Canadian Studies · Grade 10

Active learning ideas

Canada in the 21st Century

Active learning helps students grasp the fluid nature of Canadian identity by engaging them in real-world tasks that require critical thinking and collaboration. When students analyze values, debate perspectives, and design exhibits, they move beyond abstract ideas to concrete understanding of how identity evolves in the 21st century.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• ON: Canada since 1982 - Grade 10
• ON: Identity, Citizenship, and Heritage - Grade 10

• 25–50 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Inquiry Circle
• 45 min · Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The 'Canadian Values' Survey

In small groups, students design and conduct a short survey (within the class or school) on what people think are the most important 'Canadian values.' They analyze the results and discuss whether there is a consensus or a wide range of opinions.

Analyze whether a single Canadian identity exists or if it is inherently pluralistic.

Facilitation Tip

During the 'Canadian Values' Survey, circulate the room to listen for groups that struggle to articulate their values, offering guiding questions like, 'What does fairness look like in your community?'

What to look for

Facilitate a class debate using the prompt: 'Resolved: A singular Canadian identity is an unattainable myth in the 21st century.' Ask students to cite specific examples of cultural trends or societal shifts to support their arguments.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Think-Pair-Share
• 25 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Identity in a Digital World

Students discuss with a partner how the internet and social media have changed their own sense of identity and their connection to Canada. They consider whether they feel more like 'global citizens' or 'Canadians' in the digital age.

Explain how globalization and technology are reshaping Canadian identity.

Facilitation Tip

For the Think-Pair-Share on digital identity, model an example response first to clarify expectations for depth and specificity.

What to look for

On a half-sheet of paper, have students answer: 'Identify one way technology has changed how you perceive Canadian identity, and propose one value you believe is essential for Canada's future.'

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• Simulation Game
• 50 min · Small Groups

Simulation Game: Designing a 'Future Canada' Exhibit

Students work in small groups to propose an exhibit for a national museum that represents Canada in the year 2050. They must decide which stories, symbols, and values should be featured to reflect the country's future identity.

Design a vision for the values and ideals that should define Canada in the future.

Facilitation Tip

In the 'Future Canada' Exhibit simulation, provide a checklist of required elements to keep groups on track and focused on the task's complexity.

What to look for

Present students with three short contemporary news headlines related to Canadian culture or social issues. Ask them to select one headline and write two sentences explaining how it reflects the evolving nature of Canadian identity.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Decision-Making

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers should approach this topic by balancing factual content with open-ended inquiry, avoiding a lecture-style delivery that frames identity as static. Use contemporary examples—current news stories, student experiences, or local cultural events—to ground discussions in lived reality. Research shows that when students see themselves as co-creators of national narratives, engagement and retention increase significantly. Avoid framing Canadian identity as a fixed checklist; instead, emphasize its contested and evolving nature.

Successful learning looks like students who can articulate the diversity of Canadian values while recognizing shared ideals. They should demonstrate the ability to connect historical and contemporary examples to the ongoing construction of identity. Clear evidence includes thoughtful discussions, well-reasoned arguments, and creative solutions that reflect an evolving national narrative.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the 'Canadian Values' Survey, watch for students who assume identity is fixed in the past.

  Use the survey results to prompt a discussion about how values shift over generations, asking students to compare their responses to those of older family members or historical figures.

• During the 'Values Spectrum' analysis in the Think-Pair-Share activity, watch for students who assume all Canadians share the same values.

  Have students map their responses on a large classroom 'Values Spectrum' chart, then facilitate a discussion about the diversity of interpretations within the same values.

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Methods used in this brief

• Inquiry Circle
• Think-Pair-Share
• Simulation Game