Originally published in TEACH Magazine, January/February 2017 Issue
Classrooms are buzzing with the ringing in of a new year. This year, 2017, is especially notable here in Canada because it’s our 150th anniversary! Celebrations and events will be taking place all over the country all year long. Here are some suggestions for events and excursions to get students thinking about what Canada means to them.
150 & Me
The 150 & Me challenge is giving students between the ages of 14 and 19 who have a passion for Canada a great opportunity. For Canada’s 150th birthday, students can have their say by forecasting the next 150 years. By entering the challenge, they qualify for the chance to travel across the country with all expenses paid. On this trip they may meet other young Canadians, participate in one of four regional forums across the country, and travel to Ottawa to present to business and government leaders as part of a national forum. This takes place during the Canada Day celebrations in 2017. The judging process for submissions occurs in February 2017.
Canadiana Musical Theatre
The Canadiana Musical Theatre has performed over 3,000 performances across Western Canada. Performances touch on rich Canadian stories filled with great dialogue and music. For Canada’s 150th anniversary, the Canadiana Musical Theatre is offering “Amazing Stories of Canada” as an in-school performance.
My Parks Pass Contest
For Canada’s 150th anniversary, and the 100th anniversary of historical Canadian sites, My Parks Pass is giving away a five-day, all-expenses paid school trip to Parks Canada destinations in Nova Scotia, including a visit to Canada’s first national historic site, Fort Anne. One Grade 8 and one secondary 2 class will be the lucky winners of this June excursion. To sign up, register at myparkspass.ca, and submit a one-minute video by February 27, 2017. The video entry should describe which Parks Canada site you’d like to visit to celebrate Canada’s birthday and why.
National Flag Day
February 15 is National Flag of Canada Day. Celebrate this important national symbol as a class by commemorating the unity, peace, freedom, respect, compassion, and diversity that our flag inspires. Start a class discussion on what Canada means to each student. Produce a video where students sing “O Canada,” and wish a happy birthday to the Canadian flag. Or create artwork inspired by the birthday of the Canadian flag. Classes can then submit their songs and artwork to flagofcanada.ca. Classes may also take part in the “Share your Moment with the Flag Challenge” by posting to social media with the hashtags #CanadianFlag and #Canada150.
Skype Virtual Field Trips
Explore Canada’s historic sites right from your classroom! Beginning in January 2017, join Microsoft Canada in celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary through a series of activities for Canadian classrooms from K–12. Skype virtual field trips allow students to visit national heritage sites such as the Toronto Zoo, the Carleton Martello Tower, and St. Andrews Blockhouse National Historic Site. Through Skype, students may engage with a tour guide in real-time. Canada 150 themed lesson plan templates are also provided.
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