Social Studies · Grade 6

Active learning ideas

Multiculturalism and Integration

Active learning works for this topic because students need to experience the tensions and rewards of multicultural integration firsthand. By engaging in role-plays and debates, they move beyond abstract concepts to confront real-world complexities, fostering empathy and critical thinking.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies Grade 6, Strand B, B3.5: Describe some of the ways in which Canada’s multicultural heritage is reflected in the global community.
• Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies Grade 6, Strand A, A1.2: Describe the contributions of various individuals and groups to the development of identity and heritage in Canada.
• Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies Grade 6, Strand B, B1.1: Analyse Canada’s response to some significant global issues.

• 35–60 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• World Café
• 45 min · Small Groups

Role-Play: Newcomer Journeys

Assign roles as recent immigrants facing challenges like finding work or making friends. Groups act out scenarios, then switch to community helpers offering solutions. Debrief with class discussion on policy supports.

Explain the principles of Canadian multiculturalism as a policy.

Facilitation Tip

During the Role-Play: Newcomer Journeys, assign students roles with clear but conflicting perspectives to deepen their understanding of integration challenges.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are a newcomer arriving in Canada. What are two things that would help you feel welcome and integrated into your new community, and why?' Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to connect their ideas to the principles of multiculturalism.

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

Activity 02

• World Café
• 50 min · Pairs

Debate Carousel: Benefits vs Challenges

Divide class into pro and con teams for statements like 'Multiculturalism strengthens Canada.' Teams rotate stations to argue and respond, recording key points. Conclude with a vote and reflection.

Analyze the benefits and challenges of multiculturalism for immigrant integration.

Facilitation Tip

In the Debate Carousel: Benefits vs Challenges, provide a timer for each speaker to keep discussions focused and equitable.

What to look for

Provide students with a short case study of a fictional immigrant family. Ask them to identify one benefit and one challenge the family might face in integrating into Canadian society, referencing specific aspects of multiculturalism policy.

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

Activity 03

• Jigsaw
• 60 min · Small Groups

Jigsaw: Integration Strategies

Expert groups research one strategy, such as school orientation programs or festivals. Regroup to teach peers and co-create a class action plan poster. Present to school community.

Design strategies to foster successful integration of newcomers into Canadian society.

Facilitation Tip

For the Jigsaw: Integration Strategies, assign each group a different case study to ensure varied perspectives are shared in the final strategy presentation.

What to look for

On an index card, students write one strategy they would propose to help newcomers integrate successfully. They should also write one sentence explaining why this strategy is important for fostering a multicultural society.

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

Activity 04

• Gallery Walk
• 35 min · Individual

Gallery Walk: Policy Principles

Post principles on stations with scenarios. Students add sticky notes with examples or challenges, then tour and discuss. Vote on most effective principle for integration.

Explain the principles of Canadian multiculturalism as a policy.

Facilitation Tip

During the Gallery Walk: Policy Principles, post guiding questions at each station to prompt students to compare and contrast the principles visually.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are a newcomer arriving in Canada. What are two things that would help you feel welcome and integrated into your new community, and why?' Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to connect their ideas to the principles of multiculturalism.

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

A few notes on teaching this unit

Experienced teachers start by grounding lessons in students’ lived experiences, using narratives to humanize policy discussions. They avoid oversimplifying integration as a one-sided process and instead highlight mutual responsibility. Research suggests that structured peer interaction, like jigsaws and debates, builds both content knowledge and social skills, while gallery walks help visual learners connect abstract principles to concrete examples.

Successful learning looks like students recognizing the balance between preserving cultural heritage and participating in Canadian society. They should articulate benefits and challenges of multiculturalism, propose inclusive strategies, and reflect on the policy’s principles in their own words.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Role-Play: Newcomer Journeys, watch for students assuming newcomers do not need to learn English or follow laws.

  Use the role-play scripts to explicitly include scenarios where newcomers must navigate legal processes and language classes, prompting students to reflect on why these are necessary for participation.

• During Jigsaw: Integration Strategies, watch for students believing integration requires giving up cultural identity completely.

  Have groups present strategies that explicitly support dual identities, such as language classes in heritage languages or cultural festivals that blend traditions, to demonstrate inclusive practices.

• During Gallery Walk: Policy Principles, watch for students assuming Canada has always been multicultural.

  Include a timeline station with key policy milestones and student-generated questions to prompt discussion about how past policies shape current integration efforts.

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Methods used in this brief

• World Café
• Jigsaw
• Gallery Walk