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:

5. Review the history 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)

Next, project this link:

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:

2. Find out more about the global reaction to this 28-point plan:

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:

3. Learn about some of the controversy at COP30:

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:

6. Learn more about the country of Brazil:

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”