Social Studies · Grade 6

Active learning ideas

Global Migration Trends and Canada

Active learning works well for this topic because students need to visualize complex human movements and internalize the human stories behind data. Mapping, debating, and comparing policies turn abstract statistics into tangible understanding, helping students see migration not just as lines on a map but as decisions that shape lives and nations.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies Grade 6, Strand B, B1.1: Analyse Canada’s response to some significant global issues (e.g., the refugee crisis).
• Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies Grade 6, Strand B, B2: Use the social studies inquiry process to investigate some of the social and environmental issues facing the global community and Canada’s role in addressing them.
• Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies Grade 6, Strand B, B1: Analyse some of Canada’s responses to major global issues and events, and how these responses have affected Canada’s relationship with other countries.

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

Activity 01

• Jigsaw
• 45 min · Small Groups

Mapping Activity: Migration Flows

Provide world maps and recent UNHCR data on top migration routes. In small groups, students plot arrows for flows to Canada, label push and pull factors with markers, and calculate percentages. Groups share one key route with the class via a gallery walk.

Analyze the major global migration trends influencing Canada.

Facilitation Tip

During the Mapping Activity, circulate and ask students to trace one migration route with their finger while explaining the push and pull factors aloud to a partner.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are advising the Canadian government. Based on current global migration trends, what are the top two challenges and the top two opportunities Canada might face in the next decade?' Students should support their answers with specific examples discussed in class.

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

Activity 02

• Jigsaw
• 50 min · Pairs

Jigsaw: Policy Comparisons

Assign pairs to research Canada's system versus one other nation like the U.S. or U.K. Pairs create comparison charts on criteria such as points, quotas, and refugees. Regroup into mixed expert teams to teach and discuss strengths and weaknesses.

Compare Canada's immigration policies with those of other developed nations.

Facilitation Tip

For the Jigsaw Policy Comparisons, assign each group a different country’s criteria and have them present findings on poster paper with a clear pros/cons section.

What to look for

Provide students with a world map. Ask them to label three countries experiencing significant outward migration and two countries that are major destinations for migrants. For each labeled country, they should write one sentence explaining a key push or pull factor.

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

Activity 03

• Simulation Game
• 40 min · Small Groups

Simulation Game: Future Impacts Debate

Divide the class into roles like policymakers, newcomers, and service providers. Present scenarios of doubled migration rates. Groups prepare arguments on economic, social, and cultural effects, then debate in a moderated town hall format.

Predict the long-term implications of global migration on Canadian society.

Facilitation Tip

In the Simulation, assign roles in advance and provide conflict cards with real scenarios to ground the debate in tangible examples.

What to look for

On an index card, students write: 1) One global migration trend they learned about today. 2) One way this trend might affect life in Canada. 3) One question they still have about the topic.

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

Activity 04

• Jigsaw
• 35 min · Individual

Data Graphing: Trends Over Time

Students receive Statistics Canada datasets on immigrant sources from 2000-2023. Individually graph changes, note shifts like rising Asian inflows, and predict next decade trends. Share graphs in a whole-class data wall discussion.

Analyze the major global migration trends influencing Canada.

Facilitation Tip

For Data Graphing, model how to read axes aloud with one data set before letting students work in pairs to identify trends.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are advising the Canadian government. Based on current global migration trends, what are the top two challenges and the top two opportunities Canada might face in the next decade?' Students should support their answers with specific examples discussed in class.

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

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers often start with a real refugee story or news clip to humanize the data before moving to maps or policies. Avoid overwhelming students with too many data points at once; instead, focus on a few key case studies that reveal the breadth of migration drivers. Research shows that role-play and peer teaching deepen understanding of policy nuances far more than lectures alone.

Successful learning looks like students confidently explaining migration flows using real data and case studies, comparing policies with evidence, and debating impacts from multiple perspectives. They should move beyond stereotypes to articulate nuanced connections between global trends and Canada’s role as a destination country.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Mapping Activity: Migration Flows, watch for students assuming all migration is economic.

  Use the mapping activity’s case study cards to prompt students to categorize each route by driver—war, poverty, environment—before plotting, ensuring they see the full spectrum of push factors.

• During Jigsaw: Policy Comparisons, watch for students oversimplifying Canada’s policy as 'most open'.

  Have groups compare criteria directly by filling a Venn diagram with features like skills points, family ties, and refugee quotas, highlighting where Canada’s system is selective rather than open.

• During Simulation: Future Impacts Debate, watch for students claiming migration has only positive effects.

  Use the debate’s evidence cards to require students to cite one economic gain and one social challenge for each role they defend, balancing perspectives with concrete examples.

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Methods used in this brief

• Jigsaw
• Simulation Game