Links

What in the World? Level 2 Issue 4 |

Taylormania Takes the World by Storm

Before reading (p. 4)

1. Project the infographic at the link below:

2. Alternatively, you could show this report from PBS about the 2023 U.S. leg of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

Questions for online exploration (p.8) 

1. Watch the Eras Tour Concert Film official trailer: 

2. Meet some Swifties who attended one of Ms. Swift's recent Eras Tour concerts in Toronto:

3. Have you heard of the ‘Swift Effect’?  Find out how Taylor Swift is a marketing genius and how her Eras Tour supported the economy in cities on her tour:

4. Check out this amazing infographic which shows a detailed timeline of an Eras Tour concert:

5. Watch this montage of Taylor Swift's accomplishments from a young teen in Tennessee to the global pop superstar she is today: 

Table (p. 10)

Use the following link and complete the table to show the number of sales for Taylor Swift's top ten selling albums.

A (Nearly) New U.S. President

Before reading (p. 15)

Questions for Further Thought ( p. 20)

Visit this site to explore the Electoral Votes won by state:

Questions for online exploration (p. 21)

b) Watch Vice President Kamala Harris' concession speech:

2. Learn how Mr. Trump won the 2024 U.S. presidential election:

3. How did world leaders react to Mr. Trump's decisive win?

4. Explore this photo gallery from the night of the election:

5. The United States has been a long-time ally of Canada. Mr. Trump has already announced that he will be slapping new tariffs on all goods imported from Canada. Learn more about these tariffs and Canada's reaction:

6. Check out these links to learn more about how the U.S. electoral process works:

India's Killer Smog Problem

Before reading (p. 27)

Have students watch this video, which explains the science of smog: 

Questions for online exploration (p.32)

1. Learn more about why smog levels in India have become so dangerous:

2. How have smog levels impacted the health of Indian citizens?

3. Watch this report that compares the situation in New Delhi with the situation in other major cities that have made positive changes to address smog: 

4. Learn more about Air Quality Index (AQI) and how it is measured:

5. Check out this real-time AQI index:

6. Learn more about steps that India and other countries can take to improve the quality of air in the country:

7. Learn more about the country of India:

Conference of the Parties (COP29)

Before reading (p. 37)

Debrief student answers as a class. Make note of similar responses. Leave any unanswered questions as such and encourage students to watch for the answers to these as they view the summary of COP29 at this link:

Questions for online exploration (p.42)

1. Learn more about the initial goals for COP29:
Official home page: 

UN site: 

BBC report: 

2. Explore the outcomes of COP29:

3. Learn more about the reactions and responses from both developed and developing nations to this deal:

4. Canada's Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault led the Canadian delegation to Baku. Learn more about Canada’s commitment to reaching a climate finance deal at COP29:

5. Check out the State of The Climate report prepared by climate scientists at the WMO (World Meteorological Organization) in preparation for COP29:

Inquiry project

The Steps of an Inquiry Project (p. 47)

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. 50)

1. Check out Trevor MacKenzie’s website with links to podcasts, blogs, social media links, and other resources on Inquiry‑based learning: 

• https://www.trevormackenzie.com

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” 

The Canadian Reader - Issue 4 |

Smart Garbage Cans

Internet Connections (p.12)

1. Find out more about this news story:

2. Learn more about the inventors and their innovation:

3. Explore past projects in the Youth Innovation Showcase:

4. For Teachers:
Recycling sorting station:

5. Bin Genius: 

Food Banks 

Internet Connections (p. 19)

1. Find out more about this news story:

2. Read the 2024 HungerCount report:

3. Find out ways you can help the food bank:

4. For Teachers:
Social Action Projects: 

One Cool Coin

Internet Connections (p.p. 26-27)

1. Find out more about this news story:

2. Learn more about the Inuit homeland and the people by exploring these links:

3. See the coin:

4. For teachers: 
Map of Inuit homeland:

Click to see front and back close-ups of the coin: 

5. How to make a ‘lift the flap’ book: 

What in the World? Level 2 Issue 3 |

A Solemn Day Of Remembrance 

Before reading (p. 4)

Have students watch this short video about the importance of Remembrance Day and why we wear a poppy:

Questions for online exploration (p.8) 

1. Visit the Canadian War Museum to see online exhibits, a variety of school resources, and virtual artifacts:

a) Remembrance Day collection:

b) Canada and World War I: 

c) Tomb of the Unknown Soldier:

d) Plan a Remembrance Day ceremony: 

2. Learn more about the National War Memorial, the site of Canada’s national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa:

3. Learn more about World War I battles in which Canadians fought, some of our soldiers’ personal stories, the medals they won, and the memorials that honour them:

4. Learn more about the Royal Canadian Legion and its role in the community and in Remembrance Day ceremonies:

5. The Department of National Defence coordinates a program where Canadian citizens can write to members of our troops to thank them for their service:

Middle East Tensions Hit New High

Questions for online exploration (p. 20)

1. Watch this summary of how tensions escalated between Israel and Iran in April:

2. Learn more about how Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies were sabotaged and why: 

3. On October 1, Iran fired some 180 missiles at Israel: 

4. On October 3, Hezbollah confirmed that their leader, Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike:

5. October 7,marked a year since the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023:

6. What is next in this conflict? Is a ceasefire possible to end these tensions? 

Angry Hurricanes Ravage The U.S.

Before reading (p. 26)

Scroll through the photos found at the following links, allowing 10-15 seconds per image for students to take in what they are seeing:

Hurricane Helene:

Hurricane Milton:

Questions for online exploration (p.31)

1. Check out the path of Hurricane Helene:

2. Learn about the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene:

3. Recovery efforts are ongoing for victims of Helene:

4. Check out the path of Hurricane Milton:

5.Learn about the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Milton:

6.  Recovery efforts are ongoing for victims of Milton:

7. Check out trackers and alerts for the 2024 hurricane season:

8. Explore these facts about hurricanes and how to prepare for them:

All About Hurricanes

Before reading (p. 41)

Have students watch this short video introducing hurricanes: 

Questions for online exploration (p.46)

1. What are hurricanes and how are they formed?

2. Learn about the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale that is used to classify categories of hurricanes based on their wind speed:

3. Have you ever wondered why tropical storms and hurricanes are named?

4. How do storm surges work and why can they be so deadly?

5. Many scientists suggest that climate change is supercharging hurricanes:

Table (p. 47)

Part A:

Use the following link and complete the table to show the total number of storms for each decade and the number of hurricanes. 

Part B:

Use the following link to complete the table to show the top 10 U.S. states that have been historically impacted by hurricanes: 

Inquiry project

The Steps of an Inquiry Project (p. 53)

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. 56)

1. Check out Trevor MacKenzie’s website with links to podcasts, blogs, social media links, and other resources on Inquiry‑based learning: 

• https://www.trevormackenzie.com

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” 

The Canadian Reader - Issue 3 |

A Glaring Problem

Internet Connections (p.11)

1. Find out more about this news story:

2. Discover ways to stop birds from hitting windows:

3. Learn more about dangers for migrating birds:

4. For Teachers: 

Images of migrating birds:

A Wonderful Webb of Fashion

Internet Connections (pp. 18-19)

1. Find out more about this news story:

3. Learn more about famous Canadians with disabilities:

4. For Teachers:
Famous Canadians:
Terry Fox: 

Rick Hansen: 

Keanu Reeves: 

Jeff Healy: 

George Alevizos: 

Marie Webb :

Maude Lewis: 

Dinosaur Discovery

Internet Connections (p. 26)

1. Find out more about this news story:

2. Learn more about dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period:

3. For Teachers:
Pre-reading images:
Maps:

4. Scientists & fossils (Photos of the scientists and one of the fossils are embedded in these articles. When you project them be sure to ‘hide’ the captions.)

What in the World? Level 2 Issue 2 |

The Gordie Howe International Bridge

Before reading (p. 4)

1. Project the following photo, being careful not to reveal the name that appears in the text right below the photo:

2. Have students view this retrospective of Gordie Howe, Mr. Hockey:

Questions for online exploration (p.9) 

1. Visit the official site of the Gordie Howe International Bridge:

2. Visit the official Canadian and U.S. government sites related to the Gordie Howe International Bridge:

3. Check out these photographs of bridge construction that show the magnitude of the project:

4. Explore these interesting facts about the Gordie Howe Bridge and meet some of the people involved in the project:

5. Watch as the last connecting beams are put in place and see the handshake midway between Canada and the U.S.:

6. As you see it, what will be the legacy of the Gordie Howe International Bridge?

7. Learn more about Gordie Howe, 'Mr Hockey':

Table (p. 10)

Complete the table below to show the value of Canada – U.S. trade over the past 10 years. The following link will help: 

Women's Hockey Gears Up for a New Season

Before reading (p. 12)

1. Project the league logo for the PWHL:

2. Next, share that the PWHL has just revealed the six team names for the league:

Questions for online exploration (p. 17)

1. Visit the PWHL's official website:

2. Learn more details about the PWHL:

3. Jayna Hefford, senior vice-president of PWHL operations and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, explains what the PWHL means for hockey and women’s sports in general:

4. Learn more about the six PWHL team names and how they were selected to reflect the location where the teams play:

5. The draft for the second season of the PWHL was held in June. Meet some of the newest PWHL members:

6. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame website to learn about the pioneers of women's hockey:

 

A 'Fixed' Election in Venezuela

Before reading (p. 21)

Have students view this news report that was aired by PBS the night before the Venezuelan election:

Questions for online exploration (p.26)

1. Learn more about how Mr. Maduro was declared president of Venezuela in July:

2. Opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez claims he won the election and can prove it:

3. Find out more about the arrest warrant for Mr. Gonzalez issued by a Venezuelan judge in the aftermath of the election:

4. Learn why Spain granted political asylum to opposition leader Gonzalez:

5. Which countries support Mr. Maduro’s re-election and which ones question it?

6. Learn more about the country of Venezuela:

NASA Astronauts Stranded in Space

Before reading (p. 30)

During the second viewing, students can take dot jot notes of the information relative to their two question words:

Questions for online exploration (p.35)

1. Watch the launch of the Boeing Starliner on June 5:

2. Find out what went wrong with this mission.

3. Why did NASA make the decision to have Starliner return to Earth without its crew?

4. How did this mission go from 8 days to 8 months?

5. What is the plan for returning astronauts Wilmore and Williams to Earth?

6. Explore the NASA and ISS sites:

7. Learn more about Boeing Starliner spacecraft:

8. Check out some of the everyday products that were developed using space exploration technology:

Inquiry project

The Steps of an Inquiry Project (p. 43)

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. 46)

1. Check out Trevor MacKenzie’s website with links to podcasts, blogs, social media links, and other resources on Inquiry‑based learning: 

• https://www.trevormackenzie.com

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”