic writing of the other chapters, and provides the student of Canadian society
with a sample of the finest in contemporary Canadian writing. Aspects of Canada explored in this new
edition include regionalism, the North, demography, ethnicity, culture, and sport.
A Short History of Canada: Sixth Edition by Desmond Morton (McClelland and Stewart, 2006) ISBN-13:
9780771064807 [SS - Adult]
Most of us know pieces of Canadian history but would like to be more sure of how it all fits together. The
trick is to find a history book that is so absorbing you will want to read it from beginning to end. Desmond
Morton, one of Canada’s most noted and highly respected historians, does that. He is keenly aware of the
links connecting our present, past, and future, and in one compact and engrossing volume he pulls off the
remarkable feat of bringing it all together – from the First Nations before arrival of the Europeans to the
failure of the Charlottetown accord and Jean Chretien’s third term as prime minister. His acute
observations on the Diefenbaker era, the effects of the post-war influx of immigrants, the flag debate, the
baby boom, the Trudeau years and the constitutional crisis, the Quebec referendum, and the rise of the
Canadian Alliance all provide an invaluable background to understanding the way Canada works today.
The Spirit of Canada: Canada's Story in Legends, Fiction, Poems, and Songs edited by Barbara
Hehner (Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1999) ISBN-13: 9781894121149 [ES, MS, SS - Adult]
This stunning anthology is a MUST-HAVE for school libraries. It is filled to the brim with stories, songs,
poems, legends, and 150 illustrations by some of Canada's most prestigious children's book artists. It is a
useful reference guide, classroom resource and keepsake for generations to come. Beginning with native
creation myths, readers are introduced to a cross-section of Canadian history. Chapters include the
discovery of the New World, early settlement and Confederation, as well as legends, humor, and
multiculturalism. Classic pieces include: “The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert W. Service; “In Flanders
Fields” by John McCrae; “Canadian Railway Trilogy” by Gordon Lightfoot; “The Hockey Sweater” by Roch
Carrier; “This Was My Brother” by Mona Gould; and “I Am a Canadian #1” by Duke Redbird.
Page 8
The Story of Canada by Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore with illustrations by Alan Daniels (Key
Porter Books, 2011) ISBN-13: 9781552639283 [ES, MS, SS - Adult]
This history book is a MUST-HAVE for From epic journeys into the unknown by the First Peoples of Canada
thousands of years ago to Roberta Bondar’s landmark voyage into space, The Story of Canada is as vast in
scope as the country itself. Renowned children’s author Janet Lunn and historian Christopher Moore tell
Canada’s story through rich narrative, recreations of daily life, folk tales, and fascinating facts. Alan
Daniel’s evocative original paintings, as well as several hundred historical photographs, maps, paintings,
posters, and cartoons, make the book as splendid to view as it is to read.
Teaching about Canada and Mexico (National Council for the Social Studies in association with Michigan
State University’s Canadian Studies Centre and its Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, 2006)
ISBN-13: 978-0879860981 [Adult]
This book provides educators with the in-depth information and suggestions for class activities that will
enable them to teach their students about Canada and Mexico. The articles on Canada in this book cover
its history, government, society,cultural life, and the status of Quebec. Those on Mexico deal with its
preHispanic and subsequent history, its political system, culture, images of the U.S. held by Mexicans, and
Mexicos recent accomplishments and upcoming challenges. This volume also covers the emergence of
North American free trade and its impact on the economies of Mexico and Canada.
CURRICULA (Lesson / Activity Plans and Teachers Guides) (7 - Additional teachers’ guides are referenced elsewhere)
•
Aboriginal Perspectives: A Guide to the Teacher’s Toolkit - Teaching Resources and Strategies for Elementary & Secondary
Classrooms (Ontario Ministry of Ed., 2009) [ES, MS, SS] http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/aboriginal/Guide_Toolkit2009.pdf
This guide helps elementary and secondary teachers bring Aboriginal themes and perspectives into their classrooms by
guiding them about how to better use a collection of electronic resources at www.ontario.ca/aboriginaleducation.
•
Historica Canada – Education https://www.historicacanada.ca/content/education
An impressive collection of lesson plans created by members of Historica Canada’s teacher community for intermediate and
secondary teachers is available here. Search different periods and events in Canadian history from the first inhabitants to
Vancouver 2010. You will also find lesson plans to accompany many of Historica resources, which will help you get the most
out of them. Curriculum specialists have designed fun and interesting ways to make the "Historica Minutes" and the new
"Footprints" sports video series relevant to your class. [Note: The “Historica Minutes” videos are highly recommended.]
•
K-12 STUDY CANADA Curricula [ES, MS, SS] www.k12studycanada.org/resources_teacher_resources.html
From the 16-page “O Canada! The True North Strong and Free!” Newspapers in Education supplement to topic
backgrounders and lesson plans for teaching about Canada written by teachers, there are many reasons and resources for
teachers to explore this website. The newest curriculum additions concern trans-border issues and teaching about the Arctic
using primary source documents and strategies.
•
Teaching Canada Instructional Resources [ES, MS, SS] http://umaine.edu/teachingcanada/instructional-resources-2
The webpage is a gateway to most Northeast NRC on Canada teaching resources, loan-kits, and map guides as well as
resources by regional partners. The most recent curriculum addition is “We Have Come to Stay – a story of the Acadian
People“. It is a five-part fictional story of a northern Maine girl with Acadian ancestry; accompanied by glossary of French
terms and discussions questions. Originally published in the Bangor Daily News; author: Cynthia Matthews, World Language
Teacher, SAD55, Sacopee Valley High School, Hiram, ME.
•
The People of Cascadia: Pacific Northwest Native American History by Heidi Bohan (Heidi Bohan, 2009) [ES, MS]
Learn about the culture of the people who have lived in the Pacific Northwest for at least 500 generations before the first
European schooners arrived in the late 1700's. Visit: www.peopleofcascadia.com/default.html
•
School District 78 Native Education Resource List [ES, MS, SS] www.sd78.bc.ca/_PDF/NativeEdResource.pdf
This online guide contains hundreds of books, lesson plans, films, and resources to supplement any First Nations education.
Page 9
•
Since Time Immemorial [ES, MS, SS] www.indian-ed.org
This site is the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Washington State’s Native American curriculum. It houses
resources, materials, lessons, and entire units to support the teaching of tribal sovereignty, tribal history, and current tribal
issues within the context of OSPI recommended units for Washington and US history in the elementary and middle school
levels and US history and Contemporary World Issues in the high school level. Each unit is aligned with National Common
Core State Standards, state standards and builds toward the successful completion of a Content-Based Assessment, or CBA.
STUDENT BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
Listings are in alphabetical order by title and author; publisher and categorized by grade [ES, MS, & SS].
Key: ES = Appropriate for Elementary School Use; MS = Appropriate for Middle School Use; SS = Appropriate for Secondary School Use
Workbooks / Atlases / Textbooks (20+)
Apple Press Publishing Student Workbook Series [ES, MS]
www.canadianhomeeducation.com/category/987-apple-press.aspx
The Canada Map Book and Exploring Canada’s Geography series will interest K-8 teachers.
British Columbia: Its Land, Minerals, and Water Resources by Frances Duncan. (Pacific Edge Publishing,
1996) ISBN-13: 978-1895110388. [ES, MS]
This text, recommended by the BC Ministry of Education, was developed specifically for B.C. Science/ Social
Studies curricula by B.C. educators. Students learn about land, mineral and water resources including:
• the ways we use the resources and the effects of using them; how we use the land for growing crops, for
raising animals and hunting wildlife and for forestry, tourism and recreation.
• how B.C.'s mountains are full of minerals that make mining B.C.'s third most important industry.
• why water is an important resource for drinking, hydroelectricity, recreation, and industry
• the uses, benefits and economic impact of BC's resources; from traditional First Nations' to present day;
• the evolution of technology used in resource development and environmental and sustainability issues.
Canada, Continuity and Change: A History of Canada Since 1914 by Don Bogle, Don Quinlan and Eugene
D’Orazio (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2006) ISBN: 1-55041-581-6 [MS, SS]
This Canadian textbook explores the central events and experiences that have shaped the development of
Canada’s identity as a nation since the First World War. Its purpose is to expand knowledge of important
developments in Canada’s history…the issues, tensions, questions, and achievements that have emerged
over time. Students are invited to think, analyze, compare and evaluate ideas of the past. It helps students
see that studying Canadian history can be useful, enjoyable, and challenging.
Canada: Its Land and People (Second Edition) by Don Massey and Patricia N. Shields (Reidmore Books, 1995)
ISBN 1-895073-89-8 [MS]
This popular Canadian textbook asks students to look at the world as agreed upon in 1987 by the United
Nations –a viewpoint that has people consider how to live together without hurting each other or the
environment…to consider how decisions link us to each other and the environment. Chapters indicate a
regional approach to teaching Canada: "Prairie and Plain," "Canada's North," "The Great Lakes Lowland," and
so on. In each chapter, the reader meets a family of Canadians and learns about their lifestyle. The history of
each area helps show how the local economy, lifestyle, and architecture were shaped by time. Temperature
and precipitation records help convey what living in different regions of the country is like.
Page 10
Canada: Northern Neighbor by Donald K. Alper, Corie Jones, Robert L. Monahan and Donald C. Wilson
rd
(Western Washington University, 1999) [NB: A 3 Edition is in process – possibly available in 2016]
Canada: Northern Neighbor (2nd Edition), is a curriculum guidebook directed for use in grade levels ranging
from upper elementary to high school (Grades 5-9). The book focuses on the history, geography, economy,
government, culture and arts of Canada while emphasizing Canada's relationship with the United States.
Featuring teaching activities/lesson plans, reproducible maps and bibliographic references for printed
materials, films, software and Internet sites, the book's module format permits easy adaptation to existing
courses. You can download lesson plans at: www.k12studycanada.org/resources_northern_neighbor.html.
Canada: The Story of a Developing Nation (Grade 8) by Elspeth Deir, John Fielding, George Adams, Nick
Brune, Peter Grant, Stephanie Smith Abram and Carol White (McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, 2000) ISBN: 007-560738-7 [MS]
This Canadian school textbook introduces stories of the recent past that helps students understand Canada
today. It describes how people in four British colonies united into Confederation and how other territories in
British North America joined them until the nation stretched “from sea to sea” linked by a grand continental
railway. The impact of Immigrants who settled the West on government policies and Aboriginal Peoples is
examined. Canada’s history through global wars to today is explored as is the question of Canadian identity.
Canadian and World Politics by John Ruypers, Marion Austin, Patrick Carter and Terry G. Murphy (Emond
Montgomery Publications Ltd., 2005) ISBN-13: 978-1552390979 [SS]
Politics plays an important role in all aspects of society. Canadian and World Politics explores this
intersection of politics and human activity in terms of historical and cultural contexts. The text contains rich,
thought-provoking images and examples that link political movements to everyday life. Each chapter
contains a variety of features that entertain, inform, and absorb students in the learning process. - See more
at: http://www.emp.ca/canadian-and-world-politics.html#sthash.V1BvX8wz.dpuf.
Canadian Curriculum Teacher Helper (Grades 4-6) Workbook Series by Demetra Georgopoulos and Renee
Perry-Watson (GeoWat Innovative Teacher Publishing, 2002)
Each title is an information-rich reproducible unit that focuses on a specific topic. Written by Canadian
teachers, each includes a mix of reading projects and hands-on activities. A few titles are:
Canada’s Aboriginal People (Gr 4-6) ISBN-13: 1-89452718-6
Canada's Geographical Regions (Gr 4-6) ISBN-13: 978-1894527101
Canadian Government (Gr 4-6) ISBN-13: 978-1894527118 [NB: This can be downloaded free online from:
http://prrd.ab.ca/~dave.blemings/tech_conference_2008/FOV1-0001FFA8/FOV1-0001FFB6/FOV10001FFB8/Gr%204%20-%206%20Can%20Govt%20Workbook.pdf]
The Canadian Desk Atlas (Nystrom, 1970) ISBN-13: 978-0782505870 [ES, MS, SS]
This student atlas provides extensive coverage of Canada and the world with a balanced mix of maps, graphs,
tables, and photos. Sophisticated content is presented in remarkably clear, understandable formats. The
atlas can be purchased individually or as a classroom set. The corresponding Student Activities book helps
students assess and interpret geographical information to gain a better understanding of the world.
Organized around geographical themes, they promote critical thinking skills while providing an overview of
the various parts of the atlas and a review of basic map skills. 46 student activities in copy master format.
To view Herff-Jones/Nystrom’s Canadian product line and place orders, go to www.nystromnet.ca or
http://www.pinterest.com/nystromed/herff-jones-nystrom-atlases.
Canadian Geographic Quiz Book by Doug Maclean (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2000) ISBN-13: 9781550413922 [ES, MS, SS]
This book is a potpourri of over 1,000 informative, surprising and fun questions and answers about Canada’s
lakes, mountains, national parks, highways, tourist attractions, famous people and more… It’s perfect for
classrooms as well as road trips to Canada. It makes an excellent sourcebook for geography enthusiasts and
all of those curious to challenge and enrich their knowledge of Canada’s diverse geographical heritage.
Page 11
The Discovery Series by Oxford University Press includes student workbooks, with a teachers’ guide for each.
http://www.oupcanada.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?title=&author=&isbn=&subject=&level=&
series_code=DS [ES, MS]
Discovering Canada (2000) by Elizabeth Bisset, ISBN-13: 9780195414875
Discovering Canada's Government (2002) by Daniel Francis ISBN-13: 9780195416299
Discovering Canada’s Trading Partners (2001) by Elaine Ursel ISBN-13: 9780195416442
Discovering Canadian Pioneers (1999) by Marlene and Reginald Gutsole. [ES, MS]
Discovering First Peoples and First Contacts (2002) by John Smith ISBN-13: 9780195416589
Discovering Canada Using the Five Themes of Geography Ted Scott Henson (Frank Schaffer Publications,
1996) ISBN-13: 978-0764700156 [MS]
The 5 themes of geography are used to gain an understanding of the cultures of Canada. Student activity
sheets and extension activities are adaptable to students' needs. The author has written several books and is
an educational consultant now that he’s retired after 35 years of service in North Carolina education. During
that time he was named Outstanding Young Educator of North Carolina by the North Carolina Jaycees (1976)
and the North Carolina Teacher of the Year (1977). He served as President of the North Carolina Council for
the Social Studies, North Carolina Geographic Alliance, and National Social Studies Supervisors Association.
First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples: Exploring their Past, Present and Future by John Roberts with
activities by Randy Montgomery and Fred Sproule (Emond Montgomery, 2006) ISBN: 978-1552391679 [SS]
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples is a student-friendly, supplementary text intended for Law, Politics,
and History courses at the grade 10–12 level in Canada that addresses issues relating to Aboriginal peoples.
The text explores themes of globalization, citizenship, and nationalism from a First Peoples’ perspective.
Students will recognize that a unique culture exists in their midst, a culture with its own rules, myths, and
practices. See more at: http://www.emp.ca/first-nations-inuit-and-metis-peoples-exploring-their-past-present-andfuture.html#sthash.YRNeLbXD.dpuf
From Time Immemorial: The First People of the Pacific Northwest Coast by Diane Silvey (Pacific Edge
Publishing, 1999) ISBN: 978-1895110654 [ES, MS]
http://pacificedgepublishing.com/ccp8/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=PE076
From Time Immemorial provides an honest and up-to-date survey of the history of the coastal First Nations
from pre-contact to the present. The culture of the coastal people was highly complex. Although there were
many similarities, there were also many differences among the groups who shared the wealth of their lifesustaining environment. This book provides a broad overview of traditional ways common to a large number
of diverse groups. It encourages readers to learn more.
Junior Atlas of Canada and the World by Brenda Boreham (Pacific Edge Publishing, 2008) ISBN-13: 9781895110821 [ES]
http://pacificedgepublishing.com/ccp8/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=PE098C
The production of this atlas is a successful collaboration of elementary teachers determined to provide
primary students with a resource that is interesting, clear and easy to use. It provides children with simplified
political and physical maps of the world, the continents, Canada and the provinces. The clutter has been
kept to a minimum - only the most basic of facts and visual information is given so as not to distract young
eyes and minds. The colorful and clearly designed maps, fact pages and a simple index of the continents,
oceans and countries make discovering our world and country much easier for primary students. A Teacher’s
Guide/Workbook is also available.
Mounties for Kids: RCMP Activity Book by Tom Hunter (Heritage House, 2000) ISBN-13: 978-1894384100
[ES, MS]
When Tom Hunter introduced his original RCMP activity book more than ten years ago, it became an instant
hit and was followed by a second volume. Over the past decade there has been an emphasis on recruiting
women and members of diverse ethnic backgrounds, and Tom has now updated his images to reflect the
force's changing profile. In addition to recreating his favorite exercises from the earlier books, he has also
illustrated the broad spectrum of RCMP activities including the marine division and new community services.
Page 12
th
Regional Geography of the United States and Canada (4 Edition) by Tom L. McKnight (Pearson PrenticeHall, 2004) ISBN 0-13-101473-0
The well-known author of this best-selling book emphasizes the description and interpretation of North
American landscapes, including their development. Issues such as ecosystems, urban changes, agriculture,
and inland waterways are all visited in depth. Up-to-date maps and information make this book different
from any other on the market; it covers geographic content as a continental whole. An excellent addition to
any home or school library.
S&S Learning Materials Student Workbook Series - Various Grade Levels
http://teachers.scholarschoice.ca/teacher-ebooks/brand/s-s-learning-materials.html?p=5
These are just a few of the many titles available.
Scholastic Children’s Atlas of Canada (Scholastic Canada Ltd., 2006) ISBN-13: 978-0439974349 [ES]
An online review states that the atlas is “a fantastic early-elementary atlas. The clear, large-font type paired
with full color illustrations and interesting topics make the work accessible and engaging. Special features
include a section on maps and atlases….The atlas places Canada on the earth in reference to major
geographical features and other continents, gives an overview of the country, a chart of First Nations regions
and a pictorial timeline of European settlement to the present before devoting a 4-page section to each
Canadian province. Each includes overviews of the province, facts, flora, fauna, special geographic features,
and other interesting tidbits. The book closes with facts and demographics about Canada in a 2-page spread.
rd
World Explorer: The United States and Canada – 3 Student Edition by Brenda Randolph, Heidi Hayes Jacobs,
and Michal L. Levasseur (Prentice Hall, 2003) ISBN-13: 978-0130629760 [MS, SS]
This is an extensive school textbook series with corresponding student and teacher resources as well as
learning materials at both the Grade 6 and Grade 12 levels. Learn more at:
http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZu4y&PMDBSUBCATEGORYID=25661&PMDBSITEID=2
781&PMDBSUBSOLUTIONID=&PMDBSOLUTIONID=6724&PMDBSUBJECTAREAID=&PMDBCATEGORYID=815&
PMDbProgramID=10607
Picture Books / Myths, Legends and Folk Tales (15+)
Arctic Stories [and other titles] by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak; illustrated by Vladyana Krykorka (Annick Press,
1998) ISBN-13: 978-1550374520 [ES]
Acclaimed Inuit storyteller Michael Kusugak weaves a tapestry of three tales about ten-year-old Agatha and
her accidental heroism in the high Arctic of 1958. The stories resonate with the nostalgia and affection of
Kusugak's childhood memories. Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak spent his early childhood in Repulse Bay, NWT
(now Nunavut) with his nomadic hunting family, living a traditional Inuit life. He later attended a residential
school, the University of Saskatchewan, and worked for the government for 15 years before beginning his
storytelling career. He was encouraged to write by Robert Munsch, who co-authored his first book, A
Promise is a Promise (1988). His picture books, all illustrated by Vladyana Krykorka, deal with Inuit life and
traditions and show how stories can be used to teach history and culture. Each has a charm of its own.
Page 13
The Art Room by Susan Vande Griek; illustrated by Pascal Milelli (Groundwood Books, 2002) ISBN-13: 9780888994493 [ES, MS]
This richly illustrated story-poem celebrates the experience of learning to paint in the presence of a master
teacher. Set in the 1900s when artist Emily Carr (1871–1945) was teaching art to children, The Art Room
highlights Carr’s passion for painting the natural world and the sense of freedom she inspired in her
students. As a reviewer on Amazon.com states, "A wonderful book to introduce Emily Carr and her work and
to explore the art world."
Caribou Song by Tomson Highway; illustrated by Brian Deines (Harper Trophy Canada, 2001) ISBN-13: 9780002255226 [ES]
This is the first of a three-book series about two young Cree brothers who follow the caribou all year long,
tucked into their dog sled with their parents, are so busy playing and dancing, they don't hear the rumble of
the caribou and their parents seem to have disappeared. What should be a moment of terror turns into
something mystical and magical as the boys open their arms and their hearts to embrace the caribou spirit.
Uniquely written by Tomson Highway (whose adult plays and novel showcase his amazing storytelling talent)
in English, with a Cree translation alongside, and evocatively illustrated by Brian Deines, this picture book
beautifully transcends the children's genre. At www.redskyperformance.com/caribou-song-cree-language,
you can hear the story told by Red Sky. Interactive learning features on the site also let students hear a
caribou bull, watch a video of a migrating caribou herd and more.
The Cremation of Sam McGee [and other titles] by Robert W. Service; Illustrated by Ted Harrison (Kids
Can Press, 1986) ISBN: 0-919964-92-3 [ES, MS, SS]
The Cremation of Sam McGee is among the most famous of Robert W. Service's poems. It was published in
1907 in Songs of a Sourdough by the British-Canadian poet. It concerns the cremation of a prospector who
freezes to death near Lake Laberge, (spelled "Lebarge" by Service), Yukon, as told by the man who cremates
him. Inspired by his own experiences in the Yukon, the vivid descriptions of Canada’s North and its people
made it seem that he was a veteran of the Klondike Gold Rush, instead of the late-arriving bank clerk he
actually was. The poem became a staple of traditional campfire storytelling in North America throughout the
20th century. This as well as "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" are read widely in Canadian elementary schools.
A Dog Came, Too by Ainslie Manson; illustrated by Ann Blades (Antheneum, 1993) ISBN-13: 978-0689505676
[ES]
Many may not know that explorer Alexander MacKenzie was accompanied by a big brown dog on his long
journey to the Pacific Coast of Canada. “Our Dog”, as he was known to his companions, protected the
explorer and the Native guides that helped him all along his way. This book’s basis on MacKenzie’s journals
and focus on the role of Natives as well as that of the heroic Our Dog, brings new insight to this exploration
story. Told from the dog’s perspective, this story describes the adventures and excitement as well as the
dangers and difficulties of this voyage in words and pictures that will appeal to the very young as well old. A
wonderful jumping-off point for older readers interested in this extraordinary event in Canadian history.
Frog Girl (ISBN-13: 978-1582460482) and Storm Boy (ISBN-13: 978-1582460574) by Paul Owen Lewis (Pacific
Edge Publishing, 2001 and 1995 respectively) [ES, MS]
In Frog Girl, frogs have been stolen, an earthquake rumbles, a village is in peril. To restore calm to her land, a
girl must delve beneath the surface of a lake, deep into a spirit world. What she finds will thrill readers and
introduce them to a classic hero's journey.
In Storm Boy, After a violent sea storm, a Haida prince washes ashore in the supernatural realm of the
strange and colossal killer whale people. There his spiritual journey begins. Powerful illustrations make
stunning use of northwest coast Native American motifs to create a compelling atmosphere of mystery and
displacement. Over 50,000 copies in print! 1996 American Book Award winner 1995 Best Children's Book of
the Pacific Northwest 1996 Washington State Governor's Award winner.
Page 14
The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carriere; illustrated by Sheldon Cohen (Tundra Books, 1985) ISBN-13:
978-0887761744 [ES, MS, SS]
“The Hockey Sweater” is a WONDERFUL short story by Canadian author Roch Carrier and translated to
English (from its original French) by Sheila Fischman. First published in 1979, it was adapted in 1980 into an
animated short called The Sweater by the National Film Board of Canada. The film is charmingly narrated by
the author and illustrated by Sheldon Cohen. Both are must-read/see classics. There is surprising depth of
content inherent in the story based on Carrier's childhood in Sainte-Justine, Quebec in 1946. “The Hockey
Sweater” is considered an iconic work of Canadian literature. It exemplifies the nation's passion for hockey
while also being an allegory of the relationship and tensions that exist between francophones and
anglophones. The story is popular throughout the entire nation and taught at K-16 levels.
How the Loon Lost Her Voice by Anne Cameron; illustrated by Tara Miller (Harbour Publishing, 1985) ISBN13: 978-0920080559 [ES, MS]
The famous northwest coast Indian myth, sometimes called "Raven Steals the Light" telling how Loon, Raven,
and all the animals rallied to retrieve the daylight from behind its wall of ice after it was stolen by evil spirits.
Amusingly retold for ages six to adult by the well-known Canadian poet and novelist.
Jason’s New Dugout Canoe by Joe Barber-Starkey; illustrated by Paul Montpellier (Harbour Publishing, 2000)
ISBN-13: 978-1550172294 [ES]
This delightful story of a Nuu-chah-nulth boy is the sequel to the B.C. children's classic Jason and the Sea
Otter. This book explores First Nations traditions and values through the making of a canoe. Jason's first
canoe is crushed during a storm, and he must replace it. Through Uncle Silas, he learns the traditional
methods of canoe building - plus scores of stories and legends about his heritage. In an entertaining way,
Jason's New Dugout Canoe also teaches the important lesson of patience, plus respect and reverence for
nature and all its creatures. The story is packed with stunning, full-color illustrations by Paul Montpellier,
which one reviewer has described as "wonderfully clear and detailed, capturing both closeness to nature and
a sense of continuity of Native tradition."
Kwulasulwut: Stories from the Coast Salish (1992) and Kwulasulwut II: More Stories from the Coast Salish
(1997) by Ellen White and David Neel (Theytus Books) [MS]
Five Salish stories retold by Salish Native Studies teacher, Ellen White are in the first volume. Young readers
discover one of life’s lessons from each journey into natural and supernatural world of the Northwest Coast.
The sequel features four more freshly written and translated English versions of traditional Salish legends
adapted for children.
Laura Secord’s Brave Walk by Connie Brummel Crook; illustrated by June Lawrason (Second Story Press,
2000) ISBN-13: 978-1896764344 [ES, MS]
Laura Secord is a legendary figure in Canadian history whose story many liken to the tale of Paul Revere. This
picture book tells the story of Laura's fearlessness in her journey to warn Lieutenant FitzGibbon of an
impending American attack on Beaver Dams (now Thorold, Ontario) during the War of 1812. Connie
Brummel Cook published Acts of Courage: Laura Secord and the War of 1812, a history-based but fictional
biography of Laura…perhaps inspired by Barbara Greenwood's 2012 review: “...it would be a shame to limit
Laura Secord's Brave Walk to a... young readership. The story is complex enough to involve older readers.
With intermediate students, teachers could very effectively use this as a read-aloud to introduce the War of
1812 and stimulate discussion about battlefield conditions then as well as the effects of war on families.”
M is for Maple by Michael Umber; illustrated by Rose (Sleeping Bear Press, 2004) ISBN-13: 978-1585362356
[ES]
"M is for Maple" is a shining tribute to Canada. From British Columbia to Newfoundland, this Canadian
alphabet book shares the nation's symbols, history, people and culture. In clever rhymes and informative
text, the unique details and beauty and splendor of Canada are revealed. Destined to become a national
classic, M is for Maple is a treasure for Canadians young and old. Note: Sleeping Bear Press (Ann Arbor, MI)
also publishes a series of provincial alphabet books by that are simply charming. See
http://sleepingbearpress.com/shop/search_results?search%5Bbisac_subjects_code_in%5D=JNF025050
Page 15
Maple Moon by Connie Brummel Crook; illustrated by Scott Cameron (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1999) ISBN13: 978-0773760981 [ES]
To create this enchanting fictional account of how maple syrup might have been first discovered. Connie
Brummel Crook borrows elements from some of the many prevailing traditional folk takes. In finding this
new source of nourishment, her young protagonist, a native boy named Rides the Wind, is able to help his
people through a harsh winter. His pride also boosts his confidence in spite of a physical disability, and he is
able to rise above the cruel taunts of other children
Storm at Batoche by Maxine Trottier; illustrated by John Mantha (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2006) ISBN-13:
978-1550051032 [ES, MS]
During a fierce prairie storm, James falls out of his family’s wagon and his calls for help are lost in the howl of
the wind. After his parents vanish into the blizzard, a man on horseback appears and takes James to the
safety and warmth of his small cabin. The man will only say that his name is Louis. This imaginary encounter
between the controversial historical figure Louis Riel and a young boy brings to light how insignificant the
differences between people are and the tragic consequences of not remembering how much we all share.
The historical context for the story is found in the Afterword. On the last page of the book there is an easy
recipe for gallette/bannock. See http://www.maxinetrottier.com/storm.pdf for an activity sheet to use in
classrooms.
Yetsa's Sweater by Sylvia Olsen; illustrated by Joan Larson (Sono Nis Press, 2006) ISBN-13: 978-1550392029
[ES, MS]
Yetsa loves helping her grandmother prepare new fleece and turn it into spinning wool for the special
Cowichan sweaters she knits all winter. The author takes you through the artful traditional process of
sweater-making while also revealing the warm relationship shared by grandmother and granddaughter. Each
sweater is unique, and its design tells a story. In Yetsa's Sweater, that story is one of love, welcome and pride
in a job well done. Illustrations lovingly depict cultural traditions in vibrant pastel tones.
Sylvia Olsen also tells the non-fiction tale of Cowichan sweaters in her 2010 book Working with Wool: A
Coast Salish Legacy and the Cowichan Sweater. It draws on her experience, academic research, and fourdecade friendships with Coast Salish women—a wonderful way to introduce readers to Coast Salish people.
Youth Fiction (Short Stories and Novels) (40)
Note: The CD-ROMs with asterisks* below are included in the K-12 STUDY CANADA Student Novel Collection (teacher loan-kit).
Ambush in the Foothills* by Bill Freeman (Lorimer, 2000) ISBN-13: 978-1550287165 [ES, MS]
Kate and Jamie Bains are stranded at Fort Walsh in the Cyprus Hills when the novel opens. It is 1877 and to
earn a little money to get home, they agree to help their friend Patrick McNeil drive a herd of cattle from
Montana to the foothills country in Canada.The Blackfoot Nation controls the territory they must cross,
and outlaws lurk in the foothills waiting for an opportunity to strike. If Kate and Jamie hope to make it
back alive only strength of character and raw courage will help them.This is the ninth book in the bestselling Bains Series of historical novels for young readers 10 to 14, written by Bill Freeman. The book is
illustrated with 19th century photos that describes the life of the cowboys and the Blackfoot people.
Anne of Green Gables (Series) by Lucy Maude Montgomery (Seal Books, 1983) ISBN-13: 978-0770422059
(Many publishers and boxed collections available) [ES, MS, SS]
Written as fiction for readers of all ages, the literary classic has been considered a children's novel since
the mid-twentieth century. It recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, a young orphan girl, initially age 11,
who is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a middle-aged brother and sister who have a
farm on Prince Edward Island and who had intended to adopt a boy to help them. The novel recounts how
Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts, in school and within the town. Since publication, the novel has
sold more than 50 million copies and has been translated into 20 languages. Numerous sequels were
written by Montgomery, and since her death another sequel has been published, as well as an authorized
Page 16
prequel. The original book is taught to students around the world. It has been adapted as films, made-fortelevision movies, and animated and live-action television series. A 1985 Canadian-produced movie with
Anne Shirley played by Megan Follows is wonderful [see http://anne.sullivanmovies.com to learn more
about the 3-DVD set]. Plays and musicals have also been created, with productions annually in Canada
since 1964.
The series books in chronological order:
1. Anne of Green Gables*
2. Anne of Avonlea*
3. Anne of the Island*
4. Anne of Windy Poplars
5. Anne's House of Dreams
6. Anne of Ingleside
7. Rainbow Valley
8. Rilla of Ingleside
According to Jake and the Kid* by W.O. Mitchell (McClelland & Stewart; Reissue 1994) ISBN-13: 9780771060717 [ES, MS]
This book is a sequel to Jake and the Kid by renowned Canadian author W. O. Mitchell. Many stories in the
series appeared in Maclean's prior to the book's publication. The first was published in 1961 and the
sequel in 1989. Both are set in the 1940s and 1950s with "The Kid" at the center of the stories. They
revolve around his life on a farm in fictional Crocus, Saskatchewan (a town in constant ferment). “Jake” is
the hired hand who helps the Kid’s mother run the farm who now keeps the Kid abreast of events in the
greater world and in Crocus. The town is rich in characters and disputes that readers of all ages, in truth,
can enjoy.
The Adventure.net Series by Andrea and David Spalding (Whitecap Books, 1999) [ES, MS]
The Lost Sketch* [ISBN: 1-55110-989-1] is the first book in the Adventure.net series following Willow and
Rick as they travel across Canada with their parents. This new series is unique as it incorporates intriguing
non-fiction fact boxes and actual internet sites into the fiction story. See the authors’ website to see
additional titles and view the Teachers' Guides that are available: www.andreaspalding.com/t_guides.htm.
Boys’ Own edited by Tim Wynne-Jones (Puffin Canada, 2002) ISBN-13: 978-0141309415 [ES, MS]
and Girls’ Own edited by Sarah Ellis (Puffin Canada, 2002) ISBN-13: 978-0141309934 [ES, MS]
These two anthologies of short fiction aim to take up the torch for the old children’s magazines which gave
younger readers lively stories to dip into at odd moments. These collections have the same feeling of a box
of treasures for their readers. The marvels, of course, are the stories themselves.... The entries in each
collection are equally interesting and engaging. Some of the stories are told like folk-tales or legends; some
are science-fiction or gothic ghost-stories; some are absurdist and some absurdly typical. The authors
include editors Sarah Ellis and Tim Wynne-Jones themselves, as well as Joy Kogawa, R.P. MacIntyre, Bill
Richardson and Kit Pearson, an illustrious collection of writers for children and adults. And the collection is
thoroughly Canadian in every sense, with settings from a Saskatchewan prairie winter to Newfoundland
coastal waters, from Montréal to the Gulf Islands, and characters who root for the Blue Jays, fish for
pickerel, try to learn Quebec French as well as Polish, and survive on hockey-fantasies. The protagonists of
these stories, European, aboriginal, immigrant, alien, suburbanites, are particularly poignant, with
immigrant-anxieties, desires for social status, fear and love of aggression, consciousness of their own and
their parents’ fallibility and weakness. (Based on a review at http://canlit.ca/reviews/for_young_readers)
A Bushel of Light* by Troon Harrison (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2000) ISBN-13: 978-0773761407 [ES, MS]
Six years ago, Maggie was torn from her twin sister and sent to Canada as a Barnardo Home child.
Orphaned and completely alone, she found herself living with the Howards, a falling-apart family with a
falling-apart farm. Now, just 14 years old, Maggie is already responsible for all of the housework, a great
deal of the farm work, and the care of the Howard's four-year-old daughter, Lizzy. Maggie is meant to stay
on the farm for seven more years, but then how would she ever find her sister again? With the words run
away whispering through her head, Maggie struggles to find a way to save both herself and Lizzy.
Page 17
Call of the Wild* by Jack London (Aerie Books, 1990) ISBN-13: 978-0812504323 [ES, MS, SS]
Though not a Canadian author, Jack London’s novel is a classic must-read. Published originally in 1903, the
story is set in the Yukon during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush. The novel's central character is a dog named
Buck, a domesticated dog living at a ranch in the Santa Clara valley of California as the story opens. Stolen
from his home and sold into the brutal existence of an Alaskan sled dog, Buck is forced to adjust to, and
survive, cruel treatments and fight to dominate other dogs in a harsh climate. Eventually he sheds the
veneer of civilization, relying on primordial instincts and lessons he learns, to emerge as a leader in the
wild. London lived for most of a year in the Yukon collecting material for the book. The story was
serialized in the Saturday Evening Post in the summer of 1903; and released in book form a month later.
The novel was so popular, the story was adapted to film as early as 1908 and several others since then.
Our Canadian Girl: Treasury Volume 1 by Sharon McKay (the Penelope books), Lynne Kositsky (the Rachel
books), Julie Lawson (the Emily books), Kathy Stinson (the Marie-Claire books) (Viking Canada, 2003 )
ISBN-13: 978-0670044849 [ES, MS]
This series of historical fiction books bring Canada's past to life by telling the stories of Canadian girls from
different places and times in Canadian history, and each of them meets some ordinary—and
extraordinary—challenges in her day-to-day life. The girls themselves may be fictional but the events are
not. This Treasury is a set of four books that introduce a few of the girls. In Emily: Across the James Bay
Bridge, Emily discovers B.C.'s Chinatown in 1896 and befriends Hing, her middle-class family's servant. In
Penelope: Terror in the Harbour, Penelope's world is rocked-literally-with the 1917 Halifax harbor
explosion. In Marie-Claire: Dark Spring, Marie-Claire's life in 1885 Montreal is turned topsy-turvy amidst a
smallpox outbreak and some drastic family changes, and in Rachel: A Mighty Big Imagining, Rachel, a freed
slave, dreams of a better life in Nova Scotia, only to find that Canada brings its own set of hardships.
Note: Books about several other girls have since been added to this very popular series: Angelique books
by Cora Taylor; Keeley books by Deborah Ellis; Izzie books by Budge Wilson; Millie books by Troon
Harrison; Lisa books by Priscilla Galloway; and Margit books by Kathy Kacer.
Cariboo Runaway* by Sandy Frances Duncan (Pacific Edge Publishing, 1998) ISBN: 9781895110609 [ES, MS]
Disguised as a boy, 13-year-old Elva Parkhurst leaves Victoria in 1864 to find her father somewhere in the
Cariboo where he has been prospecting for six years. Elva is outraged when her brother, Tim, follows her
on board the S.S. Beaver. Together they journey 500 miles up the Cariboo Wagon Road--moving from
adventure to adventure. When they finally arrive in Barkerville, they discover their father is in jail! Can his
children free him? Popular throughout the Pacific Northwest as a vehicle for introducing children to the
gold rush, Cariboo Runaway continues to be an excellent language-based Social Studies resource. In this
latest edition, the original plot and accurate details of the Cariboo Gold Rush remain; new illustrations by
Stuart Duncan and the addition of historical notes and a glossary improve on the original. For the Teacher’s
Guide, see http://pacificedgepublishing.com/ccp8/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=PE002.
Dear Canada Series (Scholastic Canada Ltd., 2001--) [ES, MS, SS]
This series of [currently 35] historical novels is marketed at older girls. First published in 2001 by
Scholastic, the books are similar to those in the Dear America series—each is written in the form of a diary
of a fictional young woman living during an important event in Canadian history. They are very popular
amongst Canadian readers and cover both popular and little known topics such as Home Children, North
West Resistance, the 1837 Rebellion, and many more periods in Canadian history. The books are written
by a variety of well-known Canadian writers of youth fiction. Tor Teaching with Dear Canada guides, see
http://www.scholastic.ca/dearcanada/books/#diaries
Page 18
The Girl on Evangeline Beach* by Anne Carter (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2000) ISBN-13: 978-0773761391
[MS, SS]
Michael Denshaw's life is hanging in the balance. After a severe beating by thugs at school, his body is left
broken and bleeding on an abandoned set of railroad tracks. As he slips into a coma, Michael's world splits
in two and he is given a second chance at life. He finds himself in Nova Scotia, in a time just before the
deportation of the Acadians. There, he meets a beautiful girl named Marie and begins to fall in love with
her. Life seems idyllic but Michael knows that tragedy looms for he has encountered Marie before - as a
ghost on a lonely stretch of beach back in his own time. Michael soon learns that his fate is inexplicably
entwined with Marie's, and that to save his own life, he must first save hers. The Girl on Evangeline Beach
is a wonderful coming-of-age adventure set against a most tragic occurrence in Canadian history.
Gold Fever Trail* by Monica Hughes (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2000) ISBN-13: 978-0773672796 [ES, MS]
In 1897, Dawson City on the banks of the Yukon River was the scene of the greatest gold rush the world
has ever known...the Klondike Gold Rush. More than 20, 000 men across rugged trails and mountains to
reach this land where fortunes could be made in a day. Two adventurous children go to the Klondike, too.
Their mother is dead and their father is missing somewhere along the gold rush trail. So Henry and Sarah
Thorpe stow away aboard a ship and search for their father-the first of many hardships to come...
Hannah & the Spindle Whorl by Carol Anne Shaw (Ronsdale Press, 2010) ISBN-13: 978-1553801030 [ES,
MS, SS]
Hannah lives on a houseboat with her father on BC’s Cowichan Bay. One day, she follows a mysterious
raven to a forest cave and finds a spindle whorl. It is brought to the attention of an archeologist who soon
explores the cave with a team of researchers. When Hannah next visits the cave, she is transported to
another time and finds herself in the Coast Salish village of TIulpalus. She becomes fast friends with Yisella
and Hannah quickly adapts to this new time and place. She learns a great deal about Coast Salish culture,
community and lifestyle—and so do the readers. The two friends are separated when white settlers come
to the village, and Hannah is transported back to her own time. The book also deals with grief issues.
The Hollow Tree* by Janet Lunn (Puffin, 2002) ISBN-13: 978-0142301425 [ES, MS]
It is 1777, and Phoebe is thrown headlong into the turmoil of war when her beloved cousin is hanged as a
British spy. When she finds his secret message to the British general, she decides to deliver it herself to
Fort Ticonderoga. She has never been away from her small village, and knows nothing about survival in the
wilderness, or dealing with warring Patriots and Tories. She's going to need help to survive . . . but whose?
"A tense, atmospheric story . . . Brings to life this important chapter in American history." (Booklist)…[and
Canadian history] (Tina Storer)
I Am Canada Series (Scholastic Canada Ltd., 2010--)
Targeted to young male readers, Scholastic launched a historical fiction series similar to the Dear Canada
series in 2010. Boys can experience Canada’s past through the eyes of young men who lived it. The
currently available book titles (and authors) are listed below. These books are also written by a variety of
well-known Canadian writers of youth fiction.
• Blood and Iron: Building the Railway, Lee Heen-gwong, British Columbia, 1882 by Paul Yee (2010)
• Prisoner of Dieppe: World War II, Alistair Morrison, Occupied France, 1942 by Hugh Brewster (2010)
• Shot at Dawn: World War I, Allan McBride, France, 1917 by John Wilson (2011)
• Deadly Voyage: RMS Titanic, Jamie Laidlaw, April 14, 1912 by Hugh Brewster (2011)
• Behind Enemy Lines: World War II, Sam Frederiksen, Nazi-Occupied Europe, 1944 by C. Matas (2012)
• A Call to Battle: War of 1812, Alexander MacKay, Upper Canada, 1812 by Gillian Chan (2012)
• Storm the Fortress: The Siege of Quebec, William Jenkins, New France, 1759 by M. Trottier (2013)
• Fire in the Sky: World War I, Paul Townend, Over No Man's Land, 1916 by David Ward (2013)
• Graves of Ice: The Lost Franklin Expedition, George Chambers, Northwest Passage, 1845 by J. Wilson
(2014)
• Sink and Destroy: The Battle of the Atlantic, Bill O'Connell, North Atlantic, 1940 by E. Kay (2014)
• Defend or Die: The Siege of Hong Kong, Jack Finnigan, Hong Kong, 1941 by Gillian Chan (2015)
Page 19
If I Just Had Two Wings* by Virginia Frances Scwartz (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2002) ISBN-13: 9780773761926 [ES, MS]
13-year-old Phoebe has always dreamed of leaving her life as a slave behind. She has heard whispers
about a secret path to freedom and has seen what can happen to those who take it and fail. When she
meets Liney, a strong young woman who picks cotton next to her, they form a plan to escape together.
One night, Poebe, Liney, and Liney’s two small children flee under cover of darkness. Following clues from
the songs and stories they have heard, the runaways elude slave catchers and reach the first stop on the
Underground Railroad. It is only one safe house in a chain that leads all the way north to Canada. But
between them and freedom, lie miles and miles of unfriendly country and dangers too horrible to imagine.
Jason’s Gold* by Will Hobbs (Harper Collins, 2000) ISBN13: 9780380729142 [ES, MS]
Although not a Canadian author, this award-winning book is included because of its popularity with young
boys who enjoy the adventure and focus on the Klondike Gold Rush… "Gold!" Jason shouted at the top of
his lungs. "Read all about it! Gold discovered in Alaska!" Within hours of hearing the thrilling news,
fifteen-year-old Jason Hawthorn jumps a train for Seattle, stows away on a ship bound for the goldfields,
and joins thousands of fellow prospectors attempting the difficult journey to the Klondike. The Dead Horse
Trail, the infamous Chilkoot Pass and more lay ahead of him.
The King’s Daughter* by Suzanne Martel (Groundwoods Books, 1994) ISBN-13: 978-0888992185 [ES, MS]
Jeanne Chatel has always dreamed of adventure. So when the 18-year old orphan is summoned to sail
from France to the wilds of North America to become a ‘king's daughter’ and marry a French settler, she
doesn't hesitate. Her new husband is not the dashing military man she has dreamed of, but a trapper with
two small children who lives in a small cabin in the woods. With her husband away trapping much of the
time, Jeanne faces danger daily, but the bravery and spirit that brought her to this wild place never fail
her, and she soon learns to be truly at home in her new land.
Lambs of Hell’s Gate* by Mary-Liz Bright. (Pacific Edge Publishing) [ES, MS]
This is the story of a young Chinese girl who travelled to Canada to find her brother and bring him back to
China because their father had died working on the railiroad linking to Canada’s West. It is a story of the
physical hardship and racism that the Chinese endured in Canada but it is also a story of the unlikely
friendship between a young Chinese girl and a railway worker who befriended and protected her. And it is
the story of the building of the railway and the incredible event in which the S.S. Skuzzy was pulled
through Hell's Gate by Chinese workers hanging on to the cliffs of the Fraser Canyon and pulling on ropes
attached to the ship. Children will be caught up in the suspense of the personal story of Mui and her
brother while learning about Canada’s history. A Teacher's Guide is available linking to Grade 5 Social
Studies curriculum in BC.
http://pacificedgepublishing.com/ccp8/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=PE100PDF.
The Last Safe House: A Story of the Underground Railroad* by Barbara Greenwood; illustrated by Heather
Collins (Kids Can Press, 1998) ISBN-13: 978-1550745092 [ES, MS]
This is the dramatic story of the Underground Railroad as seen through the eyes of two young girls -- Eliza,
a runaway slave from a Virginia plantation, and Johanna, whose family gives her refuge in St. Catharines,
Canada West (now Ontario). In a unique mix of fact and fiction, each chapter is followed by background
information and hands-on activities. Kids learn about life on a cotton plantation, about abolitionists who
fought to have slavery made illegal, and about the heroic actions of Canadians who sheltered runaway
slaves. Detailed drawings accompany the text making the book a comprehensive, all-in-one resource.
Page 20
Lost in the Barrens* by Farley Mowat (Bantam Starfire Book, 1985) ISBN-13: 978-0553275254 [MS, SS]
Awasin and Jamie, brothers in courage, meet a challenge many mountain men could not endure. When
their canoe is destroyed by the fury of the rapids, they must face the wilderness with no food and no hope
of rescue. To survive, they build an igloo, battle a towering grizzly bear, track several wolves, and
slaughter caribou for food and clothing. Two lost huskies they tame bring companionship--and maybe a
way home from their dangerous adventure. Author Farley Mowat was born in Belleville, Ontario in 1921
and began writing for his living in 1949 after spending two years in the Arctic. Since then, he has lived in or
visited almost every part of Canada and many other lands, including the distant regions of Siberia. He has
twenty-five books to his name, which have been published in translations in over 20 languages in more
than 60 countries. One of his most popular novels is Never Cry Wolf which was made into a feature film.
Lucy Maud and Me* by Mary Frances Coady (Dundern Press, 1999) ISBN-13: 978-0888783981 [ES, MS]
It is 1942, and 12-year-old Laura Campbell arrives in Toronto, a city bustling with the war effort and news
from abroad. While looking for something to do in the grandfather's quite neighborhood, she meets the
reclusive woman living across the street. Laura is stunned to realize she is in the presence of Lucy Maud
Montgomery, the very same writer who penned her favorite novels. According to an editorial review,
"Coady has employed Montgomery's own journals and writings to re-create the life of a remarkable
woman for a new generation of young fans. This is a novel to be read ... for its revelation of a much-loved
author in whom so many readers have found a 'kindred spirit.' Recommended."
Maybe Tomorrow* by Joan Weir (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2001) ISBN13: 9780773674868 [MS]
It seems only yesterday that we arrived at this school, each of us alone, each of us searching, each of us a
little afraid. Suddenly the year is over. We are leaving. Again, each of us will be alone. But each has
discovered there is no need to be afraid. For no matter how far apart two friends must journey, it is still
the same sunrise. And, maybe tomorrow, what we have all been searching for will all come clear. In a time
when Canada is still young and prejudice against its native peoples still socially acceptable, two girls from
different worlds come together to form a friendship that defies the odds.
My Name is Sepeetza* by Shirley Sterling (Groundwood Books, 1998) ISBN-13: 978-0888991652 [ES, MS]
Her name was Seepeetza when she was at home with her family. But now that she's living at the Indian
residential school her name is Martha Stone, and everything else about her life has changed as well. Told
in the honest voice of a sixth grader, this is the story of a young Native girl forced to live in a world
governed by strict nuns, arbitrary rules, and a policy against talking in her own dialect, even with her
family. Seepeetza finds bright spots, but most of all she looks forward to summers and holidays at home.
Napachee* by Robert Feagan (Dundurn, 2006) ISBN-13: 978-1550026368 [ES, MS]
Napachee is tired of Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories. He is tired of the traditional Inuit hunt and of
fighting with his father, who shuns snowmobiles for dog sleds and tents for igloos. When two men from
the Edmonton zoo fly in to capture a polar bear cub, Napachee spies his chance at a trip to the big city, but
soon discovers that life there is not what he had expected. One reviewer states: "This spellbinding tale
envelops the reader in the fascinating life and culture of the Inuit and Invialuit. The glossary at the back of
the book translates the Aboriginal words, while a map of Nunavut and the Arctic area north fo the 60th
parallel covers the journey made by Napachee and Jo. Highly recommended."
No Time to Say Goodbye: Children's Stories of Kuper Island Residential School by Sylvia Olsen, with Rita
Morris and Ann Sam (Orca Book Publishers, 2001) ISBN-13: 978-1550391213 [ES, MS]
This fictional account of five children sent to aboriginal boarding school, based on the recollections of a
number of Tsartlip First Nations people, is compelling. Taken by government agents from Tsartlip Day
School to live at Kuper Island Residential School on one of the small Gulf Islands located between
Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland, the five children feel isolated and life becomes regimented by the
strict school routine. They experience the pain of homesickness and confusion while trying to adjust.
Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, it is a story that readers of all ages will remember.
Page 21
Owls in the Family* by Farley Mowat (Yearling Press, 1996) ISBN-13: 978-0440413615 [ES, MS]
Every child needs to have a pet. No one could argue with that. But what happens when your pet is an owl,
and your owl is terrorizing the neighborhood? In Farley Mowat's exciting children's story, a young boy's
pet menagerie – which includes crows, magpies, gophers and a dog – grows out of control with the
addition of two cantankerous pet owls. The story of how Wol and Weeps turn the whole town upside
down is warm, funny, and bursting with adventure and suspense.
Raven’s Flight* by Diana Silvey (Raincoast Books, 2002) ISBN-13: 978-1551923444 [SS]
Raven leaves her Salish home on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast in search of her missing sister Marcie, reportedly
"working" on Vancouver's lower east side. When Raven wanders Lost Alley, flashing Marcie's picture and
asking tough questions, she gets a host of testimonials from the addicted and homeless but few answers.
When Ben and Bertie, a young boy and elderly woman living on the street, tell her Marcie is wanted by a
kidnapping ring abducting children to be smuggled across the Pacific for auction to sweatshops in the East,
Raven puts together clues from Marcie's recovered diary and traces the culprits to the docks. Based on
true stories of those living in the worst ghetto in North America, with an appendix of help-line and
resource information, this hard-edged story is part harsh truth, part preventative fiction.
Rebellion* by W.J. Scanlon (General Publishing Co. Ltd, 1989) ISBN-13: 978-1550051186 [ES, MS]
Caught up in the Riel Rebellion of 1885, fifteen-year-old Jack Rawlins, son of English settlers, falls into the
hands of Gabriel Dumont and the Métis after the Battle of Duck Lake during the 1885 Resistance. He starts
out as a prisoner but soon joins the rebels. This tale brings Canadian history to life through the eyes of a
boy swept into a battle between his own people and those he has grown to love.
The Screech Owl Series by Roy MacGregor (McClelland & Stewart) [ES, MS]
The Screech Owls is a series of juvenile fiction novels by Roy MacGregor. They are high interest low
reading level books that appeal strongly to young male readers. There are currently 22 titles in the series.
Team captain, Travis Lindsay, takes us on tour with the Screech Owls hockey team as they compete around
the world in their books. Not even sabotage, theft, murder, kidnapping, or terrorism can keep the Owls
away. The Quebec City Crisis* (pictured) is included in the K-12 STUDY CANADA Student Novel loan-kit.
Steel Across the Plains: Canada Moves West by Pierre Berton (Adventures in Canadian History Series McClelland and Stewart, 1992) ISBN-13: 978-0771014413 [ES, MS]
The Adventures in Canadian History Series offers fast-paced non-fiction narratives aimed at pre-teen and
young teenage readers. These stories of determination and hardship tell of the pioneers who opened up
the vast and inhospitable West and, in a very real way, created Canada. What is unique about this book is
its focus on the building of Canada’s transnational railway by Pierre Berton, one of Canada's most beloved
and prolific authors. He wrote 50 books on popular culture and Canadian history for children and adults.
Terra Incognita by Anne Metikosh (Ronsdale Press, 2000) ISBN-13: 978-0921870760 [ES, MS]
This young adult historical novel, set in the early seventeenth century, tells the story of Madeleine Hebert
and her brother Philippe who travel to New France to join their father after their mother dies in France. In
writing this historical novel, Metikosh has done a superb job of recreating history as it might have been
experienced by a young woman.
This Land: A Cross-Country Anthology of Canadian Fiction for Young Readers selected by Kit Pearson
(Puffin Canada, 1999) ISBN: 0-670-87896-0 [ES, MS, SS]
In This Land, Governor General's Award-winning children's author Kit Pearson has collected stories that
not only entertain readers both young and old, but also offer remarkable impressions of the vast and
varied land in which Canadians live. Pearson’s literary selections lead us from coast to coast and from past
to present to explore this land and our relationship to it. Selections from beloved children's authors
reinforce the cultural uniqueness of Canada. Pearson has compiled a treasury of first-rate children's stories
that provide a tapestry of Canada as promised in the introduction. The anthology testifies to the quality of
Canadian literature and the importance of “place”.
Page 22
Ticket to Curlew by Celia Barker Lottridge (Groundwood Books, 2007) ISBN-13: 978-0888998439 [ES, MS ]
It is 1915. Endless stretches of grassland against a boundless sky are all Sam Ferrier sees when he and his
father arrive in Curlew, Alberta, to build a new house for their family. He wonders why his restless father
would move them to this lonely, barren place, so different from Iowa. Sam gradually discovers that there is
much more to the prairie than he realized. And when, one day, he finds that his little brother has suddenly
disappeared, Sam discovers that this new land can be both awesome and terrifying. Young readers join the
Ferriers as they learn to survive the prairie's brutal winters and devastating isolation and as Sam makes
new friends with a brave and resourceful horse named Prince.
Tunnels of Time by Mary Harelkin Bishop (Tunnels of Moose Jaw Adventure Series - Coteau Books, 2000)
ISBN-13: 978-1550501643 [ES, MS]
This is book one in a series of wild looking-glass trips through time, from present-day Moose Jaw to the
past of Prohibition and gangsters and the mysterious underground tunnels. Thirteen-year-old Andrea
Talbot agrees to look at what she thinks is just a phony tourist attraction - tunnels beneath the streets of
Moose Jaw. Legend has it that in Prohibition days the tunnels sheltered crooks, maybe even the notorious
Al Capone himself. Andrea scoffs until a small accident with a mirror at the tunnel entrance brings her to
another time and begins a series of exciting adventures that will lure readers into the past as well.
The Underground Railroad: Next stop, Toronto! by Adrienne Shadd, Afua Cooper and Karolyn Smardz Frost
(Natural Heritage, 2009) ISBN-13: 978-1554884292 [ES, MS]
This is a richly illustrated book that examines the urban connection of the clandestine system of secret
routes, safe houses and "conductors." Not only does it trace the story of the Underground Railroad itself
and how people courageously made the trip north to Canada and freedom but it also explores what
happened to them after they arrived. And it does so using never-before-published information on the
African-Canadian community of Toronto. Based entirely on new research carried out for the experiential
theatre show "The Underground Railroad: Next Stop, Freedom!" at the Royal Ontario Museum, this
volume offers new insights into the rich heritage of the Black people who made Toronto their home before
the Civil War and portrays life in the city during the nineteenth century in considerable detail.
Underground to Canada by Barbara Smucker (Puffin Canada, 2013) ISBN-13: 978-0143187899 [ES, MS, SS]
Taken away from her mother by a ruthless slave trader, all Julilly has left is the dream of freedom. Every
day that she spends huddled in the slave trader’s wagon travelling south or working on the brutal new
plantation, she thinks about the land where it is possible to be free, a land she and her friend Liza may
reach someday. So when workers from the Underground Railroad offer to help the two girls escape, they
are ready. But the slave catchers and their dogs will soon be after them…. The book contains a glossary
and bibliography for those interested in learning more about the UGRR to Canada.
Who Has Seen the Wind by W.O. Mitchell (New Canadian Library, 2001) ISBN: 978-0771034756 [MS, SS]
As we enter the world of four-year-old Brian O’Connal, his father the druggist, his Uncle Sean, his mother,
and his formidable Scotch grandmother (“she belshes…a lot”), it soon becomes clear that this is no
ordinary book. As we watch Brian grow up, the prairie and its surprising inhabitants like the Ben and Saint
Sammy – and the rich variety of small-town characters – become unforgettable. In fact, when W.O.
Mitchell died in 1998 he was described as “Canada's best-loved writer.” Every commentator agreed that
his best – and his best-loved – book was Who Has Seen the Wind. Since it was first published in 1947, this
book has sold almost a million copies in Canada and is often taught in Grade 9-10 classrooms.
Will’s Garden by Lee Maracle (Theytus Books, 2008) ISBN-13: 978-1894778596 [ MS, SS]
Will's Garden is author Lee Maracle's first novel that crosses over into Young Adult Fiction. This coming of
age story of a young Sto: loh man is set in Sto: loh territory. Will takes the time to re-look at the women in
his life, consider his future as a Sto: loh caretaker of the land in the modern world, while dealing with
common issues of a teenager, problems with bullying, sexuality, love and illness. Will's Garden explores
and describes the ceremonial traditions of Sto: loh boys who are becoming men.
Page 23
Youth Non-Fiction (20)
100 Canadian Heroines: Famous and Forgotten Faces by Merna Forster (Dundurn, 2004) ISBN: 1-5502514-7 [MS, SS]
Merna Forster has created the ultimate guide to cool Canadian women from every corner of the country,
featuring famous and forgotten faces in science, sport, politics, war and peace, arts and entertainment,
and many other fields. Meet remarkable women in Canadian history, from the adventurous Gudridur the
Viking to murdered Mi'kmaq activist Anna Mae Aquash. This book is full of amazing facts and fascinating
trivia about heroines. Forster published 100 More Canadian Heroines: Famous and Forgotten Faces in
2011 as a follow up. See also the additional resources available at: http://www.heroines.ca.
The All About Series (Nelson, 2003) [ES] Individual ISBNs listed at
http://www.nelson.com/nelson/school/elementary/socialstudies/productinfo/documents/allaboutlist.pdf
See http://www.nelson.com/nelson/school/elementary/socialstudies/productinfo/allabout/default.html.
Watch Canada come alive through this innovative nonfiction series about Canada for young readers. Each
book features high-interest subject matter, predictable text and colorful photographs and maps to
capture the interest of young learners while providing a wealth of relevant information. Topics include
Capital Cities of Canada (14 books); Canadian Geographic Regions (7 books); Canadian Sports (9 books);
Canadian Symbols (13 books); Canadian Attractions (14 books); Provinces and Territories (13 books)
Canadian Animals (13 books); Famous Canadians (14 books); Canadian Communities (9 books) and
Canadian Citizenship (books).
Amazing Stories: Early Voyageurs: The Incredible Adventures of the Fearless Fur Traders by Marie
Savage (Amazing Stories - Altitude Publishing, 2003 ISBN 1-55153-970-5 [ES, MS]
For more than 200 years, voyageur canoes charged across the waters from Quebec to British Columbia,
and north to Hudson Bay. The voyageurs spent many months away from home. Their days were long and
hard. They braved dangerous storms and swirling rapids, and carried their canoes over rough terrain. The
voyageurs were a special brand of tough, rugged adventurers. Please note there are many other titles in
this series about Canada. Learn more at http://www.heritagehouse.ca/display_category.php?cat_id=54.
Big Book of Canada by Christopher Moore (Tundra Books, 2004) ISBN-13: 978-0887764578 [ES, MS]
This gorgeous book is the must-have geography resource for every young reader. Leading the reader
across Canada, province by province, veteran writer Christopher Moore introduces the things that make
this country unique. Each province and territory is explored and defined not only by its physical features,
but also by its history, the people that make up its population, and the industry and culture that
distinguish each region. The book is lavishly illustrated by well-known artist Bill Slavin, and features 150
full color photos.
Blackships/Thanadelthur: Young Heroes of North America by Rick Book (Heartland Associates, 2001)
ISBN-13: 978-1896150123 [ES, MS]
This is a new series about real teens whose lives and actions changed the course of history in North
America. Extensively researched and lavishly illustrated with historically accurate paintings and beautiful
photographs. Accompanied by a running sidebar glossary of unfamiliar words and pronunciations. 2
stories in the first volume. Audio CD version also available. • Blackships: Two brothers, sons of Iroquois leader Donnacona, are taken to France by Cartier in 1534.
• Thanadelthur: In 1715, when her companions are exhausted and afraid to continue, a young Dene
teen strikes out alone across the tundra, determined to make peace between two warring nations.
Page 24
Boldly Canadian: The Story of the RCMP by Joann Hamilton-Barry; illustrated by Frances Clancy (Kids Can
Press, 1999) ISBN-13: 978-1550745207 [ES MS]
They fight crime across the country and around the world. They’re Canada’s Mounties and they’ve been
keeping law and order since 1873. Boldly Canadian takes readers back in history to meet the first
Mounties. Kids will find out how tough it is to become a Mountie as they spend a day with an RCMP
cadet. They’ll learn about police dogs, undercover assignments, the Musical Ride and Emergency
Response Teams. Kids can enter a crime lab to find out how the force fights computer crime. Along the
way, they will meet famous Mounties and read about incredible cases solved with the help of the RCMP.
Building Canada by Bonnie Shemie (Tundra, 2001) ISBN-13: 978-0887765049 [ES MS]
Sitting so close to the United States, and with influences from France, Great Britain, Asia, and Europe,
building styles in Canada are familiar but different, eclectic, and unique. Bonnie Shemie, who studied the
houses of North America’s native peoples, has created a beautiful and informative volume that defines
this country’s history and geography through its buildings.
Canada: A True Book by Elaine Landau (Scholastic Inc., 2000) ISBN-13: 978-0516211701 [ES]
Ideal for today's young investigative reader, each A True Book includes lively sidebars, a glossary and
index, plus a comprehensive "To Find Out More" section listing books, organizations, and Internet sites. A
library staple since the 1950s, the new A True Book series remains popular for elementary school readers.
Canada Invents by Susan Hughes (Maple Tree Press, 2002) ISBN-13: 978-1894379243 [ES, MS]
Canada is a huge country and moving people, information and cargo from place to place has always been
a challenge. Canada Invents highlights the uniquely fascinating ways inventors have found to keep
Canada working from coast to coast. In this well-rounded book readers will also discover how Canadian
inventors have saved lives and improved technology around the world.
th
Canadian Heritage Collection: Primary Documents of 20 Century Canada Series edited by Don
Kendal (Rubicon Press) Set ISBN 13: 978-894915-23-6 [MS, SS] For individual ISBNs see:
http://www.vitalinkcanada.com/pages/heritage.html
This series of 12 books explore 20th Century Canada through primary source documents focused on a
central theme and organized by decade to show the unique flavor of the period — its appearance and
mood, the defining issues and events, and the prominent people who shaped it. A Teacher's Guide is
available for each title, providing commentary and teaching suggestions, activities that ask students to
examine and reflect on issues and make meaningful connections, as well as enhance critical and
innovative thinking. Titles include: Canadian-American Relations; Trade and International Relations;
Labour and Social Reform; Citizenship and Government; The Economy: From Farms to Cyberworld; The
Immigrant Experience; War and Peacekeeping; Nationalism and French Canada; Advertising: Reflections
of Culture and Value; Influential and Intriguing Canadians; The Visual Arts; and Popular Culture.
Countries of the World: Canada by Michael Dahl (Compass Point, 2005) ISBN-13: 978-1560655657 [ES]
Travel to faraway places with the turn of page! Young readers grow in cultural understanding as they
observe similarities and differences of featured countries' landscapes, geography, economics, and
cultures. Teaching social studies through vibrant photographs and fascinating information, this beautiful
collection of books is a must-have for any library or bookshelf. This series explores and supports the
standards "Culture," "People, Places, and Environment," and "Global Connections," as required by the
National Council for the Social Studies.
Discovering Canada Series Robert Livesey (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1990) ISBN-13: 978-0773753419
[ES, MS]
Meet some of the brave men and women who first settled the New World and helped found the colony
of New France - Cartier, Marie La Tour, La Salle and Madeleine de Vercheres. Find out how they worked,
dressed, ate and survived in their adopted land. Read about the King's Daughters, who came over from
Europe on Bride's Ships, and about the powerful seigneurs, who ruled vast domains along the St.
Lawrence River.
Page 25
Emily Carr: An Introduction to Her Life and Art by Anne Newlands (Firefly Books, 1996) ISBN-13: 9781552090459 [SS]
The impressive scope of Carr's art and her unorthodox life are the subjects of art educator Anne
Newlands'' latest book. In a text that skillfully blends selections from Carr's own writings with illustrated
commentary, Newlands creates a delightful look at one of Canada's best-known artists. Emily Carr: An
Introduction to Her Life and Art will lead you to the West Coast, where Carr spent much of her life in a
world of richly drawn First Nations villages and totems, dark, haunting forests, wild beaches and vast
skies. There, you will meet the unconventional woman -- "the little old lady on the edge of nowhere," as
she called herself – who helped define the face of Canadian art.
A First Book of Canadian Art by R. Rhodes (Maple Tree Press, 2001) ISBN-13: 978-1894379212 [ES, MS]
From the earliest art of Canada's native peoples to the latest contemporary artists, this beautifully
written overview introduces young people to major artists and artistic movements that tell the story of
Canadian art. Stunning paintings, photography and sculpture give the book its drama and visual
excitement. The art itself is the jumping-off point for concise and fascinating descriptions of the artists,
their work and important themes about making art in general. Anecdotal stories about the personal
interests and intent of the artists, how they worked and the world they lived in, vividly personalize the
subject for young readers.
In the Footsteps of Explorers Series (Crabtree Publishing Company). [ES, MS]
EG: Henry Hudson: Seeking the Northwest Passage by Carrie Gleason; Samuel de Champlain: From New
France to Cape Cod by Adrianna Morganelli and more at http://www.crabtreebooks.com/products/bysubject/world-and-ancient-history-titles/in-the-footsteps-of-explorers
This biography series combines action and discovery-oriented history to inspire adventurous young
readers. Each colorful book describes what an explorer's life was really like on an expedition, from what
they wore to what they ate. Easy to follow fact and date boxes give quick access to the details. Each book
features colorful maps and images showing the areas explored, sections on the age of exploration, the
political climates of various countries that made explorers venture out into the unknown, real recipes for
foods the explorers ate on their travels, how explorers lived while on the high seas, on the trail, or in the
encampment The book on Henry Hudson, for example, discusses the "Age of Exploration" in North
America by Europeans with Hudson's life as a backdrop. The layout of the book is busy with drawings,
photos, maps, sidebars and a chronology. One chapter, "Life at Sea," includes a recipe for corn bread, a
photo of frostbit fingers and information about scurvy that will undoubtedly appeal to some students.
Kids Can Press Books [ES, MS]
http://kidscanus.nisgroup.com/KidscanpressStageUS/AuthorsIllustrators.aspx
This publisher publishes library-caliber books about Canada for children. All highly recommended.
A wonderful series for elementary libraries are the “Kids Book of…” series shown here.
The Last Great Gold Rush: A Klondike Reader edited by Graham Wilson (Wolf Creek Books, 2002) ISBN13: 978-0968709122 [MS, SS]
This anthology of historical writing records this epic adventure at its gripping best and collectively
provides an honest portrait by famous writers as well as ordinary stampeders. Included are works by
Robert Service, William Ogilvie, Jack London, Tappan Adney, and many others. These unforgettable
stories will be cherished by anyone interested in adventure or the North.
Page 26
Lucy Maud Montgomery by Elizabeth MacLeod (Kids Can Press, 2001) ISBN-13: 978-1550744873 [ES, MS]
Weaving the real events of her life into the fabric of her fiction using photographs, excerpts from
newspapers and actual journal pages, this biography explores Montgomery's struggle and determination
to realize her dreams. This book in the Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History series includes a
concise timeline and a listing of pertinent Web sites.
Meet the Group of Seven by David Wistow and Kelly McKinley/The Art Gallery of Ontario. (Snapshots:
Images of People and Places in History Series - Kids Can Press, 2005) ISBN-13: 978-1550746945 [ES, MS]
Illustrations, photographs and dazzling reproductions of more than 40 masterpieces by the Group of
Seven fill this book about artists who changed the landscape of Canadian art. Meet the Group of Seven
describes how the group formed, how and where they painted, their influence on Canadian art and much
more. This must-have reference book was produced in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Ontario.
The Penguin Book of Canadian Biography for Young Readers: Early Canada by Pat Hancock (Penguin
Group Canada, 2001) ISBN-13: 978-0141305073 [ES, MS]
This terrific collection of concise biographies introduces us to some of Canadian history's most illustrious
and unusual people. These are people who've had lakes, rivers, streets and schools named after them,
statues and monuments erected in their honor, books written and even movies made about their lives.
But who are they and what contribution have they made to Canada? From explorers to native leaders,
from unlikely heroes to visionary peacemakers, from pioneers to politicians, this lively, fascinating volume
looks at forty-one movers and shakers of the "new world."
Wow Canada! Exploring This Land From Coast to Coast to Coast [and other titles] by Vivian Bowers
(Owlkids Books Inc., 2001) ISBN-13: 978-1897349830 [ES, MS]
A car trip across Canada doesn't sound like much fun to 11-year-old Guy, especially with his little sister in
tow -- but even he's won over as the adventure begins. As his family treks from coast to coast, and even
up into the territories, Guy finds that Canada is surprisingly... "interesting." His wry observations offer an
honest, engaging look at Canada's culture, history, natural wonders, and most famous sights. The 3-D
scrapbook-style design, featuring wacky postcards, Guy's cartoons, and incredible photographs,
complements the fast pace and truly original style of this remarkably entertaining guide. Be sure to check
out other Wow Canada! titles, especially ones by Mary Wallace such as Make Your Own Inuksuk.
RECOMMENDED MULTIMEDIA MATERIALS (40)
FILMS/VIDEOS (10)
Note: The asterisked DVDs/videos below* are included in the K-12 STUDY CANADA Resource Valise (teacher loan-kit).
Breaking the Ice: The Story of Mary Ann Shadd* [MS, SS]
A dramatic recreation of the story of Mary Ann Shadd, an abolitionist, suffragette and integrationist. Living in
Windsor, Ontario, she fought for integrated education, battled segregationists and started the first
integrated school in Canada. She later became the first female newspaper editor and the first black female
attorney in North America. Impressive woman!
Canada: A Magnificent Journey Series (Good Earth Productions, 2001 - 3 Program Series – 60 Mins each) [MS,
SS] http://www.goodearthproductions.com/index.php/our-programs/canada-a-magnificent-journey
This series provides a glorious pictorial essay on Canada. The series titles are: 1) New Frontiers; 2) Treasures
of the Land; and 3) Stories of Our Past.
Page 27
Canada: The Undiscovered Land (Good Earth Productions, 1999 - 3 Program Series – 60 Mins each) [MS, SS]
http://www.goodearthproductions.com/index.php/our-programs/canada-the-undiscovered-land
These films showcase all the splendor and wonder of Canada’s great geographical diversity. From
breathtaking scenery, to interesting historical facts, to amazing footage of native wildlife, to profiles of
important, but not necessarily famous Canadians, discover some of what our country has to offer. The series
titles are: 1) Atlantic to the St. Lawrence; 2) Great Lakes to the Prairies; and 3) Rockies to the Far North.
Canoes in a Fog by
Frances Anne Hopkins,
1869. [Glenbow Museum]
The Canadian History Series: 1400 – 1867 (The Fur Trade and The Opening of Canada) and
The Canadian History Series: 1939-2000 (9 half-hour episodes of modern Canadian history) (Epoch
Multimedia Inc. http://canadianhistoryseries.com/?page_id=57 [MS, SS]
The Canadian History Series is an outstanding video chronicle of Canada’s remarkable history. Comprised of
ten half-hour episodes on two DVDs, it is a wonderful primer for students learning about the forces and
events that shaped Canada. Each traces key events and trends that forged a distinct period in Canadian
history and highlight major themes: Canadian-American relations, Canada and the world, Canadian politics,
economic and technological change, French-English relations and social-cultural. Accompanying Teachers’
Guides are available.
The Group of Seven for the Young at Art DVD (McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2007 - 14:45 minutes)
ISBN:978-1-4249-2808-8 [ES, MS, SS]
A young narrator takes you on a journey through the McMichael galleries. Listen to interviews with the late
Dr. Robert McMichael, one of the gallery's founders and Dr. A.J. Casson, the youngest member of the Group
of Seven. Discover the unique style of Canada's famous artists...the magic of color and brushstroke in
depicting their vision of Canada's landscape. An educational DVD produced for children but equally enjoyable
for adults.
Paddle to the Sea* DVD (1966 – 28 Mins) [ES]
Based on Holling C. Holling's book of the same name, Paddle to the Sea is Bill Mason's film adaptation of the
classic tale of an Indian boy who sets out to carve a man and a canoe. Calling the man "Paddle to the Sea,"
he sets his carving down on a frozen stream to await spring’s arrival. The film follows the adventures that
befall the canoe on its long odyssey from Lake Superior to the sea. Shot with remarkable care and beauty,
this film won a bevy of awards and earned an Oscar nomination.
No Image
Available
Path to Freedom - Buxton, Ontario (History Lands: Canada's Heritage Sites Series - Good Earth History, 2000
- 23 Mins - Distributed by McNabb Connolly) [MS, SS]
The history of Buxton, Ontario is tied to the grand vision of one man, and the triumph of the human spirit. It
is a defining symbol of the beginnings of Canada’s identity as a benevolent, democratic nation, the
underground railroad. But Buxton is a also a thriving, modern community that celebrates its rich past. The
Elgin settlement at Buxton, Ontario was established in 1849, by Reverend William King, who brought 15
former slaves to Canada. He developed a model community in which freed and refugee slaves could thrive,
retain their freedom and become productive, independent citizens. Descendants of the original residents
make up the modern community of Buxton, and each year, they welcome hundreds of others to a reunion
that continues to commemorate the settlement’s rich and glorious past.
Postcards from Canada* [ES, MS, SS]
Sweeping in from the frozen vistas of the Arctic to the frenzy of rush-hour traffic, from deep within the
Canadian Shield to the orbiting Radarsat satellite, Postcards from Canada takes us on a whimsical trip
through this magnificent nation. Narrated by the late great television and radio personality Peter Gzowski,
this film shows us the wonder of the wilderness, the impact of Canadians on the land and the ingenuity we
have shown in turning huge obstacles into advantages. It combines aerial photography, Canadian music, and
memorable visual images of Canadian life with interesting factoids that captures students’ interest. Highly
recommended.
Page 28
A Scattering of Seeds: The Creation of Canada (White Pine Pictures, 52 Programs – 30 Mins each) [MS, SS]
http://www.whitepinepictures.com/seeds
This large series of half-hour episodes explores the dreams, daring and determination of Canada's first
immigrants. It is a journey into the hopes and triumphs of those who built a nation, interpreted by Canada's
best independent documentary filmmakers. The series draws on a rich archive of home movies,
photographs, letters home, diaries and oral history. These are personal portraits celebrating the diversity of
the first families who arrived during Canada's formative years of nation-building. From the early French,
Ukrainian and Irish settlers to the more recent Chinese, Japanese and Sikh immigrants, this kaleidoscope of
images and experiences is unparalleled in Canadian filmmaking. By personalizing the stories of immigrants,
the series makes the stranger immediately familiar and the beginnings of this country, a shared experience.
The Sweater* (National Film Board of Canada, 1980 – 10:21 Mins)[ES, MS, SS] www.nfb.ca/film/sweater
Watch this award-winning short film based on Roch Carrier’s short story “The Hockey Sweater” (see URL
above and also the fiction category for information about the short story). In the film, the author charmingly
recounts the most mortifying moment of his childhood in this animated classic. At a time when all his friends
worshipped Maurice "Rocket" Richard and wore his number 9 Montreal Canadians hockey jersey, a boy
mistakenly receives a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey that had been ordered from Eaton's Catalogue (much like
Sears). Unable to convince his mother to send it back, he must face his friends wearing the colors of the
opposing team. This film is an NFB classic that appeals to hockey lovers of all ages. Highly recommended.
The Undefended Border (White Pine Pictures, - 3 Part Series – 60 Mins each) [SS]
http://www.whitepinepictures.com/sales/shop/dvd-the-undefended-border
For issues-oriented senior high school classrooms. Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Immigration and
RCMP officers whose job it is to question, evaluate, detain, incarcerate or admit people into Canada. Shot
over six months in the wake of 9/11, The Undefended Border is a highly dramatic, up-close and intimate
portrait of the men and women who make up Canada’s first internal line of defense.
Part 1: Toughening Up - How do immigration officials filter the good from the bad?
Part 2: Immigration Task Force – This task force was created in 1994 after a Toronto police officer and a cafe
patron were shot to death by illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds.
Part 3: The End of the Line – This part brings into perspective the bureaucratic machinery of the immigration
system and the level of frustration of officers who must enforce policies and tackle conflicting priorities
MUSIC CDs (10)
Note: The music CDs with asterisks* below are included in the K-12 STUDY CANADA Resource Valise (teacher loan-kit).
Canada is for Kids– Vol. 1 & 2* by Michael Mitchell http://www.michael-mitchell.ca
Michael Mitchell, an award-winning singer, songwriter and storyteller, is on a never-ending mission to stir
up some patriotic spirit in the hearts and minds of all Canadians through lively songs and humorous stories
of Canada’s history, geography and some of the wacky quirks that identify Canadians. His CDs are lots of
fun. He is the former co-host of the CTV children’s program Story Time, and has also written and recorded
songs for Sesame Street and PBS. Songsheets can be downloaded freely at http://www.michaelmitchell.ca/~michael-mitchell/pdf/Songsheet.pdf.
Canadian Social History: The Songs and Stories of Canada by Jon Bartlett & Rika Ruebsaat [ES, MS, SS]
Canada’s traditional songs tell stories. Like folklore everywhere, the songs flourish in adversity, whether
natural or cultural. Songs were a way of dealing with the hard times, and the stories they tell are the history
of Canada. The Songs and Stories of Canada is a series of sixteen half-hour audio presentations (in select
and play MP3 format) with about five songs each, drama, stories and sound effects. The presentations are
grouped around occupational themes (logging, mining, fishing, transportation, homesteading), geographic
themes (Quebec, the Atlantic Provinces, the Prairies, BC), historical themes (e.g. the fur trade, settlement,
Page 29
the gold rushes), and musical themes (folk instruments, the transmission of songs). In song-teaching
sections for each presentation, Jon and Rika, the hosts and singers, teach the students directly. Included on
the CD is a 125-page teacher’s guide (in PDF format) with a chapter for each presentation, words and music
for 50 of the 83 songs, background information on the theme of each presentation as well as lesson ideas
and discussion topics. [Note: This instructional method may work well as an alternative teaching method in
multi-level classrooms, for students with special needs, or those auditory learning styles.] Learn more at
http://www3.telus.net/jonbartlett-rikaruebsaat/sas.html .
For the Times* by Schooner Fare http://www.outergreen.com/albums/8909.html
Schooner Fare is a local Maine folk band that plays primarily original maritime, socially-conscious, and
traditional folk music. They play throughout Maine and North America, and their songs are played by radio
stations and satellite radio worldwide. Lyrics to songs on the album can be downloaded from the website
above, including the song “Quebecois”. The album has a strong Maritime feel.
Gord’s Gold* by Gordon Lightfoot
This is a compilation album originally released by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot in 1975.
Originally a vinyl double album, it was reissued on CD in 1987. Despite covering only the first decade of his
career (and lacking his biggest hit single, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", which was recorded the
following year), The inclusion of “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” makes up for it. Gord's Gold has remained the
most commercially popular Lightfoot compilation.
Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers
Stan Rogers was a passionate Canadian partisan and much of his short creative life was taken up with song
cycles that chronicled the East, the Plains, the West and finally the Great Lakes and Ontario. He was always
on the road pursuing his dream of establishing a national identity for Canadian songwriting. This title song
of this album, released in 1981, is one of his best-known songs. Sung a cappella, it features Rogers alone
singing the verses, with several guest vocalists harmonizing with him in the chorus. While it recalls the
history of early explorers who were trying to discover a route across Canada to the Pacific Ocean (especially
Sir John Franklin, who lost his life in the quest), its central theme is a comparison between the journeys of
these past explorers and the singer's own journey to and through the same region. The song is a classic in
Canadian music history. In 2005, CBC Radio One ranked Canada’s all-time favorite songs with "Northwest
Passage" in fourth, behind only Neil Young's "Heart of Gold", Barenaked Ladies' "If I Had $1,000,000" and
Ian and Sylvia's "Four Strong Winds".
Sing a Song of Canada: A Musical Journey Across Canada* by Kim Soleski-Ward (CD and Songbook)
http://www.kimsoleskiward.com [ES]
An elementary school music specialist in Acton, Massachusetts for more than ten years, Kim Soleski-Ward
was born in Bracebridge, Ontario, and attended the University of Western Ontario studying music
education before transferring to the University of Kansas and graduating with a dual degree in music
education and music therapy and a minor in piano performance. She has been a music educator for children
ranging from pre-school to eighth grade ever since. “Sing a Song of Canada” is a wonderful complete
curriculum unit for K-6 students that she developed. It includes: a music CD; reproducible activity pages;
and Orff arrangements. All have been kid-tested by classroom teachers and music specialists in classrooms.
There are 22 original compositions, 5 traditional Canadian folk songs, and the national anthem, “O Canada.”
Several are suitable for other curriculum units such as habitats, First Nations culture, and French language.
A great way to integrate music into regular classrooms and to use the power of music for teaching Canada.
Stompin’ Tom Sings Canada’s History* by Stompin’ Tom Connors (2001)
Charles Thomas "Stompin' Tom" Connors, OC (February 9, 1936 – March 6, 2013) was one of Canada's most
prolific and well-known country and folk singer-songwriters. His musical career focused exclusively on his
native Canada and he is credited with writing more than 300 songs and has released four dozen albums,
with total sales of nearly 4 million copies. His songs have become part of the Canadian cultural landscape.
Three of his best-known songs, “Sudbury Saturday Night”, “Bud the Spud” and “The Hockey Song”, are
played at various games throughout the National Hockey League; the latter is played at every Toronto
Maple Leafs home game With characteristic wit and enthusiasm, he relates some of Canada's finest stories
Page 30
and people on this compilation of historically-minded songs culled from every era of his 40-year career.
This Child* by Susan Aglukark
Susan Aglukark, OC (Inuktitut syllabics: ᓲᓴᓐ ᐊᒡᓘᒃᑲᖅ suusan agluukkaq), born 27 January 1967, is an Inuk
musician whose blend of Inuit folk music traditions with country and pop songwriting has made her a major
recording star in Canada. This Child, released in 1995, became her breakthrough album. The first single from
that album, "O Siem", went to number one on the Canadian adult contemporary and country charts that
year, making Aglukark the first Inuk performer to have a Top 40 hit. "Hina Na Ho (Celebration)" and
"Breakin' Down" became hit singles as well. She now has 7 albums and has won three Juno Awards.
Un Pays Qui Se Chante* by Various Québec Artists
Released in 2002, this CD includes many favorites of la belle province, including the classic “Mon pays” by
Claude Léveillée and “Les gens de mon pays” by Gilles Vigneault. The latter has been called the unofficial
national anthem of Québec. First performed by Vigneault during a concert celebrating Québec’s Fête
nationale, it quickly became a classic and has been played frequently at Fête nationale ceremonies since
then. The song is also associated with the Quebec sovereignty movement and the sovereigntist Parti
Québécois which use it as a sort of anthem. A famous instance of this took place when René Lévesque
spoke after rejection of the 1980 referendum. At the end of his concession speech, the crowd sang "Gens
du pays" which Lévesque called "the most beautiful Québécois song in the minds of all Quebecers."
XX by Great Big Sea http://www.greatbigsea.com
Great Big Sea is best known for performing energetic rock interpretations of traditional Newfoundland folk
songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, Scottish, and Cornish heritage.
The group has a loyal following in North America. You can tell diehard fans by the Nor’Easter rain hats they
wear at concerts…like fans of Jimmy Buffet wear Parrot head caps. To mark their 20th anniversary, the
band personally compiled this two-disc collection capturing many of the highlights from throughout their
career. The first disc focuses on their more pop-oriented material, while the second brings together some of
the band's most loved traditional and folk songs. It also includes six brand new recordings. Get ready to
stomp your feet to the rhythm.
STUDENT LEARNING TOOLS (10)
Note: The learning tools below with asterisks* are included in the K-12 STUDY CANADA Resource Valise (teacher loan-kit).
Canada: Confederation to Present* (University of Alberta – Chinook Multimedia, 2003 – CD-ROM)*
Canada, Confederation to Present offers users an unparalleled opportunity to witness and interact with
Canada's past through carefully selected media from the nation's leading archives. It features thousands of
historical images, including hundreds of specially selected cartoons, dozens of rare panoramic photos, over
20 minutes of sound and film clips of important events, hundreds of static and interactive maps and graphs,
and original primary documents from Canada's leading historians.
Canada Jeopardy! Answers & Questions About Our Country E-Book PDF by Carole Marsh ISBN: 978-0-63508433-0
This quiz book is modeled after the popular TV game show; features categories like Canada history,
geography, exploration, people, national attractions and more. Available via amazon.com.
Canadian Treasures* (VR Didatech – CD-ROM) [ES, MS, SS]
Canadian Treasures will capture your students' imagination (and probably yours, too). Beautifully presented
media from the Canadian National Archives blends seamlessly with a plethora of photos and TV, newsreel
and radio clips. Each province and territory is studied, along with the stories of people vital to the shaping of
the Canadian nation. A section on government helps students develop a "timeline" of important events and
people. Canadian Treasures, from, uses the analogy of a child collecting personal memorabilia to show the
link between a student's personal collecting and national collecting of memorabilia and history.
Page 31
Cards Eh! (Scholastic Canada, ) [ES, MS, SS]
Thirteen provinces and territories with four cards about them equals fifty-two cards in a deck. Let the fun
and learning begin. Students can shuffle their way through Canadian geography, symbols and heritage while
enjoying favorite card games – instructions included. One of the few products sold at the Parliament of
Canada – see http://www.parl.gc.ca/about/parliament/boutique/Products-e.asp?CatId=75 .
Crosscountry Canada*(Ingenuity Works – CD-ROM) [ES, MS, SS]
Upper elementary, middle and high school students play the role of truck drivers on a mission to pick up and
deliver certain commodities. Students practice map reading, logical thinking, and record keeping as they
deliver the products all over Canada. There is also an interactive version for younger elementary students
called Crosscountry Canada Photo Safari (Gr. 1 - 3).
http://www.ingenuityworks.com/catalog/iw_content.php?title=All%20products&dir=menu2&
Do You Know? Canada by Guy Robinson (Sourcebooks, Inc., 2008) ISBN 13: 9781402217395 [ES, MS, SS]
This is one in a series of thirty-three Do You Know? books. This one is a challenging quiz on the culture,
history, geography, and people of the second largest country in the world. Fun for playing as a quiz-bingo
class or to have students quizzing each other.
Explorers Card Game by Victor Kalin, Thomas C. Clarie II, and Adriana Wechsler (U.S. Games Systems Inc.,
1991) ISBN 13: 9781572814493 [ES, MS, SS]
A classic collection of cards about world explorers - perfectly suited as learning tools - easy to play and lots of
fun too! Each deck includes color portraits of 13 honored individuals and highlights their achievements.
Includes instructions. Suitable for most card games. Who doesn’t love playing cards as a learning tool?
Land of the Inuit—An Exploration of the Arctic* (Ingenuity Works – CD-ROM) [ES, MS, SS]
Using this wonderful program, students learn about the Arctic. An Inuit shaman acts as guide while students
read, watch, and listen to tales of early Arctic explorations. Students then test their knowledge of the
content with 12 interactive challenges.
Professor Noggins’ Card Games (Outset Media) [ES, MS] www.professornoggin.com
Professor Noggin’s series of educational games encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite
subjects. Each of the 30 game cards in each box combines trivia, true or false and multiple choice questions. A
special 3-numbered die is included which creates interaction and promotes communication between players.
Easy and hard levels keep kids interested and challenged while, of course, having fun. There are currently 38
card games to choose from including #19 The Geography of Canada (pictured) as well as #20 History of
Canada, and #9 First Peoples of North America.
Totem Poles: Myths, Magic and Monumental Art on the Pacific Northwest Coast* (Ingenuity Works – CDROM) [ES, MS, SS]
The Totem Poles CD-ROM is a great way to engage students in meaningful and largely self-directed learning.
Produced by the Canadian Museum of Civilization to highlight the contributions of the Northwest Coast
people to the history of humankind – an achievement, according to the eminent anthropologist Claude LéviStrauss, that ranks in importance to that of ancient Egypt and China. The CD can be used by teachers to:
• introduce students in an interactive way to stories behind totems, masks and ceremonial regalia;
• help develop a native studies program,
• facilitate inquiry into what constitutes a Civilization,
• encourage comparison with other North American aboriginal societies,
• provide a portal into the magic of myths and myth making as they reflect the guiding mind of a civilization,
• be a resource for individual and group enrichment activities within today’s integrated classrooms.
See Resource Guide at http://ingenuityworks.com/products/totem_poles/manual/tp_resource_guide.pdf.
Page 32
KEY WEBSITES (20)
•
Canada Eh? http://www3.sympatico.ca/taniah/Canada
I don’t usually recommend personal pages but a young woman named Tania offers downloadable Canada graphics and a
variety of information about Canada that can be useful for the classroom. It appears a little over-the-top in visual
patriotism but it is the host’s intention to pay tribute to Canada. The site is advertisement-free.
•
Canadiana http://www.canadiana.ca/en/home
Canadiana.org is a coalition of members dedicated to providing broad access to Canada's documentary heritage. The
collections include: Early Canadiana Online, a full-text collection of published documentary material, including monographs,
government documents, and specialized or mass-market periodicals from the 16th to 20th centuries with areas of strength
in law, literature, religion, education, women’s history and aboriginal history; The Héritage project contains some of
Canada’s most popular archival collections, including roughly 60 million pages of microfilm images chronicling Canada and its
people from the 1600s to the mid-1900s; and the Canadiana Discovery Portal provides FREE access to diverse digital
collections from many of Canada’s libraries, museums and archives. Special topics (e.g.. War of 1812) are featured.
•
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre http://www.bookcentre.ca
The CCBC is a national non-profit organization founded in 1976 dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the
reading, writing, illustrating, and publishing of Canadian books for young readers. Our programs, publications, and resources
help teachers, librarians, booksellers and parents select the very best for young readers.
•
Canadian Educators and Education Resources (Dr. J.L. Bencze – University of Toronto/Ontario Institute for Studies in
Education (OISE)) http://webspace.oise.utoronto.ca/~benczela/Educational_Resources.html
John Lawrence Bencze, Associate Professor of Science Education at the University of Toronto, has created this website to
provide teachers with everything-you-wanted-to-know about the theory and practice of education in Canada. In particular,
visit the “Education” section to connect with curriculum ideas and materials, including guidelines, sanctioned by Ministries
of Education across Canada. Also explore the comprehensive list of educational resource sites. Though not visually
“polished”, the site is as an outstanding gateway for all interested in learning more about what is taught across Canada, how
it is taught, and which resources are used.
•
The Canadian Social Studies Super Site http://www.ualberta.ca/~jkirman
Carefully screened connections to quality websites about Canada are offered that also give a glimpse into how Canadians
teach about themselves.
•
The Canadian Encyclopedia http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca
The Canadian Encyclopedia was released initially in print in 1985 but released freely online in 2001 as
Canada’s national encyclopedia. It is bilingually produced by, for, and about Canadians, charting
Canada’s events, culture, history and landscape. Today, the number of articles in the Encyclopedia –
more than 35,000 in English and French – is roughly four times the original total and growing (about 60
articles are revised or created every month). It contains more than 30,000 multimedia items including
images, maps, games, audio and video. There are new curated content exhibits, interactive timelines,
and a learning center that contains classroom resources, quizzes and themed study guides. The list of
4,400-plus contributors includes David Suzuki, Margaret Atwood, and the late Pierre Berton.
•
Canadian Home Education Resources (CHER) http://www.canadianhomeeducation.com
Designed to make life easier for ordering books for home-schooling parents, this website provides American
teachers/librarians an easy way to explore and order books by Canadian authors/publishers/subject, etc. Books bundled
with curricula are also available.
•
The Canadian Review of Materials – CM Magazine http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm
This online publication is hosted at the University of Manitoba, produced by volunteers, and targeted to
educators/librarians. It is published weekly from September through June and features reviews of books and other materials
that are authored, illustrated and/or published by Canadians and that are produced for/of interest to children and
Page 33
adolescents. CM's reviewers are teachers, teacher-librarians, public librarians and university professors who have an interest
and expertise in materials for juveniles. It is easy to search the CM Archive for past reviews.
•
CanTeach Elementary Resources http://www.canteach.ca/elementary
Novel and book activities, Social Studies activities, and First Nations links for teachers are some of the resources available.
•
The Economist Intelligence Unit – Canada [MS, SS] http://country.eiu.com/canada
Through reports from its “Intelligence Unit”, The Economist Magazine, provides excellent backgrounders for students about
countries around the world without having to subscribe to their global forecasting services (intended for businesses).
•
First Nations Across North America Map www.firstnationsseeker.ca
A map of the North American Indigenous People with links to websites.
•
The First Ones [MS, SS] www.nps.gov/sajh/historyculture/the-first-ones.htm
This is the National Park Service’s official page of information on the Coast Salish.
•
Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History http://canadianmysteries.ca/en/index.php
Students will be drawn into Canadian history and archival research through the enticement of solving real "cold crimes"!
Fabulous pedagogy lies behind the online material and teacher resources. You'll quickly see why it has won several
education and website awards.
•
Historica Canada https://www.historicacanada.ca
This is the largest independent organization devoted to enhancing awareness of Canadian history and citizenship. Of
particular interest is access Heritage Minutes, a collection of more than 70 dramatized video vignettes that recreate events
of great importance, accomplishment and bravery in our country’s history. It is worth book-marking
https://www.historicacanada.ca/content/videos on your computer! The Canadian Encyclopedia, a free online resource,
offers the largest collection of authored, accurate and continuously updated articles focused on Canada and Canadiana.
Commemorative programs tied to specific periods of history, such as the War of 1812 or the First World War, are also
featured on the website. The “Education” section was noted earlier for its curricula.
•
K-12 STUDY CANADA Resource Links http://www.k12studycanada.org/links_resource_links.html
An easily navigated portal with connections to other websites for exploring many topics about Canada.
•
Parks Canada http://www.pc.gc.ca
This site offers brief QuickTime videos to promote tourism and information about national parks throughout Canada.
•
PBS' Online Extra Teacher Resources http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lesson-plan
A great resource for teachers of all subjects. When "Canada" is typed in its search field, 4521 matches are made. An
advanced search drew 3084 just for Quebec. Further sorting would be helpful to separate news from lesson plans…
•
The Prime Minister of Canada (currently Stephen Harper) webpages include access to interactive games and activities for
young students: visit http://pm.gc.ca/eng/interactive-zone
•
Statistics Canada Explore many lesson plans and data for K-12 and post-secondary students and educators.
http://www.statcan.gc.ca
•
Unofficial Canadiana http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/clamen/misc/Canadiana/Travelogue.html
This page offers links to anything related to travel and tourism in Canada. Though not graphically pretty, the site is useful.
Page 34

- K

Transcription

Similar documents

COMRADERY FROM COAST-TO

Druze panel Sep 29 REGISTER

Econiche House

List of Canadian bi#161AC38

INTRODUCTION During the Second World War, the role of women

Canada`s Landform Regions

Sample Pages/Table of Contents

NISSAN UKE! JUKE! - Canadian Direct Insurance

direct to you! - Canadian Direct Insurance

Military Service Recognition Book