Links contained in current issues of The Canadian Reader, What in the World? (Levels 1 and 2), and Building Bridges (Levels 1 and 2) are posted below. To access links from previous issues, click on the appropriate link in the box to the right.
Links
What in the World? | 8 |
The risky business of Gambling Ads
Questions for online exploration (p.9)
1. Learn more about the popularity of sports betting and why its advertising is everywhere:
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=euLb60GD-P8 [44:11]
- https://globalnews.ca/news/10253537/sports-betting-gambling-ads-youth-risks/
2. What is the impact of sports betting, iGaming, youth gambling, and addiction?
- https://whereparentstalk.com/profiles-category/the-impact-of-sports-betting-igaming-youth-gambling-and-addiction/ [11:36] (interview) & [25:43] (podcast)
- https://www.sportsnet.ca/more/article/agco-prohibits-use-of-pro-athletes-to-advertise-market-internet-gaming-in-ontario/
3. Check out these infographics about sports betting in Canada:
- https://www.statista.com/chart/29943/online-sports-betting-users-and-penetration-canada-uk/
- https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/sports-betting-everywhere
4. Are you worried about someone who might be gambling too much? These sites might be helpful:
- https://aidejeu.ca/en/
- https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-info/against-odds-how-cope-gambling-problem/
- https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/problem-gambling
5. Read about Bill C-218 and how it has changed sports betting in Canada:
6. Watch the CBC Marketplace investigative report on the effects of winning and how it leads to riskier betting:
7. Visit the GGTU (Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use) website to learn about the organization's work in supporting those affected by problem gambling:
8. Several organizations have developed pedagogical resources to support youth and adult gambling awareness:
- https://www.ymcagta.org/youth-programs/youth-gambling-awareness-program
- https://www.uvic.ca/research/centres/cisur/publications/helping-schools/iminds/index.php
- https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resources/online-gambling-and-youth
Graphing (p.13)
Page 12 from the following source will help:
Graphing Instructions ( p.14)
Complete the two tables below to show the amount of money collected by governments from gamblers by province from 2020 to 2023.
The following source will help:
Let the Summer Games Begin!
Questions for online exploration (p. 22)
1. Visit the official Olympic Games websites for all of your general questions about the 2024 Paris Games:
2. Visit the official Canadian Olympic team site to learn about who will be representing Canada in Paris this summer:
3. Explore all of the Summer Olympic sports that will be contested in this year's Games:
- https://olympics.com/en/sports/
- https://www.sportico.com/leagues/olympics/2024/new-olympic-sports-2024-paris-1234775913/
- https://paralympic.ca/paralympic-sports
4. Learn about the venues where some events will take place, some of which will be overseas departments of France:
5. Learn why French President Macron is considering reorganizing the Opening Ceremony:
6. What is a chef de mission and who is taking on this role for Team Canada?
7. Who should Canadians be watching to bring home medals for Canada at the 2024 Paris Games?
- https://www.cbc.ca/sports/the-buzzer-newsletter-canada-medal-predictions-paris-2024-1.7176812
- https://solutionsmedia.cbcrc.ca/en/paris-2024/paralympic-athletes-to-keep-an-eye-on-at-paris-2024
- https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/100-day-countdown-to-2024-paris-olympics-starts-now
Tensions Rise Between Iran and Israel
Questions for online exploration (p.38)
1. Watch this summary of the recent tensions between Israel and Iran:
2. Learn more about the 300 drones and missiles lobbed at Israel by Iran on April 13:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel-iran-attacks-reckoning-1.7173374 [0:59] [2:02]
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/iran-israel-drone-attack-1.7173115
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/audio/1.7173486 [17:14] (podcast)
3. How did Israel’s defence systems manage to intercept the onslaught of drones and missiles from Iran?
4. Learn more about Israel's response to the April 13 attack. which took place on April 18 near a nuclear plant and military base in Iran:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel-iran-missiles-1.7178447 [0:48] [2:22] [2:06]
5. According to CBC war correspondent Chris Brown, Iran and Israel have shown signs that they have taken a step back from a catastrophic regional war. Hear his analysis of the current situation:
6. Where do Israel and Iran go from here? Learn more about the complicated history between the two countries and what might come next:
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/audio/1.7181786 [26:32] (podcast)
7. Learn more about the international and regional alliances with Iran and Israel:
Hacking Decoded
Before reading (p. 45)
Project the Get Cyber Safe Checkup quiz created by the Government of Canada's Get Cyper Safe campaign found at:
Questions for online exploration (p.43)
1. Learn more about the recent cyberattacks at some of the Canadian businesses, institutions, and organizations mentioned in the article:
a) London Drugs:
b) BMO (Bank of Montreal):
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/audio/1.7171812 [10:11] (podcast)
c) City of Hamilton:
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/audio/1.7138526 [9:26] (This podcast includes an interview with Jayson E. Street, who companies pay to try to hack into their security systems.)
d)Toronto Libraries:
e) RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police):
f) Five Ontario hospitals:
2. Learn why ransomware attacks are increasing and what ransomware hackers do with the data they steal:
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/audio/1.7136692 [7:16] (podcast)
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/cybersecurity-measures-ransomware-attacks-1.6934486
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/ransomware-hackers-data-extort-1.7016157
3. Explore the different strategies that hackers use to access data and ways that you can protect your personal information:
Social Engineering:
Glossary of hack types and protection suggestions:
Two-factor authentication:
4. Visit these sites to learn how to protect your personal information:
a) Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC) :
b) Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity (The Cyber Centre):
c) GetCyberSafe:
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:
- https://youtu.be/q1k8rcYUmbQ [3:48]
How to check if a website is credible:
- https://youtu.be/jt-IZ5M6XU8 [1:39]
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”
Building Bridges | 5 |
Creating learning environments that reflect the First Peoples Principles of Learning (p. 4)
You can learn more about these principles at:
- http://www.fnesc.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/PUB-LFP-POSTER-Principles-of-Learning-First-Peoples-poster-11x17.pdf
- https://firstpeoplesprinciplesoflearning.wordpress.com
Territory Acknowledgement (p. 7)
The following resources may help you write an appropriate Territory Acknowledgement with your class:
1. Find out whose traditional territory your school or community is built on. Use this interactive map of traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples across Canada developed by Native Land to help you:
2. Learn more about the protocols for acknowledging territory by reading the information shared by Native Land at:
3. Look at examples of acknowledgements by various post-secondary institutions across Canada on the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) website at:
Talking Circles (p. 8)
BC First Nations Land, Title and Governance Teacher Resource Guide, First Nations Education Steering Committee and First Nations Schools Association, c. 2019 (p. 20).
The Circle Way:
First Nations Pedagogy Online:
A Trip to the Bank Gone Wrong
Extensions (p.16)
1. Learn more about this story by exploring the following news sources. What additional lessons can we learn about systemic racism and the impact it has on Indigenous Peoples in Canada? What additional lessons can we learn about how systemic racism be countered or eradicated in Canada?
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/maxwell-johnson-granddaughter-human-rights-complaint-vancouver-police-1.6598580
- https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/granddaughters-handcuffing-haunts-heiltsuk-nation-man-even-as-police-settle-rights-case/
- https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/bc-first-nation-family-reaches-settlement-with-bmo-following-wrongful-arrest
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/human-rights-commissioner-report-vpb-vpd-maxwell-johnson-granddaughter-handcuffed-1.7135454
2. The Canadian Museum of Human Rights has created the Teachers’ Guide Pass The Mic: Let’s Talk About Racism to equip teachers and their classes with the tools needed to have important conversations about race. Through video conversations with three diverse Canadians, students are encouraged to consider their relationship with racism, learn how to be anti-racist, and understand what it means to pass the microphone to others. Check out the resource at:
3. To understand more about what systemic racism in Canada looks like, watch this short video by CBC News:
Systemic Racism in Canada
Before Reading (p. 17)
Watch the video “White privilege, systemic racism explained” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZkGWmrIRFU [4:57]
Extensions (pp.25-26)
1. Learn more about Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy by exploring the links found on this Government of Canada webpage:
2. Here are some links that offer suggestions to adults for talking to their children or students about race and racism:
- https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism
- https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2020/09/teaching-talking-kids-about-racism-and-police/616159/
- https://www.pbs.org/education/blog/10-tips-on-talking-to-kids-about-race-and-racism
- https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-racism-an-age-by-age-guide/
3. Use picture books to talk about race. Consider using the metaphor of books as windows, doors, and mirrors to help you select picture books that will: allow students in your class to see themselves reflected in books; offer an opening into worlds, both real and imagined, that go beyond their own experiences where they meet characters different than themselves; and provide a conduit for them to see or experience the world and what it offers. [Visit the website:
4. For a more detailed explanation of the metaphor, book lists, links, and articles.] This PBS.org-blog provides an annotated bibliography of picture books you can use to prompt further conversations on race:
5. Engage your students in discrimination activities to discuss concepts of diversity, power, & privilege. TeenTalk.ca has several resources for educators with activities related to discrimination, appreciating diversity, and taking action. Check out the following links:
6. The website is also a resource for youth with ‘Learn About’ links for Decolonization and Diversity and Discrimination:
7. The Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) published a study in 2022 that looked at Canadians’ perceptions of racism online:
8. Watch the press conference here:
- https://youtu.be/tOjVS2mOsec [0:55].
9. Read more about the challenges the First Ministers had coming to a common understanding of the words ‘racism’ and ‘systemic’, in this National Post article:
10. Listen to the podcast “Colour Code”, Episode 1: Race Card at :
11. Watch Erica Violet Lee’s “Our bodies and lands are not your property” at:
- https://vimeo.com/200241287 [21:16].
12. Invite students to compare the Hon. Ahmed Hussen’s suggestions with the reflections of Ms. Thorne’s (in the article) on how to avoid perpetuating systemic racism:
Culminating Activity: Art Analysis
You can see more of Brianna’s powerful art on her Facebook page at
Culminating Activity: Letter to My Children
Tina calls out to all people to be empathetic. As a class, compose a response to Tina. What kinds of promises can your class make to initiate change on a systemic level? What promises or actions would you like to initiate in your school so that all kids feel safe? Send your letter via email to the editor:
* Tina is the creator of “To My Children: Every Child Matters – Even You”, a video that describes beautifully and powerfully the impact of Residential Schools on her family and the hope she has for her three children, as well as the importance of understanding history, being kind, and having children know they matter. You can preview this video at:
To find out how to purchase rights to show this video to your students, contact Tina at:
The Canadian Reader | 7 |
Alec Bélanger: Extra Awesome
Internet Connections (p.11)
1. Learn more about this news story:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/dalhousie-hockey-player-down-syndrome-volunteer-1.7126648
- https://chl.ca/ohl-frontenacs/article/inspiring-unity-alec-belangers-commitment-to-community-shines-on-at-dalhousie/
2. Interested in the hockey career of Alec Bélanger? Check out these links:
- https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/503267/alec-belanger
- https://youtu.be/92pLdvR7-ck?si=wsIHPaGbs1XVCg9-
3. Find out more about volunteering:
- https://youtu.be/8KxwtJH6NSo?si=XhSu5brVDOdzC0jE
- https://youtu.be/pKRmcj1mJwQ?si=jtpdalWR-6wzIecd
- https://youtu.be/tYmvsrkN8po?si=AWynUPedvfVvd9Ew
4. For teachers:
Social action projects: MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
Asking powerful questions:
Tiny Forests, Big Impact
Internet Connections (pp. 20-21)
1. Learn more about this news story:
- https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/planting-a-network-of-mini-forests-across-canada/
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/tiny-forests-japan-canada-1.7114111
2. Find out more about the National Mini Forest Pilot:
3. Watch a video showing a community getting ready to plant a Miyawaki forest:
4. See pictures of tiny forests being planted across Canada:
5. For teachers:
THIEVES strategy:
Mini Forest training:
Measles Makes a Comeback
Internet Connections (pp. 28-29)
1. Learn more about this news story:
2. Find out about measles:
Videos:
Measles Outbreak: Everything You Need to Know in 90 seconds:
Measles 101: Understanding the most contagious preventable disease | About That:
Poster:
3. Interested in viruses?
What is a virus? – Viruses for children – Science for Kids:
What is a virus? For Kids:
4. For teachers:
Measles-related images:
3D representation of a measle virus:
Photo of a child with measles:
Graph showing measles outbreaks in Canada (scroll to bottom of article):
RAFTS strategy:
Loose parts: