History Curriculum and Strands
"Why study history? The answer is because we virtually must, to gain access to the laboratory of human experience. When we study it reasonably well, and so acquire some usable habits of mind, as well as some basic data about the forces that affect our own lives, we emerge with relevant skills and an enhanced capacity for informed citizenship, critical thinking, and simple awareness."
- Peter N. Stearns
The Grades 7 and 8 history program provides students with an overview of Canadian history, enabling students to appreciate Canadian heritage and identity, the complexity of Canadian society, and the challenges and responsibilities associated with Canada's position in the world, preparing them to fulfill their role as informed and responsible global citizens.
The Ontario Grades 7-8 History Curriculum consists of two chronological strands on the following topics: Grade 7 A. New France and British North America, 1713–1800 - exploring the experiences of and challenges facing different groups, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities from the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 to the start of the nineteenth century B. Canada, 1800–1850: Conflict and Challenges - identifying significant peoples and factors contributing to some key events and/or trends that occurred in and/or affected Canada between 1800 and 1850 Grade 8 A. Creating Canada, 1850-1890 - understanding the factors which led to Confederation, the creation of the Dominion of Canada, and its effect on different groups of people, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals and communities B. Canada: A Changing Society,1890-1914 - investigating the challenges and issues facing individuals, groups, and communities, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, at the turn of the twentieth century until the eve of World War I |
General Resources
- Historica Canada - Devoted to enhancing awareness of Canadian history and citizenship, this organization has also produced the popular "Heritage Minutes" videos.
- Canada History - provides links to significant people, places, and events in Canadian history
- Canada: A Country By Consent - provides a cohesive, chronological narrative of the major political events that have shaped Canada
- Canada in the Making - Narrative text and primary source material are woven together to narrate the history of Canada.
- Canadian Geographic Historical Maps - Use these maps of different time periods to explore the development of Canada as a nation.
- Dictionary of Canadian Biography - Learn about famous Canadian historical figures.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia - Look up anything Canadian!
- Canada: A People's History on CBC - Take a journey through the past by exploring this website, based on the TV series that tells Canada's story through the eyes of the people who lived it.
- Parliament of Canada: House of Commons and Senate - Examine the processes, players, and conventions involved in making Canada's parliamentary system work. See below for specific resources on Parliament:
- Our Country, Our Parliament for interactive puzzles, trivia, videos, and images.
- Parliament 360 for 6 short videos providing a virtual tour of the Parliament Buildings
- Internet History Project - a wide collection of public domain and copy-permitted historical texts
#Here's My Canada: Canada150 Video Contest (Grade 8: 2016-2017)
In honour of Canada's sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) celebration this July 1, 2017, Grade 8 students created bilingual 30-second videos, using their own content and answering the question, "What does Canada mean to me?" Some students chose to submit their videos to the nation-wide Here's My Canada contest.
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War of 1812 Dioramas (Grade 7: 2013-2014)
Ultimately, the War of 1812 was "the war that nobody won". The year 2014 is the celebration of its bicentennial - it is due to the battles of the War of 1812 that Canada remained a part of the British Empire rather than being annexed by the United States.