Grade 5: Sample Learning Activities
- Help students develop a graphic organizer to research the structures and functions of different Western Hemisphere nations including Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This organizer might include the following categories:
- Essential Documents
What are the important documents that express the civic values of this nation and help to shape its government? For example, does this nation have a written constitution? If yes, how does the constitution organize the different branches of government and what are their functions? Does this nation have a written bill of rights that specifies what civic rights are protected by their constitution? How is this bill of rights amended?
- Governmental Roles and Responsibilities
Which type of government does this nation have: a constitutional monarchy, representative democracy, dictatorship, or theocracy? Who are the leaders in this government and how are they selected? How is this government organized? What does each level of government do? Who is responsible for the different functions of government? How does this government enact and enforce legislation? Which branch of government settles disputes between citizens and deals with those who break the law?
- Political Decision Makers and Decision Making
How are people selected to make, enforce, and interpret laws and rules? Who are the leaders? How are they selected? How are the leaders prepared for their roles? How do leaders maintain power and remain in office?
How do different types of governments make, enforce, and interpret laws? What are the basic purposes of government? How do governments change?
- Civic Rights and Responsibilities
What rights do citizens have and how are these rights protected? What roles do individuals play in different types of governmental systems? Does this nation have a constitution and bill of rights and how do they protect an individual's rights? What responsibilities do citizens have in governing this country? How can citizens participate in the public policy making process in this nation? How do citizens gather information about their government? How do citizens influence their governments? How do governments influence the lives of its citizens (e.g., restrict, protect, or enhance their freedoms)? How do immigrants become citizens of this country? What rights do young people have and how can they participate in this nation's government?
Students can develop classroom displays telling about the different types of governments found in the Western Hemisphere. Their presentations can take the form of bulletin board displays, power point presentations, websites, or portfolios that address the questions listed above. Their presentations can also highlight the similarities and differences among the different governments.
Have students compare the United States Bill of Rights with the Canadian Bill of Rights. Students can find the Canadian Bill of Rights on either the Canadian Government or the Canadian Embassy websites at www.canada.gc.ca/canadiangovernment or at www.canadianembassy.org.
Have students click on "government and politics." Ask students to identify similarities and differences and to explain why each document was created.
Have them prepare timelines that show when these documents were adopted. Students might illustrate the meaning of each right listed in the United States and Canadian Bill of Rights. Have students write in their own words the meaning of each right.
An excellent introduction to the study of Canada is Introducing Canada, edited by William Joyce and Richard Beach, NCSS Bulletin No. 94, 192 pp. and published in 1997. The teacher's guide provides teaching strategies and identifies publications, videos, CD-ROMS, interactive software to assist in teaching about Canadian history, culture, and government. Available from the National Council for the Social Studies at 1-800-683-0812. ($14.95/ NCSS members $12) Contact the National Council at www.ncss.org.
Another excellent source of information about teaching Canadian government is About@Canada:A Teacher's Guide. It is available in PDF format and includes a section on government. For more information visit www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/washington/studies/teacherguide-en.asp.
For an excellent videotape about the Canadian Parliament, contact the CBC Host Broadcast Group or the Center for the Study of Canada at SUNY Plattsburgh. (518-564-2087) The videotape was produced by Alli Suurallik in 1989. You can visit the website for the Center for the Study of Canada at www.plattsburgh.edu/offices/academic/cesca Order "Canadian Parliamentary Video" (V-228-3). Other resources available from the Center for the Study of Canada and authored by George Sherman include: O Canada ($35) and Teaching Canada ($5 per issue). The Canadian Information Office is at www.usask.ca/library/gic
Another resource for students is Canada Votes: How we elect our government by Linda Granfield (Toronto: Kids Can Press, 1990, $9.95). This very interesting and engaging book provides an excellent explanation of the Canadian electoral process. It includes information about who can vote, the different political parties, the voting process, and includes a case study of a candidate on the campaign trail. Available from: Kids Can Press Ltd., 29 Birch Avenue, Toronto, Canada M4V 1E2.
Have students identify the major holidays in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other nations of the Western Hemisphere. Students can research the origins for each holiday and describe how these holidays are celebrated. Students can find out if any countries share the same holidays. Students can also explain how these holidays express the values and beliefs of the people who celebrate them. Student groups can present their information to the class, using graphics, drawings, photographs, musical recordings, interviews, and artifacts to describe the origins and meanings of the various holidays.
Students can research the important symbols used by Western Hemisphere nations to express their patriotism and loyalty to their country. Students can research the flags, anthems, monuments, memorials, artworks, sculptures, and important buildings to explain how these symbols reflect the patriotic beliefs, values and attitudes of the citizens. Students can find pictures and drawings of these symbols and prepare murals or bulletin board displays. Students can develop small group presentations that address the following questions:
- What is the meaning of this symbol, memorial, artwork, or monument?
- Americans believe in the importance of their schools, communities, states and nation
- What do the symbols of a nation tell us about that nation's beliefs and values?
- What is the purpose of the different monuments or memorials?
They can present their findings to the class. (Adapted from: Social Studies Instructional Strategies and Resources: Prekindergarten Through Grade 6, State Education Department, 2003, p. 218.)
An excellent resource about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in Canada is From Far and Wide: A Canadian Citizenship Scrapbook by Jo Bannatyne (Tundra Books, 2000, $19.99). This brief children's book describes how a young girl becomes a Canadian citizen. It includes the Oath of Citizenship, the Canadian national anthem, requirements for citizenship, and rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Students can compare the Canadian citizenship requirements with those in the United States, Mexico, and other nations of the Western Hemisphere. Students can also research the rights and responsibilities of citizens in these other nations and prepare charts that illustrate the similarities and differences.
The following websites can provide valuable information for students about the governments of Canada, Mexico, and other nations of Latin America:
www.canada.gc.ca and www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook (CIA fact book includes government information about various nations of the world.) Students can also visit the Canadian Embassy by clicking on its website at www.canadianembassy.org (Click on government and politics.) or by contacting Canadian Embassy offices in New York City and Buffalo.
Have students compare the national anthems of Canada, the United States, and another Western Hemisphere country. Ask students to investigate the history of the anthem, who wrote it and when. Students can explain the meaning of the lyrics and their symbolism. One useful source for the Canadian national anthem is O Canada by Ted Harrison (Toronto: Kids Can Press, 1992), ISBN 1-55074-087-3.
Students can design and produce a weekly or biweekly newspaper focusing on current events in the Western Hemisphere. They can collect newspaper articles from local, regional, and Internet sources to include in their newspaper. These articles can emphasize political and social events as well as stories that interest students. Students can locate these stories on maps and explain why these stories pose challenges to the governments of these countries.
Canadian Studies for Elementary and Junior High School Teachers: Syllabus and Resource Guide is a very valuable and useful supplement available from the New York State Education Department Publications Sales Office at (518) 474-3806. Module V: The Political Perspective- How Canadians Meet Political Needs includes a variety of focus questions, student activities, resources, and student handouts. This module will help students understand the structure and functions of the different levels of government in Canada. It also includes a copy of the British North America Act of 1867 and Part One, Article One of the Canadian Bill of Rights. Another interesting activity focuses on the patriotic symbols and celebrations of Canada.
