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What in the World? Level 2 Issue 6

Retooling Canada’s Auto Industry

Before Reading (p. 4)

Have students watch this summary and ask them to identify two questions they have about this new program:

Questions for online exploration (p. 9)

1. Watch as Prime Minister Carney explains the strategy to transform Canada’s auto industry:

2. Explore the Government of Canada site to learn about incentives, eligible vehicles, and answers to common questions about the Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP):

3. Learn more about the Canada-China agreement to allow more Chinese EVs to be sold in Canada:

4. Find out why some critics suggest that there may be cybersecurity concerns around Chinese EVs:

5. Compare the features of electric and hybrid vehicles:

Table (p. 10)

Complete the table below to show the number of vehicles produced in Canada in recent years. Use the following link to help you: 

Protests Against ICE Enforcement

Questions for online exploration (p. 22) 

1. Learn more about the anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis and across the United States:

2. Meet the two Minneapolis citizens who were shot and killed by ICE agents:

Renee Good: 

Alex Pretti: 

3. Learn more about the roles of ICE, U.S. Border Security, and the Department of Homeland Security: 

4. Learn more about President Trump’s changes to U.S. immigration policies:

5. Discover what President Trump’s policies mean for migrants:

6. Explore this animated map of immigration to the U.S.:

7. Learn more about Ellis Island and what immigrants experienced there when they arrived in the United States:

Artemis II Shoots for the Moon

Before Reading (p. 28)

Have students view the Artemis II mission overview video from NASA:

Questions for online exploration (p. 33)

1. Learn more about the Artemis II Mission:

2. Meet the crew of astronauts travelling on Artemis II:

3. Watch this interview with Jeremy Hansen, the first Canadian ever assigned to a crewed Moon mission:

4. Check out ten facts about the Artemis II mission from Jeremy Hansen:

5. Learn more about the Canadian connections to Artemis II:

6. Learn more about why the Artemis II mission has been delayed:

7. Learn more about the Moon's phases and its relationship with Earth:

The Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods

Questions for online exploration (p. 44)

1. Learn more about ultra-processed foods and how they have become so prevalent in our diets:

2. Learn more about the NOVA Food Classification Scale:

3. Many ultra-processed foods have addictive qualities which make them hard to resist:

4. Learn about the harmful effects that ultra-processed foods can have on our health:

5. The Government of Canada explains the benefits of limiting highly processed foods in our diet:

6. Explore these tips for cutting back on your consumption of ultra-processed foods:

Infographic (p. 46)

The Steps of an Inquiry Project (p. 50)

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”

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”