Links

What in the World? Level 2 Issue 7

Alberta Puts Canada To The Test

Before Reading (p. 4)

Have students watch this brief summary of the question of Alberta separatism:

Questions for online exploration (p. 10)

1. Review the current mood in Alberta as the May 3 deadline for signatures in support of separatism approaches:

2. Learn more about the questions and concerns of stakeholders who will be impacted by this issue:

Albertans:

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith:

King Charles:

First Nations in Alberta: 

Francophone Albertans: 

Canadians:

Prime Minister Carney: 

3. Learn more about the Alberta Prosperity Project, the grassroots organization promoting separatism:

4. Learn more about the United States' interest in Alberta separatism:

5. Learn about the process necessary for Alberta to separate from Canada:

An Expanding War In The Middle East

Questions for online exploration (p. 22) 

1. Learn more about why the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran:

2. Learn why this war escalated from diplomatic talks to attacks:

3. Learn about how the war spread so quickly in the region:

4. Learn more about Iran’s proxies in the Middle East and how they may figure in this conflict:

5. Explore how this conflict is impacting the world’s oil supply:

6. Learn more about the Iran nuclear deal of 2015:

7. Learn how the 1979 hostage crisis impacted Iran-U.S. relations:

8. Learn how the 'Canadian Caper' facilitated the escape of six American diplomats from Iran in 1979:

Graph (p. 23)

Complete the table to show oil reserves and the amount of oil produced daily by the top regional oil-producing countries. Use the following links to help:

Backgrounder: Iran

Questions for online exploration (p. 37)

1. Learn more about the history, geography, and culture of Iran:

2. Explore statistical data about the country of Iran and its population:

3. Learn more about Iran's political system:

4. Learn more about Iran’s proxies in the Middle East and how they figure in conflicts across the Middle East:

5. Compare Iran's oil reserves with the rest of the world:

6. Learn more about the events behind the conflict between Iran and the United States:

Backgrounder: Israel

Questions for online exploration (p. 40)

1. Learn more about the history of Palestine and Israel and the creation of the Jewish state:

2. Learn more about Israel’s geography and its relative location to its neighbours:

3. Explore statistical data about the country of Israel and its population:

4. Learn more about why Israel is one of the most developed countries in the region and the #3 tech-leader in the world:

5. Explore five key facts about the close alliance between Israel and the United States:

A World Fueled By Oil

Before Reading (p. 41)

Show the class either or both of the following links so that they can add to their list.

Questions for online exploration (p. 46)

1. Watch this animation of the modern history of oil across the world:

2. Learn about how oil and gas are formed and how drilling companies use seismic surveys to determine where to drill:

3. Learn more about different techniques used to extract oil:

Drilling on land:

Fracking:

Oil sands:

Offshore drilling: 

4. Learn how crude oil is formed, transported, and refined:

Formed: 

Refined: 

Transported: 

5. Find out where most of the world's oil reserves are located:

6. Learn more about the importance of the Strait of Hormuz to global oil transport:

Resource Page for Students

Inquiry Project (p. 49)

Check out these short videos to learn how to check the credibility and reliability of websites:
How to evaluate sources for reliability: 

How to check if a website is credible: 

Helpful Teacher Resources on Inquiry-based Learning (p. 53)

Check out Trevor MacKenzie’s website with links to podcasts, blogs, social media links, and other resources on Inquiry‑based learning: 

His book, Dive into Inquiry: Amplify Learning and Empower Student Voice, offers a scaffolded approach to student inquiry: structured, controlled, guided, and free inquiry. It is a practical resource if inquiry-based learning is new to you.

John Spenser is another educator whose videos, blogs, and resources offer practical strategies and structures for engaging students in inquiry. Here are two to get you started:

“Helping Students Ask Better Questions by Creating a Culture of Inquiry”

“Using a Wonder Week to Spark Inquiry-based Learning”

Edutopia has a number of articles on student inquiry, including:

“What the heck is Inquiry-based Learning?”

“Resources and Downloads to Facilitate Inquiry-based Learning”

The Canadian Reader Issue 6

A Trip Around the Moon

Internet Connections (p.p 11-12 )

1. Read more about this news story:

2. Discover more about Jeremy Hansen’s mission patch:

3. Find out what inspired Jeremy Hansen’s participation in the Artemis II mission:

4. Meet the astronauts who will fly around the Moon:

5. Learn how the Artemis II crew will live in space:

6. Curious to know more about Canada’s role in this mission? Read on:

Teacher’s Corner (p. 12)

1. Pre-reading images:

2. Hometown hero tributes:

A Better Life for Marineland’s Belugas

Internet Connections ( p. 21 )

1. Read more about this news story:

2. Watch these news videos:

3. Find out more about beluga whales:

4. Learn more about the Whale Sanctuary Project in NS:

5. Discover more about whales and dolphins in captivity:

Teacher's Corner ( p. 21 )

Beluga images:

Canada at the 2026 Olympics

Internet Connections (p. 30)

1. Read more about this news story:

2. Visit Team Canada’s website:

Teacher's Corner (p. 30)

1. How to craft a great headline:

2. The Milano Cortina 2026 Medals:

What in the World? Level 2 Issue 3

Labour Dispute at Canada Post

Questions for online exploration (p. 9)

1. Read more about the Canada Post strike:

2. Learn about the changes that the government has proposed to Canada Post:

3. Prime Minister Carney has stated that Canada needs a viable postal service. Learn why Canada Post is an important essential service:

4. Watch this interview with the head of Canada Post, the head of CUPW, the mayor of a rural town, and a small-business owner all affected by the strike: 

5. Learn why some experts suggest that Canada Post should be privatized or shut down completely:

6. Explore the conditions that sparked the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919:

Canadian Pianists Shine at a Chopin ‘Olympics’

Before Reading (p. 12)

Tell students: “You are about to meet Kevin Chen. Kevin is from Calgary, he’s 20 years old, and he just won the silver medal in an international piano competition in Poland. He’s practiced six to eight hours a day for years to get to this level. He was one of 11 finalists in a field of 642 hopefuls. This video shows excerpts of the three pieces he played in the final round. Enjoy.”

Questions for online exploration (p. 17) 

1. Read about Kevin Chen’s silver medal win and enjoy excerpts from his performance in the finals:

2. Read about Eric Lu’s gold medal win and enjoy excerpts from his performance in the finals:

3. Visit the official site of the Chopin Competition to learn about its history and meet the 2025 participants in this prestigious contest:

4. Visit the official site of the Royal Conservatory of Music: 

5. Learn more about Poland’s most famous piano composer, Fryderyk Chopin:

Gold Rush 2.0

Before Reading (p. 19)

Have students watch this report on why gold is in the news these days: 

Questions for online exploration (p. 24)

1. Learn more about why the price of gold is so high:

2. Explore the factors that influence the price of gold:

3. What makes gold precious?

4. Learn more about the gold standard and how it works:

5. Learn more about gold mining in Canada:

6. Gold is a versatile metal. Learn how it can be used:

7. Learn more about the Klondike Gold Rush:

Graphic (p. 27)

Complete the table below to show gold prices since 2005 ($US). Use the last space to list the current price of one ounce of gold in U.S. currency. The following link may help:

A Battle Over Belugas

Before Reading (p. 29)

Share with students that the park is officially closed but that the fate of 30 beluga whales still at the park is in jeopardy. Have students view this summary of the current situation:

Questions for online exploration (p. 34)

1. Find out more about the beluga whales currently living at Marineland:

2. Learn why it is challenging to find a new home for the belugas:

3. Read about the PAWS act and how it is designed to protect animal welfare in Ontario: 

4. Visit the sites of a number of animal rights groups that are speaking out about the situation at Marineland:

Humane World for Animals  

World Animal Protection Canada 

Marine Mammal Research Unit 

5. Check out this fact sheet about beluga whales:

6. Explore how beluga whales use echolocation:

The Steps of an Inquiry Project (p. 39)

Check out these short videos to learn how to check the credibility and reliability of websites:

How to evaluate sources for reliability: 

How to check if a website is credible:

Helpful Teacher Resources on Inquiry-based Learning (p. 42)

1. Check out Trevor MacKenzie’s website with links to podcasts, blogs, social media links, and other resources on Inquiry‑based learning: 

2. John Spenser is another educator whose videos, blogs, and resources offer practical strategies and structures for engaging students in inquiry. Here are two to get you started:

“Helping Students Ask Better Questions by Creating a Culture of Inquiry” 

“Using a Wonder Week to Spark Inquiry-based Learning”

3. Edutopia has a number of articles on student inquiry, including:

“What the heck is Inquiry-based Learning?”

“Resources and Downloads to Facilitate Inquiry-based Learning”