Social Studies

This series of classroom resources supports students in thinking critically about the operations and policies of various levels of government. The materials focus on four topics: cultural diversity and equity, aboriginal rights, federal provincial powe …

This lesson allows students to explore the concept of civic participation in the creation of Canadian laws through a study of the consultation process found in the Canada Gazette. Students will create their own School Gazette by proposing and discussin …

In these lessons, secondary and middle school students learn about and discuss the legal aspects of cyberbullying. They review a variety of hypothetical scenarios and a case study, and consider the seriousness of the situations, who is legally responsi …

The lesson studies the life, trial, and execution of Joan of Arc, and examines their relation to current legal processes, demonstrating changing notions of law and how legal categories of right and wrong (as well as broader public perceptions) change o …

This resource was designed to address the learning outcomes of the “Life sciences: Sustainability of Ecosystems” component of the British Columbia Science 10 Integrated Resource Package. It can be used specifically for the learning outcomes B2, “assess …

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights offers this free, online curriculum called Speak Truth To Power. The curriculum introduces general human rights issues and is based in part on the biographies of human rights defenders around th …

Classroom Connections is a non-profit organization dedicated to initiating positive societal change by producing progressive educational resources for Canada’s youth. Its award-winning resources are ready-to-use, curriculum-aligned and innovative in co …

This site contains the electronic copy of the booklet, “The Fundamentals Of Our Fundamental Freedoms” as well as information about the CCLA’s schools program.

Youthlaw.ca is a website of the Children’s Legal and Educational Resource Centre (CLERC). CLERC offers legal advice, information, referrals and services to children and youth.The Legal Topics section of their website offers answers to some common quest …

Answers to over 1,000 Frequently Asked Questions about the law in Canada and Alberta. See our age-related FAQs on “How old do I have to be? covering topics such as: General Questions Questions about Activities Financial and Legal Criminal Family Health …

To complement the national tour of Magna Carta, the Education Committee of Magna Carta Canada has released a new resource guide for teachers hoping to integrate the Great Charter into their social science and Indigenous studies courses. The resource fe …

This resource provides background information for teachers and activities on human rights, the Charter, discrimination, bullying and harassment and applicable laws, suitable for secondary school students (Grades 7 to 12).  It may be used with The Respe …

The Centre for Constitutional Studies has a variety of articles that can be used as background information. The content can be used as supplementary readings or as a research source for student projects. All of the articles are written in accessible pl …

In this activity students will learn about the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) decision that HIV carriers with a low viral load, wearing condoms do not have to disclose their HIV status to sex partners. Students will reflect on this ruling and examine th …

Students will think critically while investigating a variety of web-based resources on both sides of the abortion debate. This lesson includes recommendations  for sources available in the CBC digital archives. This lesson correlates with Dr. Henry Mor …

Students will research and debate the use of the notwithstanding clause in the Canadian charter. Students will support or criticize the use of the notwithstanding clause to allow federal or provincial governments to pass a law that violates the freedom …

Students will create a chronology of the events, key terms, and concepts related to Canada’s constitutional history between the late 1960s to 1982. This lesson includes recommendations  for sources available in the CBC digital archives.

In this webquest students will use a variety or internet resources to explore the positive and negative effects of free trade agreements on Canada. Student’s will study impacts on Canada’s economy and society and present their findings to their class. …

Students will gain an understanding of the process of framing a constitution by developing a constitution for their classroom. In small groups students will look at how rules are decided and changed, how leaders are chosen, powers and responsibilities …

Make a Better City (MBC) is an integrated project for teaching about citizenship, responsibility and community for Alberta Grade 6 Social Studies, Health & Life Skills, Language Arts and Mathematics. Teachers explore and research with students what …

Pro Bono Law Alberta and the Alberta Branch of the Canadian Bar Association have produced a video explaining what to expect in court. This video offers tips and information that would be a helpful to students preparing for a mock trial. Additional vide …

“As soon as children can say, “That’s Not Fair!” they are ready to talk about their rights and freedoms.” This website features videos, games, and lesson plans to teach students between the ages of 7 and 11 about democracy. The website features six dif …

Be Web Aware is a website by Media Smarts for parents and teachers. The website feature tips for a wide range of age groups and covers topics including cyber-bullying, excessive internet use, sexual risk and harm, privacy, marketing aimed at children, …

January 28, 2008 was the 20th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark decision to legalize medical abortion in Canada. Dr. Morgantaler and two colleagues were charged in Ontario with performing legal abortions. When this case was put to t …

Frank, an 18 year old Aboriginal student breaks into a local grocery story and attacks  the owner leaving him with a broken arm and facial scars.  Research is done into Frank’s present situation as well as the  family background. There are discussion q …

This online video resource (which can be ordered for free) contains footage of some high school students being arrested under the “Youth Gathering Act”, a fictitious law which is used to demonstrate the concepts such as rule of law and how our judicial …

In this mock trial, a student on the school basketball team slips on a puddle of water left on the gymnasium floor. His injuries cause him to lose his basketball scholarship , as well as his job. The student sued Ketkluane High School for negligence fo …

This site discusses a variety of landmark decisions from the Law Courts of Canada. They include issues dealing with Aboriginal Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to name a few. Each case is explained in detail using plain language a …

This activity will help students taking CTS: Legal Studies (1020) to describe the relationship between rights and responsibilities; explore sources of protection of rights and freedoms; and discuss methods of protecting rights and responsibilities Grad …

This lesson is designed to introduce students in CTS Legal Studies to the Canadian judicial system, how it works, and the various ways in which students may be required to participate in the judicial system at some point in their lives. Students will w …

This interactive site offers students the opportunity to view and listen to 5 scenarios where the law has been broken. Students are required to make decisions based upon judicial principles, research, and the evidence; a “meter of justice” will tell st …

The Supreme Court of Canada has created an education kit for those who do not live in or near Ottawa. It contains factual information, a mock trial with suggestions for implementation and activity sheets such as crossword puzzles and word searches.

This website highlights the role women played in the development of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The site streams a documentary on the topic as well as offering a study guide and other educational materials.

This curricular resource, an 18 page PDF document, is applicable to students studying the rights of children and youth around the world. The objective of this resource is to educate others on the rights of children, the role of the Canadian Coalition f …

The development, roles, benefits and organization of unions is the topic of this website designed for high school students. It contains six lessons on unions that can be used individually or in sequence. The activities for students include small group …

This package of resources and articles was designed to introduce students to the major legal questions which must be considered when starting a small business. The information was designed to complement Legal Studies module 3050: Law and Small Business …

This lesson is applicable as an extension to students studying governance models in social studies and involves student understanding of governance in non-profit organizations. The lesson involves students adopting or creating a governance model for st …

This inquiry based activity focuses on charities and non-profit organizations. The content specifically addresses outcome S6 in Social Studies 10, 20 and 30. Based on a fundamental assumption that students should be involved in decision-making, this re …

This site provides training for navigation through the site as well as guide students through the important aspects of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. There are 10 modules that give information as well as scenarios that reflect the topics presented. Ea …

This interactive website allows students to submit the reasons they vote, or will one day vote, through social media like Facebook and Twitter.

The target audience is for youth of voting age but there are also resources for teachers with students below voting age. You can find plenty of facts about the democratic process on the Apathy is Boring website, like a list of all of Canada’s political …

You can set up your own mock trial with some tips from the Supreme Court of Canada.  An introduction focuses on how to set up a mock trial, a scenario is created that relates to students, and suggested questions are offered to the defence, crown and ju …

This resource teaches young people about privacy. The content focuses technology and privacy. There are contests, quizzes, links, activities, and presentation materials for teachers. There is a section to blog and ask questions.

This resource provides excellent teacher background on the structure of the Canadian court system. It tells about the many kinds of courts there are in Canada and includes the organization, purpose and function of each court. Some examples of courts in …

A comprehensive booklet resources for encouraging active engagement with the government, legal system, and civil society. Over 50 original classroom activities! These resources were created by the Education Society of BC. The learning materials have be …

Teachers can register their school for the Student Vote election program. Student Vote was created to engage young Canadians in the democratic process. It is open to all elementary, middle, and secondary schools and there is no cost to participate. Reg …

There are specific rights and responsibilities for people who live in Canada in regards to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. There are even more responsibilities when you become a Canadian citizen. On this site these facts are clearly outlined and mo …

Stephen Harper’s minority government was in trouble in December 2008.  The opposition parties were talking about banding together to defeat his government. This article examines the history of prorogation and how the different situations can be resolve …

This site provides general information for youth following an arrest. It gives answers to frequently asked questions and offers specific details regarding youth sentencing, records and pardons. It also gives the Youth Criminal Justice Act website if yo …

Students will investigate the influence that the media and lobby groups have on our government’s decision making. Using recent case studies, such as the Friends of CBC to increase funding or Greenpeace to promote environmental issues or lobbying by the …

The website Setting the Agenda gives students the opportunity to spend one typical day with either a Senator or a Member of Parliament. Students have the chance to plan their day the way the Senator or MP would taking into account the many meetings and …

In this lesson plan the student completes research to find information about the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Government of Canada.   They are encouraged to research not only print material but conduct interviews with people who …

This resource created by the Parliament of Canada offers detailed background for teachers focusing on a variety of topics that support the Grade 9 Social Studies curriculum. There are ready made classroom materials that use the newspaper to enhance out …

This site offers a general overview of Canadian parliament. It gives the facts on how laws are passed, the various branches of government and how the House of Commons and the Senate operates. When you click on words underlined in blue, a new window ope …

This well organized and detailed simulation of the work that takes place in Parliament will help students clearly understand the daily life of a Member of Parliament or a Senator.   Teachers can choose from the various options provided which activities …

The Justice Education Society of British Columbia has updated their website to include support for many curriculum areas. A number of the resources on this site can be purchased for a nominal fee and used effectively in the classroom. Resources include …

There are many things that need to be considered before applying for permanent residency in Canada.  This website gives the name of the different categories you can apply to as well as the necessary forms to complete and send in with your application. …

This lesson plan is designed to focus on the emerging issues of immigration in Canada. The tasks involve research, organizing the information in a chart and making a judgement on the effect of immigration not only on Canada but on the country of origin …

This teacher resource provides activities that first draw on the student’s experiences of school rules and then moves to a broader focus of the criminal code. The students then move to the ways that we as citizens participate in the justice system and …

Background on the Elizabeth Fry Society is available through this link.  You will learn a bit about Elizabeth Fry’s life and her strong belief in equality rights for women. She believed that women should not be incarcerated and if they are, then integr …

This site houses an online community that connects youth from grades nine to twelve  to find inspiration, access information, get involved, and take action in their local and global communities. Designed and maintained in Canada, this site is the world …

This teacher resource offers background information on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. All aspects of the Charter are reviewed in plain language in both English and French. Each overview provides information and focus questions for before …

This website from the City of Edmonton provides a variety of resources available to help students learn more about how the city works. They include some City of Edmonton-developed resources that allow students to learn, for example, ways to make one’s  …

This site specifically addresses the role and responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. These include attending constitutional functions, giving royal assent to any bills passed in the legislature, performing certain rituals when the legi …

All of their educational resources are developed to supplement John Humphrey Centre projects.  The resources are designed for teachers to incorporate human rights lessons into the classroom, workplace or community. Some of their resources include: Comb …

Human rights is the focus of this downloadable 136 page PDF document that provides excellent background for teachers as well as a variety of activities for students in Social Studies and CTS: Legal Studies.    All lessons use the newspaper as a tool to …

This is a service in which justice professionals come out to schools and talk about law related topics that focus on the outcomes from the Alberta Social Studies Curriculum. Speakers are  available to talk about many justice-related topics and areas of …

This lesson has been designed to help dispel some of the myths and misconceptions Grade 6 students may have about the Canadian judicial process and Canadian courtrooms. The lesson should take about 1 hour and will help students acknowledge their pre-ex …

Builidng Future Voters is a free teacher resource from Elections Alberta that teaches students about citizen participation, elections and democracy.  Each lesson is directly linked to the Alberta social studies curriculum  and provides for use of the i …

Creating a class charter of rights helps students understand how the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms can put into a practical application. There is a distinction between rights and privileges that will become clear as students work through this …

This activity provides the opportunity for students to connect symbolism and collective identity not only at the present time in Canada but also many years ago in the Iroquois Confederacy. Through the study of the Wampum Belt, students will then create …

This virtual tour has students choose a character and create an identity. The character then takes a virtual tour of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. This activity is designed primarily for those classes who cannot come for a real life visit to Edm …

This creative activity has students research the responsibilities of an MLA and then design a business card that reflects the information they found. Short question and answer videos with 3 different party MLAs are included and provide background infor …

This site explains the process by which bylaws are made as well as lists all the bylaws that are currently enforced in Edmonton. It also explains the consequences if you choose not to follow any particular bylaw. The Municipal Government Act gives auth …

The Alberta Grade 6 Social Studies program of studies focuses on citizenship, identity and democratic processes of decision-making within our society. Students explore ways to participate in democratic processes, be involved in their communities and de …

Created to reflect outcomes of grade six social studies, this 228 page resource enhances the study of local government. The resource includes activities based on inquiry, critical thinking, and citizenship. Available in PDF format. The Building Communi …

This teacher directed lesson begins with students having a clear understanding of the word accountability. A specific scenario has been chosen but a different one unique to your community would also work to help students determine criteria to show acco …

Charter Challenges for Grade Six is designed as a teaching and learning resource for grade six students. Students are offered the choice of visiting either the fictional animal land of Adinak or the alien planet of Beebonk.   The stories explore f …

Two recent decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada focus on section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure. One case takes place at a high school, the other at a C …

This guide is divided into 5 sections with many subsections that deal with the structure and the function of Alberta’s provincial government. It is a large document that is well organized and written at an easy to read level. It includes a glossary and …

These FAQs are part of the Municipal Government for Students program created for Grade 6 Social Studies students. These FAQs deal with questions about municipalities, people in municipal governments and how you can get involved.

This is a dynamic website created to connect to the Alberta grades four to seven social studies curriculum. The ideas for student activities follow a project-based and inquiry-based learning approach and are multidisciplinary in nature. Alberta’s histo …

This interactive website assists teachers and students as they examine Alberta’s cultural diversity and is designed to enhance curricular outcomes at the grades three to six level. The settlement theme has curriculum tie-ins to history, national identi …

Education is our Buffalo is a teacher resource that covers the following topics:  an historical time line of important Aboriginal events, spiritualiy and teaching, cultural traditions and education development through time. Personal articles written by …

This kit has a huge number of book, media and website resources that link directly to the Alberta curriculum. Each entry states the specific outcomes in Social Studies, Language Arts and /or Health that match the resource. There is also a summary of ea …

Designed as an interactive on-line game, this site allows primary students to explore communities within the framework of citizenship and identity. Students are asked to create a hero, complete a mission, and join the League of Super Heroes. When explo …

This interactive website with stories and activities written at a grade three level provides an introduction to the justice system and its participants. The activities demonstrate how  peace is attained through people and groups within a community work …

The Law Topics section of The Children’s Legal & Educational Resource Centre (CLERC), a non-profit organization based in Calgary, provides legal advice, education, and referals to youth. Topics covered include: Adoption Independant Living Guardians …

This billingual website offers information, games, lesson plans, and comics regarding a wide range of legal topics. Some of the topics explored on the website include the vocabulary of law, the Canadian Supreme Court, careers in law, and civil and crim …

Canadian Legal FAQs answers Frequently Asked Questions about the Law in Canada and Alberta. This website is an excellent research tool for students. All of the answers are written in accessible plain language and covers a wide range of topics.

This activity helps students understand what mediation is by having them engage in the actual process. Students work in groups and follow a step-by-step mediation outline to resolve a conflict. By the end of the lesson students should be able to analyz …

MediaSmarts is a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization for digital and media literacy. Their website features a wealth of classroom resources for youth to develop critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital ci …

This website includes information on the Iroquois Confederacy that covers many of the curricular outcomes laid out by Alberta Education. The teacher background section has detailed information regarding the structure of the Confederacy, the role and st …

This inquiry based project is designed to guide students in grades 9-12 through an exploration of environmental issues, the law, and their relation to youth. It is applicable to Social Studies, Science, or CTS: Legal Studies curriculum. Over the course …

In this activity students will develop a sustainability plan for a fictional city. Students will assume the role of city councillors. After completing the assignment, students will meet as the city council and will present their ideas. Together they wi …

Alberta Tomorrow is an educational tool that uses technology to teach about sustainability. Student’s can simulate the future effects of human activities on Alberta’s resource production, wildlife habitat, and ecosystems. The website states that Albert …

LawLessons.ca was created by the Justice Education Society of BC to host their resources in one easy to navigate location. This website offers lesson plans, unit plans, court education, teacher training, and other law related classroom resources.

The Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN) has extensive mock trial resources for teachers in both English and French. OJEN has mock trial role preparation packages for both civil and criminal law. They also have a wide variety of cases and materials …

In this issue of The PLEA we look at how teachers and students can use mock trials in the classroom and what students can gain from them. From the teacher’s point of view, the appeal of the mock trial is that it teaches about the justice system while e …