Canadian Studies · Grade 9

Active learning ideas

Canada and the United Nations

Active learning works for this topic because students need to confront Canada’s evolving global role in real time. Debates, simulations, and mapping activities push them to analyze primary data, debate perspectives, and connect historical moments to current policies.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• Ontario Curriculum CGC1D/1P: B3.3. Analyse responses to the impact of natural events from various governments and international organizations.
• Ontario Curriculum CGC1D/1P: C3.4. Analyse the impact of a specific resource-based industry on Canada’s international relationships.
• Ontario Curriculum CGC1D/1P: C2.3. Describe some key initiatives and practices associated with resource stewardship in Canada.

• 35–50 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Simulation Game
• 50 min · Small Groups

Mock UN Debate: Peacekeeping Resolution

Divide class into delegations representing Canada, allies, and critics. Provide sources on current missions; groups draft positions and debate a resolution on Canada's role. Conclude with a vote and reflection on influences.

Evaluate whether Canada still embodies its historical identity as a 'peacekeeping nation' in the modern era.

Facilitation Tip

For the Mock UN Debate, assign roles with clear instructions so students focus on research and persuasion, not just speaking time.

What to look for

Facilitate a class debate using the prompt: 'Has Canada's identity as a 'peacekeeping nation' evolved or diminished in the 21st century?' Students should use specific examples of past and present UN involvement to support their arguments.

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

Activity 02

• Gallery Walk
• 45 min · Small Groups

SDG Mapping Gallery Walk

Assign each group 2-3 SDGs; they research Canadian policies and create posters with evidence. Groups rotate to analyze and add sticky notes with local examples. Discuss overlaps as a class.

Analyze how the UN Sustainable Development Goals are relevant and applicable to Canada's domestic policies.

Facilitation Tip

During the SDG Mapping Gallery Walk, provide blank maps for students to annotate as they move, ensuring active engagement with each station.

What to look for

Provide students with a list of 3-5 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Ask them to select two and write one paragraph for each, explaining how a current Canadian federal policy (e.g., carbon tax, affordable housing initiatives) addresses that specific SDG.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Activity 03

• Jigsaw
• 40 min · Small Groups

Jigsaw: Canada's UN Milestones

Cut expert group timelines into segments on history, peacekeeping, SDGs. Groups teach their piece to home groups, then reconstruct full timelines collaboratively. Share key insights whole class.

Assess Canada's current level of influence and impact on the global stage through its UN engagement.

Facilitation Tip

In the Timeline Jigsaw, pair students to cross-check dates and events before presenting, reinforcing accuracy through peer verification.

What to look for

On an index card, have students write one sentence summarizing Canada's historical role in UN peacekeeping and one sentence describing a current way Canada engages with the UN, referencing either SDGs or global initiatives.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 04

• Simulation Game
• 35 min · Pairs

Influence Tracker: UN Voting Simulation

Students vote on mock resolutions using real Canadian positions. Track alliances and outcomes on a shared chart, then analyze patterns in influence.

Evaluate whether Canada still embodies its historical identity as a 'peacekeeping nation' in the modern era.

Facilitation Tip

Set clear time limits for the Influence Tracker simulation to prevent discussions from losing focus on the voting mechanics.

What to look for

Facilitate a class debate using the prompt: 'Has Canada's identity as a 'peacekeeping nation' evolved or diminished in the 21st century?' Students should use specific examples of past and present UN involvement to support their arguments.

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

A few notes on teaching this unit

Experienced teachers approach this topic by framing Canada’s UN engagement as an evolving narrative, not a fixed identity. Use primary sources from Pearson’s Suez speech or UN reports to ground discussions in evidence. Avoid oversimplifying Canada’s role; instead, guide students to weigh contributions against ongoing challenges like inequality or climate policy.

Successful learning looks like students using evidence to challenge assumptions about Canada’s UN role. They articulate specific examples, compare historical and modern contributions, and evaluate gaps in progress toward SDGs.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the Mock UN Debate, watch for students claiming Canada invented peacekeeping or always leads it.

  Redirect by asking students to reference Canada’s current troop contributions data from the UN Peacekeeping website during their arguments, prompting them to cite evidence instead of assumptions.

• During the SDG Mapping Gallery Walk, watch for students assuming UN work only involves military peacekeeping.

  Have students identify non-military agencies like UNICEF or UNHCR on their maps and explain the agency’s specific SDG focus, such as child welfare or refugee rights.

• During the Influence Tracker simulation, watch for students believing wealthy countries like Canada have met all SDGs already.

  Provide real-time UN SDG progress data for Canada during the simulation and ask students to mark gaps, such as indigenous housing or climate targets, before voting on priorities.

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Methods used in this brief

• Simulation Game
• Gallery Walk
• Jigsaw