What in the World? Level 2 Issue 1

Summer McIntosh’s Summer of Gold 

Before reading (p.4)

Have students watch this 4-minute summary of Summer McIntosh's recent achievements at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore:

Questions for online exploration (p. 9)

1. Learn how Summer McIntosh's summer of gold began with an outstanding showing at the Canadian trials in June:

2. Watch these interviews with Summer McIntosh's coach Fred Vergnoux and with Ms. McIntosh following the Canadian trials:

3. Watch all of the highlights of Summer McIntosh's five-medal haul at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore:

Gold #1 400-metre freestyle

Gold #2 200-metre individual medley

Gold #3 200-metre butterfly

Gold #4 400-metre individual medley

Bronze 800-metre freestyle

4. Learn more about super suits:

A Dry Summer for Canada's Breadbasket

Before reading (p.12)

Have students watch this video that explains what drought is: 

Questions for online exploration (p. 17) 

1. Learn more about the drought conditions in each of the Prairie Provinces and how each province has dealt with them:

a) Manitoba

b) Saskatchewan

c) Alberta

2. Check out these interactive maps from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada that show monthly drought comparisons, a drought change map, and an animation of drought across Canada over the last 20 years:

3. Learn how drought has impacted other parts of the country:

4. The Canada Water Agency was established to promote freshwater stewardship in Canada. Check out the agency's website:

5. Find out more about fire prevention methods like controlled burns that may reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires:

Infographic (p. 18)

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-production/weather/canadian-drought-monitor/current-drought-conditions

A Trade Dispute Between Neighbours 

Questions for online exploration (p.28)

1. What are tariffs and why has President Trump increased tariffs on Canadian products imported by the U.S. again?

2. President Trump declared April 2, 2025 'Liberation Day ' and announced a number of global tariffs on products that the U.S. imports from other countries. Learn what these tariffs meant for Canada and how Canada responded to the U.S.:

3. Check out this infographic from the University of Western Ontario's school of business that explores U.S.-Canada trade and investment: 

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

5. How did President Trump's new tariff announcement on August 1 affect free trade between the U.S. and Canada?

6. Explore this summary of all new trade and tariff developments between the U.S. and Canada since Trump took office:

7. Watch this news story from an American reporter that came to Canada to examine the impact of a number of Canadian businesses boycotting U.S. products: 

Ticked Off: Lyme Disease is on the Rise

Before reading (p.33)

Have them watch this video and encourage them to jot down 1 or 2 questions that they have about the information presented: 

Questions for online exploration (p.38)

1. Find out more about the symptoms of Lyme disease and hear from a young man and his personal experience:

2. Listen to an infectious disease expert about how to deal with ticks and Lyme disease:

3. The tick population is moving further north into southern regions of Canada. Find out where they are and why: 

4. Explore how the Public Health Agency of Canada is monitoring Lyme disease across Canada:

5. Check out this infographic summary of Lyme disease in Canada:

6. Learn more about the possibility of a human vaccine against Lyme disease:

7. A number of celebrities have suffered from Lyme disease. Read more about their experience:

Graph instructions (p. 39)

Complete the table to show Lyme disease cases in Canada since 2009. The following link may help:

The Steps of an Inquiry Project (p. 42)

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. 45)

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”