AmblesideOnline in Canada

"When the CBC is instructed by Parliament to do what it can to promote Canadian unity and identity, it is not always realized that unity and identity are quite different things to be promoting, and that in Canada they are perhaps more different than they are anywhere else." (Northrop Frye)

"Canada began as an obstacle, blocking the way to the treasures of the East, to be explored only in the hope of finding a passage through it." (Northrop Frye)

Part One: Introduction

Weekly Schedules

The first version of AO's Canada page was created when we were barely into the new millennium. Since that time, the curriculum has changed; books and sources and technology have changed; and the world and our country have also changed. AO tends to take a long view of history and literature; celebrating the past is a big part of what we do. But it's important to balance the classic with the current, and to continue to look critically at both older resources, which may promote cultural stereotypes, or simply be out of date; and newer ones, which may either reek of political correctness, or simply not measure up to the best literary standards

There are many, many websites and commercial resources designed for Canadian school and home educators. Some of them will be useful to educators following Charlotte Mason's philosophy, and some will be less so. And in some cases, like Charlotte Mason, we will (still, after almost twenty years) recommend certain less-than-ideal books because of important content or for other reasons. Perhaps in another twenty years we will have discovered better ones!

This updated page will begin with general topics, and then provide suggestions for specific AO years and/or subjects. We are indebted to many who have posted their recommendations and discoveries on the Canadian section of the AO Forum (and encourage people to continue to do so!). The two problems with including resources provided by so many users are that, first, none of us have been able to personally try out or use every history book etc.; and, second, that you may purchase recommended resources and discover that they do not meet your family's values or needs. The best book for children in Charlottetown may not be the best for those in Vancouver. So, please, do borrow, preview, sample, price, ask questions before committing to an unknown book. And let us know what has worked well for you (and what hasn't).

Canada's First Nations and Multiculturalism

This is a sensitive issue, and seems to be constantly growing more so. For Canadians of European background, resources which seem (to us) to contain a balanced view of aboriginal (or any minority) issues may not be viewed in the same way by those coming from other perspectives. Stories told by even well-informed and perceptive outsiders are still those told by outsiders, and some of us may be surprised when we're told, or we realize ourselves, that our favourite books come up short or send messages that we hadn't intended. For example, a long-unquestioned early-years focus in Canadian history is European exploration, particularly by the "Big-C" group: Cabot, Cartier, and Champlain, and the establishment of forts and towns in New France. What does that narrative mean to us as adults from various backgrounds (including those whose families came to Canada more recently)? What is the message that it communicates to our children? Do we need to add more to the story, and what amount of "study" is appropriate for younger or older students? How should we do that? (I put "study" in quotation marks because that might include any sort of real-life experiences and the use of local cultural resources, not just books.)

Another example of traditional content but whose history is not always seen as positive now is the story of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. For many Canadians, this is an important and symbolic part of our country's history, a good thing to share with young children. For others, that story carries negative connotations. Even our first Prime Minister is currently unpopular with many people. While we do not need to load young children's education with controversy over every event and every "hero," we should not forget that government actions did not benefit all groups equally. Canadian home educators must have an awareness of current issues so that we can be discerning in our own reading and in our book choices for children (as well as gaining empathy for groups other than our own).

Two recommended sources for self-education in this area would be Canadian public libraries (because most libraries provide educational materials, learning kits, and booklists, or at least can point us to sources of information); and the First Nations themselves (through websites, local events, books, etc.).

History

(See also notes under specific years.)

Several out-of-print history textbooks have been used and recommended by AO users. There is a joke among us that all history books are called either Canada's Story or The Story of Canada, but it does seem to be true, so check authors carefully.

A popular textbook used in public schools is The Story of Canada by Christopher Moore, Janet Lunn, and Alan Daniel (illustrator). This has gone through various editions and is still (at this writing) in print. While it is appealing to have such a large, attractive, CURRENT history textbook, we have found that the book has certain drawbacks for Charlotte Mason educators. In many places, it seems to move too quickly, which makes it difficult to use for narrations. One use we have found for it is as a supplement or substitute at the end of Year 5 (or when World War I is studied) and then in Year 6, to provide an overview of 20th century Canadian history.

The historical biographies from the old series Great Stories of Canada are often recommended for specific time periods. These are by different authors and can vary in quality and acceptability. The much newer Dear Canada diary-style series has also met with mixed reviews: some of the books are better than others in both accuracy and literary quality. Parents of sensitive children might also want to preview the Dear Canada books, as the topics (such as the Halifax Explosion and the 1918 influenza epidemic) are sometimes described quite graphically.

Literature and Legends

Each of the Years contains notes for Literature (and also Free Reading). The anthology Spirit of Canada, which includes stories, poems, and songs, is used throughout the elementary years.

We have chosen three Canadian poets who were all well known in their own times, though they are somewhat neglected today; and, although their styles and subjects vary, much of their work is accessible to children. We have aimed at a "fit and beautiful expression of inspiring ideas and pictures of life," which, we hope, will inspire Canadian families to seek out other poets, old and new, who will offer more of the same. There are enough poems for each author to be read aloud during one term. We feel they are best suited for students using AO Years Four through Six, although many of the poems (especially those by Arthur Bourinot) can be read with younger children. You may choose to substitute one of those poets each year for one of the suggested poets in the regular AO rotation. Another way to use them might be during a weekly time of Canadian Studies, stretching out each poet’s work over a longer period of time. You can purchase AO's Canadian Companion which includes these poems in paperback or Kindle with our Amazon.com affiliate link ($amzn) (K)

Nature Study and Science

Nature study is a great place to learn about Canada, your province or territory, and your own region. There are classic older resources and also new ones: public libraries are a good place to browse, in both the adult and children's sections. The old textbook Natural Science Through the Seasons by J.A. Partridge ($) was originally written for Ontario teachers, became very popular a few years ago with homeschoolers, and has now been reprinted. A newer series of books is the Nature All Around trilogy by Pamela Hickman, published by Kids Can Press: Bugs ($), Plants ($), Trees ($), Birds ($).

The Canadian concept of "summer at the cottage" lends itself to topics such as astronomy, lakes, trees, geology, etc. Kids Can Press has published helpful guides (The Kids Cottage Book; Kids Book of the Night Sky) for kids discovering the out-of-doors during summer vacation. A newer title is Get Outside: The Kids Guide to Fun in the Great Outdoors, by Jane Drake and Ann Love ($). Many Scouting/Guiding resources would have similar activities.

Geography

Year 1's Paddle-to-the-Sea is one book not to be missed! Along the same lines: Hold on, McGinty by Nancy Hartry ($). There are only a few geography titles listed here, but we may expand that later. In the meantime, the Canadian Geographic website has a "kids" section which may offer inspiration.

Folklore, Songs, and Other Canadian Things

The book The Spirit of Canada, edited by Barbara Hehner, is used throughout the elementary years. ($) (Online at archive.org)

Holidays and Special Days

Canada Day: Many families won't be doing school on July 1, but it can still be a good chance for informal learning, especially through field trips to historic sites (many of them are free on the holiday).

If you live in Newfoundland, you will probably observe Memorial Day on July 1st instead.

Remembrance Day: Celebrated on November 11th in most of Canada, this is a good opportunity to discuss many aspects of Canadian and world history, along with issues such as war, peace, and freedom. Depending on the age of the students, you may want to seek out books or articles on poets such as John McCrae, the author of In Flanders Fields. If you watch the Remembrance Day broadcast from Ottawa, you may also end up discussing topics such as why (on this day vs. others) the Governor-General seems to take a larger role than the Prime Minister.

A Caveat on Free Books

All books currently available in some free online format have been marked as such.

That does not necessarily mean that AmblesideOnline recommends "borrowing" or downloading non-public-domain books. When possible and practical, the most honourable way to thank authors and publishers for their work is to buy new copies.

However, many of us already borrow and buy books, especially out-of-print titles, from secondhand sources, and those sales (or non-sales) do not directly benefit authors either. At the time of this writing (admittedly a strange time in history), our access to libraries and many used sources has also been curtailed. Some people live far away from used bookstores, or have very tight homeschool budgets, so online-and-free may be their only option. Finally, listing online versions here (even if the copyright waters are a bit murky) is a way for educators to at least browse the books recommended. Previewing a couple of chapters or even a few pages may be enough to give a thumbs-up, or possibly down.

Again, where it is possible and you have the means, buy a new book. Otherwise, feel encouraged that it has become possible to explore so many classic and scarce titles through the digital world. (And remember to support those sites as well, if you can.)

Part Two: Weekly Schedules

Notes on the Weekly Schedules: These are designed to be integrated with the existing AmblesideOnline curriculum. The books listed here can act as substitutes for or additions to the standard booklists. Where weeks are "empty," it simply means that there are no changes to be made.

Year 0

Extra Picture Books

There are existing Canadian homeschool resources which make use of picture books, so you may wish to make use of those in the preschool or early elementary years. Some recommended by AO users and on other book lists include:

Up in the Tree, by Margaret Atwood

Mary of Mile 18, by Ann Blades

A Morning to Polish and Keep by Julie Lawson ($)

The Pony Man, by Gordon Lightfoot (hard to find!)

The Sugaring-Off Party by Jonathan London ($)

Have You Seen Birds?, by Joanne Oppenheim and Barbara Reid ($)

A Salmon for Simon, by Betty Waterton ($) (free online at archive.org)

Two by Two by Barbara Reid ($) (online at archive.org) and others, many of which can also be found online.

Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt, by Barbara Smucker ($) (online at archive.org)

Year 1

History Books and Biographies

A Pioneer Story, by Barbara Greenwood (Story plus activities) ($) This book can be found on archive.org under its U.S. title, A Pioneer Sampler.

* For Remembrance Day: In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae, by Linda Granfield (this could be saved until Year 2 or 3 ($); you may be able to view it at archive.org). The poem itself is also found in Spirit of Canada, p. 193.

Literature and Legends

Canadian Fairy Tales, by Cyrus Macmillan (online at Project Gutenberg)

Spirit of Canada, edited by Barbara Hehner (online at archive.org)

Free Reading (not scheduled)

Waiting for the Whales, by Sheryl McFarlane. Please preview this book before reading it with your children. Although it is well written, the subject matter (death of a grandparent) and the belief expressed that the man's spirit has gone to swim with the whales will not be appropriate for every situation. ($; Free on archive.org.)

Down by Jim Long's Stage: Rhymes for Children and Young Fish, by Al Pittman ($) Another book along the same lines is Whispers of Mermaids and Wonderful Things, edited by Sheree Fitch and Anne Hunt. ($)

The Princess of Tomboso: a fairy-tale in pictures. Based on the story collected by Marius Barbeau and retold by Michael Hornyansky in The golden phoenix (Free on archive.org.)

How the Chipmunk Got its Stripes, by Nancy Cleaver (A version by Joseph Bruchac ($) is free to borrow online archive.org.)

How Summer Came to Canada, by William Toye (Free online at archive.org)

The Mare's Egg, by Carole Spray ($)

Geography: Paddle-to-the-Sea concerns the Great Lakes region and the St. Lawrence River, and is already scheduled throughout the year. ($) (Online at archive.org. A picture book about a journey in the other direction is Hold on, McGinty by Nancy Hartry. ($)

Week 1

Canada's National Anthem: Work on learning O Canada if you do not already know it. (Spirit of Canada, p. 177) (Check online for updates to wording.)

Canadian Fairy Tales: How Glooskap Made the Birds

Week 2

Spirit of Canada: How Two-Feather Was Saved from Loneliness, by C.J. Taylor

Canadian Fairy Tales: Rabbit and the Grain Buyers

Week 3

Spirit of Canada: Manabozho and the Maple Trees, by Joseph Bruchac (You can also find this story in Bruchac's book The Native Stories from Keepers of the Earth, free online at archive.org.)

Canadian Fairy Tales: The Fall of the Spider Man

Week 4

Spirit of Canada: How the Thunder Made Horses, by Frances Fraser (This story is found in The Bear Who Stole the Chinook and other stories, free online at archive.org.)

Week 5

Spirit of Canada: Scannah and the Beautiful Woman, by Joan Skogan. This story is from The Princess and the Sea-Bear and other Tsimshian stories. (Online at archive.org.)

Week 6

Canadian Fairy Tales: The Boy Who Was Called Thick-Head

Week 7

Week 8

Canadian Fairy Tales: Rabbit and the Indian Chief

Week 9

Week 10

Canadian Fairy Tales: Great Heart and the Three Tests

Week 11

Week 12

Canadian Fairy Tales: Saint Nicholas and the Children

Week 13

Canada's Provinces: Work on learning the names of the provinces and territories.

Week 14

Canadian Fairy Tales: The Boy of the Red Twilight Sky

Week 15

Week 16

Canadian Fairy Tales: How Raven Brought Fire to the Indians

Week 17

Week 18

Canadian Fairy Tales: The Girl Who Always Cried

Week 19

Week 20

Canadian Fairy Tales: Ermine and the Hunter

Week 21

Canadian Fairy Tales: How Rabbit Deceived Fox

Week 22

Canadian Fairy Tales: The Boy and the Dragon

Week 23

Canadian Fairy Tales: Owl With the Great Head and Eyes

Week 24

Week 25

Canada's Landmarks: Work on learning a few key geographical locations, e.g. the oceans, Hudson Bay, major rivers (especially those in your own region), prairies, Rocky Mountains, etc. Geographical jigsaw puzzles are one time-honoured way of getting to know what goes where.

A Pioneer Story: The Robertsons/Signs of Spring

Folk Song: "Squid-jiggin' Ground" by A.R. Scammell (Spirit of Canada, p. 135)

Week 26

A Pioneer Story: Maple-Sugaring

Week 27

Canadian Fairy Tales: Rainbow and the Autumn Leaves

Week 28

A Pioneer Story: School Days

Week 29

A Pioneer Story: Baby Animals

Week 30

Canadian Fairy Tales: Rabbit and the Moon-Man

Week 31

A Pioneer Story: Finding a Honey Tree

Week 32

A Pioneer Story: Granny's Story

Canadian Fairy Tales: choose one you have not read

Week 33

Canadian Fairy Tales: choose one you have not read

Week 34

A Pioneer Story: Milking

Week 35

Canadian Fairy Tales: choose one you have not read

Week 36

A Pioneer Story: Sheep Shearing

Year 2

History Books and Biographies: (choose one main textbook from the first three)

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall (Scanned as part of Our Empire Story at archive.org; also at available Google Books)

Story of Canada by George Brown, Eleanor Harman, and Marsh Jeanneret ($) (available online at archive.org)

The Story of Canada, by Edith L. Marsh (available online at archive.org)

A Pioneer Story, by Barbara Greenwood (continued from Year One)

Optional: Leif the Lucky by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire ($)

Optional: Into Unknown Waters: John and Sebastian Cabot by Eric N. Simons

Optional Cartier Discovers the St. Lawrence by William Toye, illustrated by Laszlo Gal: one option for the history readings on Jacques Cartier. A longer option is Cartier Sails the St. Lawrence, by Esther Averill (online at archive.org.).

Literature and Legends: Spirit of Canada, edited by Barbara Hehner (online at archive.org.)

Free Reading (not scheduled):

Owls in the Family, by Farley Mowat ($) (online at archive.org.)

The Olden Days Coat, by Margaret Laurence ($)

Canadian Wonder Tales, by Cyrus Macmillan (online at Project Gutenberg; for those who especially enjoyed Canadian Fairy Tales).

Week 1

A Pioneer Story: The Peddler's Visit

Folk Song: "Jack was Every Inch a Sailor" (traditional) (Spirit of Canada, p. 138)

Week 2

A Pioneer Story: Fishing

Spirit of Canada: Poem: "A Fish Story" by bp Nichol (p. 166)

Week 3

A Pioneer Story: Harvesting the Crops

A Pioneer Story: A Visit to the General Store

Spirit of Canada: Thrand and Abidith, by Joan Clark (p. 15), from the book The Dream Carvers

Week 4

A Pioneer Story: Building the New House

A Pioneer Story: The Cornhusking Bee

Week 5

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: How Lief the Son of Eric the Red Sailed Into the West

Leif the Lucky by the D'Aulaires (both cover the same material)

Week 6

A Pioneer Story: Shadow Stories

Spirit of Canada: Chikabash and the Strangers (p. 24)

Week 7

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: Westward! Westward! Westward! (about the Cabots)

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The White Man Comes to Canada / How the Cabots Found the Cod-Banks

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: Finding the New World

Into Unknown Waters: John and Sebastian Cabot, by Eric Simons (recommendation from an AO user)

Spirit of Canada: Poem "The Way of Cape Race," by E.J. Pratt (p. 265)

Week 8

Story of Canada (Brown) (if using): The Second Voyage

A Pioneer Story: Lost in the Woods

Week 9

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: How a Breton Sailor Came to Canada

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Jacques Cartier Finds the St. Lawrence Gateway

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The First Explorer in Canada and the People He Found

Cartier Discovers the St. Lawrence (by William Toye, illustrated by Laszlo Gal): read over two or three weeks. Alternative longer book: Cartier Sails the St. Lawrence, by Esther Averill.

Week 10

A Pioneer Story: Moving Day

Week 11

A Pioneer Story: Christmas Visiting

Week 12

A Pioneer Story: Hogmanay

Week 13

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: The Story of Henry Hudson

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Discovery of Hudson Bay

Week 14

Week 15

Spirit of Canada: "The Giant Bear," by Kiakshuk (p. 171)

Week 16

Spirit of Canada: Poem "And My Heart Soars," by Chief Dan George (p. 266) (online at poemhunter.com)

Week 17

Spirit of Canada: Poem "Canadian Indian Place Names," by Meguido Zola (p. 267)

Week 18

Spirit of Canada Song: "Something to Sing About," by Oscar Brand (p. 268)

Week 19

Spirit of Canada: "Johnny Chinook," by Robert E. Gard (p. 164), from the book Johnny Chinook: Tall Tales and True From the Canadian West

Week 20

Week 21

Spirit of Canada: "Paul Bunyan Digs the St. Lawrence River," by Dell J. McCormick (p. 162), from Paul Bunyan Swings His Axe (online at archive.org.)

Week 22

Week 23

Spirit of Canada: "Ti-Jean Brings Home the Moon," by Eva Martin (p. 159), from her book Canadian Fairy Tales (not to be confused with the book by Cyrus Macmillan, but it can also be borrowed online at archive.org).

Week 24

Spirit of Canada: Poem "A Mosquito in the Cabin," by Myra Stilborn (p. 237) (can be searched for online)

Week 25

Folk Song: Nova Scotia Song (traditional) (Spirit of Canada, p. 140)

Week 26

Week 27

Week 28

Week 29

Week 30

Week 31

Week 32

Week 33

Week 34

Week 35

Week 36

Year 3

History Books and Biographies: (choose one main textbook)

Story of Canada by George Brown, Eleanor Harman and Marsh Jeanneret (available online at archive.org)

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall (Scanned as part of Our Empire Story at archive.org; also at available Google Books)

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh (online at archive.org.)

Optional: Madeleine Takes Command by Ethel Brill ($) (free online at archive.org). (NOTE: Madeleine, although well written, requires discussion about its mostly-negative portrayal of Native Canadians.)

Optional: **He Went With Champlain, by Louise Andrews Kent (This is a fairly long book and could be left for a later year)

Literature: (The Adventures of) Sajo and the Beaver People (also titled Sajo and Her Beaver People), by Grey Owl ($) (free online at Project Gutenberg)

Free Reading (not scheduled):

* Pioneer Thanksgiving by Barbara Greenwood ($) (online at archive.org.)

* Pioneer Christmas by Barbara Greenwood (If you read A Pioneer Story last year, you may enjoy these sequels)

** Alphonse, That Bearded One, by Natalie Savage Carlson (online at archive.org.)

** The Talking Cat and Other Stories of French Canada, by Natalie Savage Carlson (online at archive.org.)

Week 1

Sajo and the Beaver People: The Land of the North-West Wind; Gitchie Mee-Gwon, the Big Feather

Folk Song: Big Joe Mufferaw, by Tom C. Connors (Spirit of Canada, p. 87)

Week 2

Sajo and the Beaver People: The Home of the Beaver People; The First Adventure

Week 3

Sajo and the Beaver People: Sajo's Birthday; Big Small and Little Small (Big Small and Little Small also appears in Spirit of Canada, p. 229)

Week 4

Sajo and the Beaver People: The Trader; Sajo Hears the Talking Waters

Week 5

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The First "Canadians" / The Indians of Canada

Sajo and the Beaver People: The Red Enemy; The Empty Basket

Week 6

Sajo and the Beaver People: White Brother to the Indians; The Big Knives

Week 7

Sajo and the Beaver People: The Little Prisoner; Patrick the Policeman

Week 8

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Natives of the North--the Eskimos

Sajo and the Beaver People: Unto the Least of These; Mino-Ta-Kiyah!

Poem: "The Train Dogs," by Pauline Johnson (Spirit of Canada, p. 97) (This poem can be found online)

Week 9

Poem: "I Shall Wait and Wait," by Alootook Ipellie (Spirit of Canada, p. 102) (can be found online)

Sajo and the Beaver People: In the Moon of Falling Leaves

Week 10

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Coming of the French/The Bay of Fundy

Spirit of Canada: "Try Not to be Troublesome," by Jean de Brébeuf (p. 27) (can be found online)

Week 11

Spirit of Canada: The Huron Carol, by Jean de Brébeuf (Spirit of Canada, p. 28)

Week 12

Week 13

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Founding of Quebec

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: The Father of New France

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: Colonizers and Missionaries

Week 14

Week 15

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Making Enemies for New France

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: The Founding of Quebec

Week 16

Spirit of Canada: "The Porcupine," by Lenore Keeshig-Tobias (p. 233) (This can be found in the book Tales for an Unknown City, collected by Dan Yashinsky.)

Week 17

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Champlain Explores Ontario

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: How a Bold Answer Saved Quebec

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The Young Colony

Week 18

Week 19

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): "For the Glory of God" / The Black Robes

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: How the Union Jack Was Hoisted Upon the Fort of St. Louis

Week 20

Week 21

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Story of Montreal

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: The Feast of Eat-Everything

Week 22

Week 23

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Fate of the Huron Missions

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: A Knight of New France

Week 24

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): How Daulac Saved the Colony

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: The Beginning of the Hudson Bay Company

Week 25

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The French in Acadia / The Heroine of Acadia

Week 26

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Changing Hands in Acadia

Spirit of Canada: Leaving Acadia, from A Proper Acadian, by Mary Alice Downie and George Rawlyk

Week 27

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Canada Under the Old Regime / The May-Pole

Week 28

Week 29

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): "Black-Market" in Furs

Week 30

Week 31

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Great Intendant

Week 32

Week 33

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): A Visit to Quebec, 1666

Week 34

Week 35

Week 36

Year 4

Note on History: George Washington's World, by Genevieve Foster, has a misleading title: it covers world history during the lifetime of its main character, so in this case, the 18th century. Much of the U.S. history covered during this period intertwines with that of what would later be the Canadian colonies; so while we may not want to cover Revolutionary heroes in as much depth as American schools do, those events are important to Canadians as well.

History Books and Biographies (choose one main textbook; biographies are optional)

Story of Canada by George Brown, Eleanor Harman, and Marsh Jeanneret (online at archive.org), OR Canada: A New Land, by Edith Deyell OR The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh (online at archive.org). Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall (Scanned as part of Our Empire Story at archive.org; also at available Google Books) can be used to a limited extent.

** Mrs. Simcoe's Diary (the wife of governor John Graves Simcoe) provides notes on life in Upper Canada. ($) (Online at archive.org.)

** Joseph Brant: A Man for His People, by Helen Caister Robinson ($) or another of her biographies such as Mistress Molly, the Brown Lady: A Portrait of Molly Brant. ($) An alternative: Prince in Buckskin by Margaret Widdemer.

Literature and Legends:

Spirit of Canada, edited by Barbara Hehner (online at archive.org.)

** Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Longfellow's long poem Evangeline is set during the Expulsion of the Acadians, from 1755-1764 in Nova Scotia; it makes a good readaloud. ($) (Online at Project Gutenberg, and can also be found in audio versions.)

*** The Incredible Journey, by Sheila Burnford (already scheduled on AO) ($)

Canadian Poetry: Choose one of the three poets linked above (Arthur Bourinot, Isabella Whiteford Rogerson, or Archibald Lampman), and use the selections as a substitute for one of the regular AO poetry terms. Alternatively, add any of the poems you wish to Canadian Studies periods, or family reading times. Note especially that the Arthur S. Bourinot section contains several poems that are particularly relevant to Remembrance Day; and there are various poems throughout the three that are particularly suited to other holidays and times of year.

Free Reading (not scheduled):

Mine for Keeps, by Jean Little ($) (online at archive.org.)

** The Reb and the Redcoats by Constance Savery ($)

*** A Question of Loyalty by Barbara Greenwood ($)

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Coming of the "Adventurers" / The Story of Radisson and Groseilliers

Week 6

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Founding of the Great Company

Canada: A New Land: Did the Norsemen Come and Go?

Week 7

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Iberville the Conqueror

Canada: A New Land: Europeans Found Our Shores By Accident

Week 8

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Fighting Governor / "By the Mouths of My Cannon"

Canada: A New Land: "This is a Good Land: We Will Use It"

Week 9

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): To the Heart of the Continent / La Salle on the Upper Lakes

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: The Adventures of La Salle

Canada: A New Land: (section) Who Unrolled the Map? (read over three weeks)

Week 10

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Down the Mississippi

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: The Adventures of La Salle Continued

Canada: A New Land: (section) Who Unrolled the Map? (read over three weeks)

Week 11

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Discovery of the Great Plains

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: Count Frontenac

Canada: A New Land: (section) Who Unrolled the Map? (read over three weeks)

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: Frontenac and His Times

Week 12

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Story of the La Verendryes

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: The Story of Madeleine de Vercheres

Week 13

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The British in North America / The Thirteen Colonies

Evangeline: Part the First, Section 1

Week 14

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Founding of Halifax, 1749

Evangeline: Part the First, Section 2

Week 15

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Three Letters from Acadia

Canada: A New Land: (section) Who Unrolled the Map? (read over four weeks)

Evangeline: Part the First, Section 3

Week 16

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Seven Years' War / The Story of a British Defeat

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: The War of the Boundary Line

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The French and the English in the New World (over two weeks)

Canada: A New Land: (section) Who Unrolled the Map? (read over four weeks)

Evangeline: Part the First, Section 4

Week 17

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Wolfe and Montcalm (1759)

Canada's Story by H.E. Marshall: The Path of Glory

Canada: A New Land: (section) Ambitions at Work (read over three weeks)

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The French and the English in the New World (over two weeks)

Evangeline: Part the First, Section 5

Folk Song: Brave Wolfe (traditional) (Spirit of Canada, p. 56)

Week 18

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): After the British Victory / The Second Battle of the Plains

Canada: A New Land: (section) Ambitions at Work (read over three weeks)

Evangeline: Part the Second, Section 1

Week 19

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The War Chief of the Ottawas

Canada: A New Land: (section) Ambitions at Work (read over three weeks)

Evangeline: Part the Second, Section 2

Week 20

Evangeline: Part the Second, Section 3

Week 21

Evangeline: Part the Second, Section 4

Week 22

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The American Revolution / The Invasion of Canada

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The British in Command

Evangeline: Part the Second, Section 5 (end)

Week 23

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Father of His Country

Canada: A New Land: (section) The United States Becomes Our Neighbour (read over two weeks)

Week 24

Canada: A New Land: (section) The United States Becomes Our Neighbour (read over two weeks)

A Patriotic Song: The Maple Leaf Forever, by Alexander Muir (Spirit of Canada, p. 179)

Week 25

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): "His Majesty's Loyal Subjects" / The Loyalists in the Maritimes

Canada: A New Land: (section) The Loyalists Move to Canada (read over three weeks)

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The Loyalists, and a New Province

Week 26

Canada: A New Land: (section) The Loyalists Move to Canada (read over three weeks)

Week 27

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Loyalists in Canada

Canada: A New Land: (section) The Loyalists Move to Canada (read over three weeks)

Week 28

Week 29

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): "The Diary of Mrs. Simcoe"

Week 30

Spirit of Canada: Northwest Passage, by Stan Rogers (song)

Week 31

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Furs of Empire / To the North-West

Canada: A New Land: (section) When Fur Traders Ruled the West (read over three weeks)

Week 32

Canada: A New Land: (section) When Fur Traders Ruled the West (read over three weeks)

Spirit of Canada: "The Long Journey of â€˜Our Dog,'" by Ainslie Manson

Week 33

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): To the West Coast / Overland to the Pacific

Canada: A New Land: (section) When Fur Traders Ruled the West (read over three weeks)

Week 34

Spirit of Canada: Poem "Wild Pitch" by Raymond Souster; Story, "The Friday Everything Changed," by Anne Hart (p. 256, 257) (This story can be found online)

Week 35

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Across the Rockies

Week 36

Spirit of Canada: Poems "Sweet Maiden of Passamaquoddy" (alternate title "Sweet Maiden of Quoddy") by James De Mille (p. 248; can be found online); "Kahshe or Chicoutimi" by Dennis Lee (p. 249), from his book Alligator Pie (online at archive.org.)

Year 5

HISTORY NOTE: It's recommended to keep Abraham Lincoln's World by Genevieve Foster as the world history text, unless you have another preferred book. However, if you use a text such as George Brown's Canada in North America (vol. 2) or Edith Deyell's Canada: The New Nation, those do include some U.S. history, too. Another possible combination might be one of the Canadian texts plus Our Island Story (British history). Some users have added or substituted The Great Adventure, by Donalda Dickie, at this level. (Online at archive.org.)

EXTRA NOTE: For the World War I unit at the end of the year, you will probably need a supplementary book, plus other resources covering the period 1914-1918. One possible resource is Story of Canada by Janet Lunn. ($) (Online at archive.org.) The Canadian government offers resources for teachers on this topic, and libraries will also have books on Canada's role in the war.

History Books: Choose one of Story of Canada by George Brown, Eleanor Harman, and Marsh Jeanneret (available online at archive.org) OR Canada in North America 1800-1901 by George Brown, Eleanor Harman, and Marsh Jeanneret (available online at archive.org), OR Canada: The New Nation by Edith Deyell. The first two books are almost identical; the second contains a bit of extra material.

Choose a biography or extra history book:

Joe Howe: The Man Who Was Nova Scotia, by Kay Hill ($)

* Biography of Laura Secord, e.g. Laura's Choice by Connie Crook (retitled Acts of Courage: Laura Secord and the War of 1812) ($), or Laura Secord: Heroine of the War of 1812 by Peggy Dymond Leavey. ($) (Online at archive.org.)

* The Savage River: Seventy-One Days with Simon Fraser, by Marjorie Wilkins Campbell. Other possibilities: The Farthest Shores, by Roderick Haig-Brown; Alexander Mackenzie, Canadian Explorer, by Ronald Syme (online at archive.org); The Map Maker by Kerry Wood (explorer David Thompson)

*** (From) Ocean to Ocean by George Monro Grant. It's described as "the diary of a keen observer who travelled with Sandford Fleming across Canada in 1872 before the transcontinental railway was built." ($) (online at archive.org.)

*** Royal Canadian Mounted Police by Richard L. Neuberger, one of the World Landmark series.; online at archive.org.)

Literature and Legends:

Spirit of Canada, edited by Barbara Hehner (online at archive.org.)

Canadian Crusoes ($) (also titled Lost in the Backwoods), by Catherine Parr Traill. (Three cousins get lost near Rice Lake, Ontario, and survive on their own for many months before they finally make it back home.) There is an excerpt from this book in Spirit of Canada, p. 77. An alternative book by the same author is In the Forest. ($) (Online at Project Gutenberg; all of Traill's books should be online.)

Free Reading (not scheduled):

Lost in the Barrens (also known as Two Against the North), by Farley Mowat ($) (online at archive.org.)

Look Through My Window, by Jean Little (online at archive.org.)

Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery, ($) and sequels (There is an excerpt of this book in Spirit of Canada, p. 183; online at Project Gutenberg; all Montgomery's novels should be free online)

* The Red Sash by Jean E. Pendziwol (life at a fur trading post) ($)

** The Last Safe House by Barbara Greenwood (about the Underground Railroad). ($) (Online at archive.org.)

** Underground to Canada, by Barbara Smucker ($) (online at archive.org under the title Runaway to Freedom)

** The Settlers in Canada, by Frederick Marryat (Published in 1844: the adventures of an immigrant family who settle near Lake Ontario; ($) online at Project Gutenberg.)

** The Birchbark House series by Louise Erdrich (about an Ojibwa family living in the Great Lakes region in the late 1800's) ($)

** The Root Cellar, by Janet Lunn (Timeslip novel about the U.S. Civil War; ($) online at archive.org.)

*** Gold Rush Fever: A Story of the Klondike by Barbara Greenwood (about the Yukon Gold Rush; ($) online at archive.org.)

*** Knights of the Air: Canadian Aces of World War I, by John Norman Harris, one of the Great Stories of Canada series

*** Charlie Wilcox by Sharon E. McKay (a young soldier's experiences during WWI. ($) There is a sequel, Charlie Wilcox's Great War. You may want to preview these books before reading them with younger children; they could be left for middle school or later).

*** Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery ($) Note: This is scheduled as a Free Read for AO Year 5, since it describes WWI as seen by a Canadian teenager (the daughter of Anne). For those who feel that jumping so far ahead in the Anne series is too much of a spoiler, this book can be saved for later years. (Online at Project Gutenberg.)

Miscellaneous: Already scheduled by AO as nature reading: Wild Animals I Have Known by Ernest Thomas Seton. ($) Science biography of Alexander Graham Bell (interesting to Canadians because of the time he spent here). ($)

Week 1

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The War of 1812-1814

Canada in North America 1800-1901: The War of 1812-1814 / The Seeds of Conflict / Fort Michilimakinac

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The War of 1812

Canada: The New Nation: Introduction / In Upper Canada 1800 / Who Lived in Lower Canada in 1800? / Who Lived in the Atlantic Colonies in 1800? / A Canadian Boy Marvels at American Progress

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 1 (1/2)

Week 2

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Story of a Shawnee Chief

Canada in North America 1800-1901: The Story of a Shawnee Chief

Canada: The New Nation: A New Neighbour: The Republic of Mexico / The United States Doubles in Size / Jefferson / The Louisiana Purchase / Looking Farther Westward

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 1 (1/2)

Week 3

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): "At Queenston Heights"

Canada in North America 1800-1901: "At Queenston Heights"

Canada: The New Nation: Neighbours at War / Our Last War Against the United States

Spirit of Canada: MacDonnell on the Heights, by Stan Rogers (Performances can be found online)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 2 (1/2)

Week 4

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): An Even Struggle

Canada in North America 1800-1901: / An Even Struggle / The Battle of Chateauguay / Crysler's Farm / The Course of the War

Canada: The New Nation: Andrew Jackson (section)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 2 (1/2)

Week 5

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Red River Colony / The Story of Lord Selkirk

Canada in North America 1800-1901: The Red River Colony / The Story of Lord Selkirk

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 3 (1/2)

Week 6

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The End of Fur Trade Rivalry

Canada in North America 1800-1901: The End of Fur Trade Rivalry

Canada: The New Nation: Great Fur Trading Days on the Prairies / The Race Overland / Lord Selkirk and the Red River Settlement

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 3 (1/2)

Week 7

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Settlers from Overseas / Steerage Diary, 1832

Canada in North America 1800-1901: (Optional) Pioneer Settlements in Upper Canada

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Settlers from Overseas / Steerage Diary, 1832

Canada: The New Nation: Rivals Become Partners / What Drove the Fur Traders from the Prairies? / Public Opinion vs. the Company

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 4 (1/2)

Week 8

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Steerage Diary (continued)

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Steerage Diary (continued)

Canada: The New Nation: We Grew Up in the British Empire / Our Beginnings in the British Empire / We Grew Up in the British Empires / More Changes in Upper Canada

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 4 (1/2)

Week 9

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Upper Canada, 1832

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Upper Canada, 1832

Canada in North America 1800-1901: (Optional) Building the Pioneer Home / Going into the Bush / Building a Log House

Canada: The New Nation: Every Community Has its Own History / For the Mind and the Heart

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 5 (1/2)

Week 10

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): If you are using this textbook, use the next three weeks to research pioneer life in your region.

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Read the sections "Farming in the Backwoods" and "Pioneer Ways" over the next three weeks

Canada: The New Nation: Britain Tied Her Colonies to Her Apron Strings / We Must Trade to Live. If you are using this textbook, use the next three weeks to research pioneer life in your region.

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 5 (1/2)

Week 11

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): If you are using this textbook, use the next three weeks to research pioneer life in your region.

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Read the sections "Farming in the Backwoods" and "Pioneer Ways" over the next three weeks

Canada: The New Nation: If you are using this textbook, use the next three weeks to research pioneer life in your region.

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 6 (1/2)

Week 12

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): If you are using this textbook, use the next three weeks to research pioneer life in your region.

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Read the sections "Farming in the Backwoods" and "Pioneer Ways" over the next three weeks

Canada: The New Nation: If you are using this textbook, use the next three weeks to research pioneer life in your region.

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 6 (1/2)

Week 13

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Ruling Our Law-Makers / The Little Rebel

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Ruling Our Law-Makers / The Little Rebel

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: A Rebellion and What Came of It

Canada: The New Nation: Neighbours Behind Boundary Lines (read over three weeks)

Spirit of Canada: Excerpt from "The Boy with an R in His Hand," by James Reaney (p. 61); Mackenzie's Call to Rebellion (p. 63)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 7 (1/2)

Week 14

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Struggle in Lower Canada / Nova Scotia's Great Leader

Canada in North America 1800-1901: The Struggle in Lower Canada / Nova Scotia's Great Leader

Canada: The New Nation: Neighbours Behind Boundary Lines (read over three weeks)

Folk Song: Un Canadien errant, by M.A. Gérin-Lajoie (Spirit of Canada, p. 64)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 7 (1/2)

Week 15

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Cry for Reform

Canada in North America 1800-1901: The Cry for Reform

Canada: The New Nation: Neighbours Behind Boundary Lines (read over three weeks)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 8 (1/2)

Week 16

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): "Government by the People" / A Famous Report

Canada in North America 1800-1901: "Government by the People" / A Famous Report

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: Responsible Government

Canada: The New Nation: John A. Macdonald Grew Up With Canada (read over three weeks)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 8 (1/2)

Week 17

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): "Cabinet" Government

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Union of Upper and Lower Canada / "Cabinet" Government

Canada: The New Nation: John A. Macdonald Grew Up With Canada (read over three weeks)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 9 (1/2)

Week 18

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Lord Elgin's Decision

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Lord Elgin's Decision / The Repeal of the Corn Laws and the Movement for Annexation / "Reciprocity"

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: Progress of the Country

Canada: The New Nation: John A. Macdonald Grew Up With Canada (read over three weeks)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 9 (1/2)

Week 19

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Story of British Columbia

Canada in North America 1800-1901: (in Section 16) The Beginning of British Columbia

Folk Song: Way Up the Ucletaw (traditional) (Spirit of Canada, p. 94)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 10 (1/2)

Week 20

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): On the Cariboo Road

Canada in North America 1800-1901: (in Section 16) On the Cariboo Road

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The Father of British Columbia

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 10 (1/2)

Week 21

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Life Across the Colonies a Century Ago / Spring Journey, 1844

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Life Across the Colonies a Century Ago / Spring Journey, 1844

Spirit of Canada: "Caught Between Fire and Ice," by Susanna Moodie (excerpt from her book Roughing It in the Bush, online at Project Gutenberg). You may also want to read Margaret Atwood's poem "The Two Fires" on the pages following.

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 11 (1/2)

Week 22

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Coming Change / Provincial Fair, 1852

Canada in North America 1800-1901: The Coming Change / Provincial Fair, 1852

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 11 (1/2)

Week 23

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Read the section "Civil War in the United States" over two weeks

Canada: The New Nation: The American Civil War (read over two weeks)

Folk Songs: Follow the Drinkin' Gourd (traditional); The Underground Railroad (traditional) (Spirit of Canada, p. 67-69)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 12 (1/2)

Week 24

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Read the section "Civil War in the United States" over two weeks

Canada: The New Nation: The American Civil War (read over two weeks)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 12 (1/2)

Week 25

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Building a Dominion / "Let Us Be United"

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Building a Dominion / "Let Us Be United"

Canada: The New Nation: The New Canadian Partnership (read over three weeks)

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The Dominion of Canada

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 13 (1/2)

Week 26

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): John A. Macdonald and Confederation

Canada in North America 1800-1901: John A. Macdonald and Confederation

Canada: The New Nation: The New Canadian Partnership (read over three weeks)

Story of Canada by Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore: Confederation Days (This book can be borrowed from www.archive.org)

Spirit of Canada: The First of July, 1867, by Donald Creighton (p. 115)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 13 (1/2)

Week 27

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Law That Made a Nation

Canada in North America 1800-1901: The Law That Made a Nation

Canada: The New Nation: The New Canadian Partnership (read over three weeks)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 14 (1/2)

Week 28

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): "Dominion from Sea to Sea" / Two New Provinces

Canada in North America 1800-1901: "Dominion from Sea to Sea" / The Red River Rebellion / Two New Provinces / Transfer of the Arctic Islands

Canada: The New Nation: A Mari Usque Ad Mare / The North-West Becomes the Canadian West / British Columbia Joins the Partnership / Welcome, Prince Edward Island

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The Land Beyond the Great Lakes

Spirit of Canada: "First Contact with Canadian Police," by Rhinehart Friesen (p. 143) OR "No Flour in the Barn," by Beatrice Fines (p. 149)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 14 (1/2)

Week 29

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): "Scarlet and Gold" / The North-West Rebellion

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The Fur Traders and the First Colony

Canada in North America 1800-1901: Sir John A. Macdonald and Western Expansion / "Scarlet and Gold" / Building the C.P.R.

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: The Canadian West

Canada: The New Nation: Can There Be a Real Union? / Helpers in Confederation / Currency in the Colonies / Standard Time and Confederation / Morse's Telegraph Helped to Unite Our Provinces

(another option) The Kids Book of Canada's Railway (Kids Can Press)

Spirit of Canada: "Canadian Railroad Trilogy," by Gordon Lightfoot (p. 123; online at lightfoot.ca); "Spirits of the Railway," by Paul Yee (p. 126)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 15 (1/2)

Week 30

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Steel of Empire / The Mounted Police to-day

Canada in North America 1800-1901: The "Pacific Scandal" / Completion of the C.P.R. / The North-West Rebellion

Canada: The New Nation: Stamps and Confederation / Bell's Telephone / What Would We do Without Electricity?

The Story of Canada by Edith L. Marsh: Some Great Men and What They Did

Spirit of Canada: Poem: "(Riel's) Address to the Jury," by Kim Morrissey (p. 119, online at canpoetry); Song of Louis Riel (p. 120)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 15 (1/2)

Week 31

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): The Growth of the West / Western Pioneer

Canada in North America 1800-1901: (section 19) The Growth of the West / Western Pioneer / The North-West Territories

Canada: The New Nation: Opening the Great North-West / In the American West / Canada Opens Her West / The Mounted Police

Spirit of Canada: "The Lady and the Cowcatcher," by Elma Schemenauer

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 16 (1/2)

Week 32

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Alberta and Saskatchewan Become Provinces

Canada in North America 1800-1901: (section 18) Canada Grows Up / Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee / Sir Wilfrid Laurier / "The Golden Age"

Canada: The New Nation: Making Treaties / The CPR / A Rift in the Partnership

Story of Canada by Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore: Sunny Ways (This book can be borrowed from www.archive.org)

Spirit of Canada: "The Sinking of the Mariposa Belle," by Stephen Leacock (p. 241), from Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town (online at Project Gutenberg.)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 16 (1/2)

Week 33

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Canada Grows Up / Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee / "The Golden Age"

Canada in North America 1800-1901: The Trial of '98 / The South African War / Newfoundland in the 1890's

Canada: The New Nation: Can Laurier Patch Up the Rift? / The Rancher Leads the Way / Advertising for Farmers / The Farmer

Poem: Robert W. Service, "The Cremation of Sam McGee" (Spirit of Canada, p. 98 (online at poetryfoundation) OR Folk Song "When the Ice Worms Nest Again" (Spirit of Canada, p. 239; online at Wikipedia.)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 17 (1/2)

Week 34

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Canada in World War I (do over three weeks)

Story of Canada (Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore): Stormy Times (do over three weeks)

Spirit of Canada: "A Secret for Two," by Quentin Reynolds (p. 187; this can be found online)

Work on chosen biography

Canadian Crusoes, Chapter 17 (1/2) (end)

Week 35

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Canada in World War I (do over three weeks)

Story of Canada (Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore): Stormy Times (do over three weeks)

Spirit of Canada: Poem "Our Dugout," by Edgar McInnis (p. 194) (Pdf at warmuseum.ca.)

Work on chosen biography

Week 36

Story of Canada (Brown, Harman, Jeanneret): Canada in World War I (do over three weeks)

Story of Canada (Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore): Stormy Times (do over three weeks)

Work on chosen biography

Year 6, Term One (Terms Two and Three are to be done according to the standard AO booklist)

History Note for Term One: For Term I (20th Century History), you will need to obtain a history spine that moves fairly quickly over the period between 1918-1965 or 1967, or beyond if desired. 1965 is the year in which Canada chose its maple leaf flag, and 1967, the Centennial, was also the year of Expo '67. Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore's Story of Canada, while not recommended for the earlier years, seems to fit the needs for this term, if you have it available. Note: Story of Canada has gone through various revisions, and some may choose to use other resources, so this schedule will give only a general breakdown of the topics.

This is one time period where there is a real need to cover events from a specifically Canadian point of view. Some compromises may need to be made, perhaps by using more videos or magazines than might be ideal (though those would also need to be edited for content), or using Internet sources. Another book to check out is Canada Year by Year, by Elizabeth MacLeod, which covers the period from 1867 to 2017. ($)

History Books and Biographies: As noted above.

Citizenship Suggestion: How to Build Your Own Country, by Valerie Wyatt. ($) From the Kids Can Press website: "Nation-building advice is peppered with examples of events that have shaped countries throughout history, teaching young readers about government, elections, geography and global issues. Backed up with lots of amazing examples of real micronations - some established or ruled by kids - How to Build Your Own Country promises to inspire, entertain and inform young nation-builders."

Literature and Legends: Tales the Elders Told: Ojibway Legends, by Basil H. Johnston ($) (online at archive.org.) OR Legends of my people, by Norval Morrisseau

Spirit of Canada, edited by Barbara Hehner (online at archive.org.)

Free Reading (not scheduled):

The Dog Who Wouldn't Be, by Farley Mowat ($) (online at archive.org; there is an excerpt from this book in Spirit of Canada, p. 204)

The City Under Ground, by Suzanne Martel (online at archive.org.)

The King's Daughter, by Suzanne Martel (about life in New France; ($) online at archive.org; translation of Jeanne, fille du roy; also online at archive.org)

Hey, Dad! ($); You Can Pick me Up at Peggy's Cove ($) (online at archive.org.); Up to Low ($) (online at archive.org.); Angel Square ($) (online at archive.org.), all by Brian Doyle

Incident at Hawk's Hill, by Allan Eckert ($) (online at archive.org.)

Scrubs on Skates, by Scott Young (classic hockey story; ($) online at archive.org.)

Emily of New Moon, by L.M. Montgomery ($) (online at Project Gutenberg.)

The Story Girl, by L.M. Montgomery ($) (online at Project Gutenberg.) and its sequel The Golden Road ($) (online at Project Gutenberg.)

Bluenose: Queen of the Grand Banks, by Feenie Ziner ($) (online at archive.org.)

* Days of Terror by Barbara Smucker (Mennonite immigration to Canada during the Russian Revolution; ($) online at archive.org.)

* Lesia's Dream by Laura Langston (Canadian immigration during WWI; ($) online at archive.org.)

* The Hockey Sweater and Other Stories, by Roch Carrier. ($) Many students will already have read the title story (Spirit of Canada, p. 251), or seen the animated version. However, the whole book seems to fit well with the first term's work in Year Six.

* From Anna, by Jean Little ($) (online at archive.org) and possibly its sequel, Listen for the Singing ($) (online at archive.org.)

* A Child in Prison Camp, by Shizuye Takashima ($) (online at archive.org.) OR Naomi's Road by Joy Kogawa ($) (online at archive.org.). There is an excerpt from Takashima's book in Spirit of Canada, p. 198.

* Hana's Suitcase, by Karen Levine (about the Holocaust; ($) online at archive.org.)

* The Sky is Falling trilogy, also called the Guests of War trilogy, by Kit Pearson (WWII evacuees to Canada; ($) online at archive.org.)

* One Proud Summer, by Marsha Hewitt (1946 millworkers' strike in Quebec) ($)

Term One

Week 1

1920's (Week One of Two)

Spirit of Canada: Poem "The New Land," by Mark Shekter and Charles Weir (p. 181)

Week 2

1920's (Week Two of Two)

Spirit of Canada: Poem "My Genealogy" by John Robert Colombo (p. 271)

Week 3

1930's (Week One of Two)

Spirit of Canada: Folk Song "Flunky Jim," by Dan Ferguson (p. 203)

Week 4

1930's (Week Two of Two)

Spirit of Canada: Folk Song "Saskatchewan" by William W. Smith (p. 210)

Week 5

World War II (Week One of Three)

Spirit of Canada: Poems "High Flight," by John Gillespie Magee (p. 196); "This Was My Brother," by Mona Gould

Week 6

World War II (Week Two of Three)

Week 7

World War II (Week Three of Three)

Week 8

1950's (Week One of Two)

Spirit of Canada: "Neighbours," by Mary Peate (p. 219); "The Sandwich," by Ian Wallace and Angela Wood (p. 273)

Week 9

1950's (Week Two of Two)

Spirit of Canada: "Mon Pays" by Gilles Vigneault (p. 224); "I Am a Canadian," by Duke Redbird (p. 290)

Week 10

1960's (Week One of Two)

Spirit of Canada: "How Canada Got Its Flag," by Barbara Hehner (p. 213); "Song for Canada" by Ian Tyson and Peter Gzowski (p. 222)

Week 11

1960's (Week Two of Two)

Spirit of Canada: "Ca-Na-Da" by Bobby Gimby (p. 214); "The Centennial Train," by Pierre Berton (p. 215)

Week 12

Catch-up week on history topics

Spirit of Canada "Show and Tell," by Uma Parameswaran (p. 277); Poem "You Have Two Voices" (p. 281)

Last update April 23, 2020

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