Global Food Security and Canada's Role
Students examine Canada's contributions to global food security through agriculture, aid, and policy.
Key Questions
- Analyze Canada's capacity to contribute to global food security.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of Canadian initiatives in addressing food insecurity abroad.
- Design a policy recommendation for Canada to enhance global food access.
Ontario Curriculum Expectations
About This Topic
The 'Fathers of Confederation' were the politicians who represented the British North American colonies at the Charlottetown, Quebec, and London Conferences. Key figures like John A. Macdonald, George-Étienne Cartier, and George Brown had to overcome deep personal and political rivalries to create a plan for a new nation. Their work involved intense debate and significant compromises, particularly regarding the balance of power between the federal and provincial governments.
It is equally important for students to recognize whose voices were absent from these negotiations. Indigenous peoples, women, and racialized communities were not invited to the table, and their rights and interests were largely ignored in the resulting agreements. Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation as they critique the inclusivity of the Confederation process.
Active Learning Ideas
Role Play: The Quebec Conference
Students are assigned roles as specific Fathers of Confederation. They must debate one of the '72 Resolutions,' such as how many representatives each province should have in the new government.
Gallery Walk: The Missing Voices
The teacher displays profiles of Indigenous leaders, women's rights advocates, and Black community leaders from the 1860s. Students walk through and write down what these people might have said if they had been at the conferences.
Think-Pair-Share: The Great Compromise
Students learn about the deal between Macdonald (who wanted a strong central government) and Cartier (who wanted to protect provincial rights). They discuss with a partner why both sides had to give something up.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionThe Fathers of Confederation all agreed on what Canada should look like.
What to Teach Instead
They had very different visions and often disliked each other. Reading excerpts from their private letters or newspaper editorials of the time helps students see the human tension behind the political process.
Common MisconceptionJohn A. Macdonald was the only person who created Canada.
What to Teach Instead
While he was a key leader, Confederation was a collective effort involving dozens of people and multiple colonies. A 'biography match' activity can introduce students to the diverse roles played by other figures like Cartier and Tupper.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Fathers of Confederation?
What role did George-Étienne Cartier play?
Were there any 'Mothers of Confederation'?
What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching about the Confederation debates?
Planning templates for Social Studies
5E Model
The 5E Model structures lessons through five phases (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate), guiding students from curiosity to deep understanding through inquiry-based learning.
unit plannerThematic Unit
Organize a multi-week unit around a central theme or essential question that cuts across topics, texts, and disciplines, helping students see connections and build deeper understanding.
rubricSingle-Point Rubric
Build a single-point rubric that defines only the "meets standard" level, leaving space for teachers to document what exceeded and what fell short. Simple to create, easy for students to understand.
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