Links

The Canadian Reader Issue 2

Beneath the Surface

Internet Connections (p. 12)

1. Read more about the importance of BMIs:

2. Learn more about the health of Canada’s rivers:

3. View these field guides of common BMIs:

4. See how an organization in California is surveying BMIs:

Teacher’s Corner (p. 12)

Pre-reading images: 

Sharing Witness

Internet Connections ( p. 20 )

1. Learn more about this news story:

2. Visit Carey Newman’s website:

Teacher's Corner ( p. 20 )

1. Witness Blanket Teacher’s Guide [Overview]: 

2. Reflection Wall Lesson Plan: 

3. Reflection Wall shapes:

4. Building Empathy Lesson Plan: 

Six Months in Space

Internet Connections (p. 30)

1. Learn more about this news story:

2. Meet the SpaceX Crew 13 and follow their mission:

3. Read about Mr. Kutryk’s life journey:

Explore the SpaceX Crew 13 mission insignia:

Teacher’s Corner (p. 30)

Images of Joshua Kutyrk:

What in the World? Level 2 Issue 2

Alberta Puts Canada to the Test

Before Reading (p. 4)

Have students watch either or both of these brief summaries of the question of Alberta separatism:

Questions for online exploration (p. 9)

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

2. Learn about a new report that predicts the cost for Alberta to separate from Canada:

What are your impressions of the data in this report?

3. Listen to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith explain why the referendum question related to separation has been reworded and her own position on Alberta separation:

4. Learn how the referendum question is impacting Albertans:

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

Alberta separatists

Alberta federalists

Alberta First Nations

Prime Minister Carney

A Trade Dispute Between Neighbours

Questions for online exploration (p. 19) 

1. Learn more about the breakdown in trade negotiations between Canada and the United States:

2. Listen to Prime Minister Carney explain why Canada walked away from trade negotiations with the United States:

3. Learn how Canada reacted to new and higher tariffs on Canadian products exported to the U.S. :

4. Learn more about the impact of these tariffs on Canadian businesses:

5. Explore how this trade war may impact the future relationship between Canada and the United States:

6. Learn more about the Canadian products that the U.S. has banned in this latest retaliatory move:

7. Learn about the details of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) signed in 2020:

8. Learn how a strengthened alliance with the European Union might impact Canada.

A Civil War in Yemen Heats Up

Questions for online exploration (p. 28)

1. Learn more about the escalating civil war in Yemen and how it impacts other countries in the region:

2. Learn more about the Houthis and their influence in the region:

3. Learn how the recent actions taken by the Houthis could disrupt global trade:

4. Learn how this conflict fuels more displacement of refugees in Yemen:

5. Learn more about the country of Yemen: 

Table (p. 34)

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:

Heads Up on Brain Health

Before Reading (p. 36)

Project the bar graph found in the middle of the webpage below from CHIRPP (Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program). Using the second drop down menu, select the age range for your students. Highlight the fact that the data for males and females are different. Explore both graphs and compare the data with student predictions.

Questions for online exploration (p. 41)

1. Learn more about the e-scooter laws that exist in different Canadian provinces:

2. Learn more about the rise in e-scooter collisions:

3. Hear from medical experts about the effects of a concussion:

4. Check out these infographics and a handbook that inform us how to manage concussions: 

5. Learn more about Rowan’s Law, legislation introduced in the province of Ontario in 2019, following the death of an Ottawa high school rugby player who suffered a concussion:

Infographic (p. 42)

Resource Page for Students

Inquiry Project (p. 48)

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: 

Inquiry Project

Helpful Teacher Resources on Inquiry-based Learning (p. 51)

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”