Links

What in the World? Level 2 Issue 4

Canada Loses its Measles-Free Status

Questions for online exploration (p. 9)

1. Find out more about the loss of Canada's measles-free status:

2. Review a timeline of events in November that led to this change in status:

3. Read the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) report on the current status of measles in the Americas:

4. Learn more about the symptoms and health risks of measles:

6. Learn more about the measles vaccine and how misinformation has led to vaccine hesitancy:

Infographic (p. 11)

Liberal Budget Squeaks Through

Before Reading (p. 14)

Have students view this summary of the 2025 federal budget takeaways:

Questions for online exploration (p. 19) 

1. Explore the official site of the Canada Strong Budget 2025:

2. Watch Finance Minister Champagne present the budget to Parliament:

3. Hear from opposition leaders who are critical of the Liberal government’s spending plan:

4. Read about the six takeaways from Canada's 2025 federal budget from the perspective of British news media (BBC): 

5. Watch these animated videos that explain how Canada’s budget works:

The government of Canada’s budget:

The government of Canada’s expenditures:

The government of Canada’s revenues:

How does the federal government’s budget impact you?:

6. Check out this infographic on the 2025 federal budget:

Infographic (p. 22)

1. Complete the table below to show the federal surplus or deficit since 2005-2006. The following links may help:

2. What is the current national debt? see: 

Peace Hopes in Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Before Reading (p. 26)

Questions for online exploration (p. 31)

1. Review the details of the original 28-point peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war as drafted by the United States:

3. Review the European counter-proposal to the original 28-point peace plan and how it has been received by President Zelensky and President Putin:

4. Learn how drones are transforming the age of warfare:

5. Visit the NATO site to learn more about its role and how it supports its members:

A Brief HIstory of Russia

Questions for online exploration (p. 39)

Explore the following links about Russia, its statistics, and its geography:

2. Learn more about these key historic events in the history of Russia:

a) October Revolution

b) Cold War

3. Learn more about these leaders who had a significant impact on the history of Russia:

a) Vladimir Lenin

b) Josef Stalin

c) Mikhail Gorbachev

d) Vladimir Putin

4. Read more about the various political systems described in the article:

a) Communism: 

b) Capitalism: 

c) Socialism: 

d) How are socialism and communism different? 

Brazil’s Controversial Quest for OilLabour

Before Reading (p. 42)

Ask students to view this report on Brazil’s plans to drill oil at the mouth of the Amazon River, and the potential damage to the environment, local Indigenous communities, and their traditional economy:

Questions for online exploration (p. 49)

1. Visit the official site of COP30 in Belém, Brazil:

2. Read the “State of the Climate Update for COP30” from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and watch a brief video of the key points:

4. Learn more about the Great Amazon Reef System and the Equatorial Margin:

5. Check out these maps that show the location of worldwide stores of oil and gas:

The Steps of an Inquiry Project (p. 52)

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. 55)

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”