Links

What in the World? Level 2 Issue 5

Battered By The Sea

Before Reading (p. 4)

Once students have recorded their questions, have them view this short video of the incident:

Questions for online exploration (p. 9)

1. Watch this summary of the efforts to stabilize and clean up the MSC Baltic III:

2. Watch this update from November 2025 that talks about how the extreme Atlantic weather is impacting recovery efforts:

3. Check out the full timeline of rescue operations by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard:

4. Visit the official site of the Canadian Coast Guard:

5. Watch the dramatic rescue of the crew of the MSC Baltic III:

6. Learn how container ships are loaded:

7. Check out this infographic showing how the federal government protects Canadian waters from oil spills:

8. Learn more about Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan:

Infographic (p. 12)

A Surprise Raid Ousts Venezuela's Leader

Before Reading (p. 15)

Questions for online exploration (p. 20) 

1. Watch this summary entitled “Did the U.S. really just kidnap Venezuela’s president?”

2. Learn more about the reaction of Canada and the international community to the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States: 

3. Check out these infographics related to Mr. Maduro’s leadership and Venezuela’s oil industry:

Maduro’s Venezuela (2020)

Understanding the U.S. Intervention in Venezuela: The 3 Core Drivers

Venezuela Sits on a Fifth of the World's Oil

4. Listen to Prime Minister Carney’s reaction to the removal of Mr. Maduro:

5. Review the details of Operation Absolute Resolve and the recent history of Venezuela leading to Mr. Maduro’s capture:

6. Learn more about the country of Venezuela:

Infographic (p. 23)

Global proven crude oil reserves total

Let The Winter Games Begin!

Before Reading (p. 27)

1. You may wish to do a mini-lesson on roman numerals to help students decode which Winter Olympics these are. This link may be helpful: 

2. Have students watch the following video to verify their lists:

Questions for online exploration (p. 32)

1. Learn about the Canadian athletes competing at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games:

2. Visit the official site of the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games:

3. Explore the Olympic schedule at this link:

4. Given the scope of some of the Winter Olympic sports, various sites are needed to accommodate them all. Find details of the different venues for the XXV Olympic Winter Games at this link:

5. Learn more about Tina and Milo, the official mascots of the Milano-Cortina Games:

6. Explore the newest Winter Olympic discipline of ski-mountaineering:

7. Check out this summary of 26 iconic moments in Olympic Winter Games history:

8. Visit the site of Own the Podium to learn how this organization supports Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes:

Graphic (p. 37)

Complete the table below to show the number of medals Canadian athletes won at the last 12 Winter Olympics. Use the following link to help you:

The Winter Of ‘25-’26 Is Packing A Wallop!

Questions for online exploration (p. 44)

1. Learn how winter weather has impacted the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba:

2. Meet some of the evacuees and hear how they are coping with the situation. 

3. Learn who has been sent in to repair damage and support the local community:

4. Find out more about how Pimicikamak residents also dealt with wildfires in 2025:

5. Learn how the polar vortex was disrupted:

6. Explore how El Niña has contributed to this disruption:

7. Learn about the effects that Arctic amplification has had on the Arctic:

8. Check out Environment and Climate Change Canada’s new weather warning system:

Infographic (p. 45)

The Steps of an 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. 52)

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”

The Canadian Reader Issue 4

The Doctor Will See You… Outside

Internet Connections (p. 13 )

1. Learn more about this news story:

2. Visit the PaRx website:

3. Explore places to visit and activities to try in Canada’s national parks:

4. Find out the benefits of adding more nature to your life:

5. Discover Indigenous teachings on land:

6. Teacher’s Corner:

Examples of doctor prescription pads:

A Fossil Finds a Home

Internet Connections ( p.p. 20-21 )

1. Find out more about this news story:

2. Learn about the history of the Tumbler Ridge Museum (inspired by the discovery of dinosaur tracks by 2 boys in 2000): 

3. Watch these videos to learn more about fossils:

4. Curious to learn about the age of Earth? Explore these geologic timelines:

5. Teacher’s Corner:

Map of Kiskatinaw River in relation to Tumbler Ridge: 

What is The Geologic Time Scale? 

Video: 

Infographic:

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald 

Internet Connections ( p.p. 30-31 )

1. Learn more about this news story:

2. Watch a video on the history of the ship:

3. Look at photos of the ship:

4. This documentary explores the story of the ship, the song, and their legacy:

5. Teacher’s Corner:

Listen to Gordon Lightfoot sing The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald:

Download the lyrics: 

Or watch a third option that combines the song with the lyrics: 

Detailed interview with Gordon Lightfoot. Fast forward to [13:15-15:00] to hear him talk about writing the song and play excerpts from it: 

Examples of Memorial Plaques: 

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”