Activity Overview
Canada Day is Canada's "birthday". In this activity, students will create a spider map that highlights important facts about Canada Day. By using a 5Ws graphic organizer, students can easily answer questions like who, what, when, where, and why. In this case, students may also answer the question "how?"
- What is Canada Day?
- When is it celebrated?
- Where is it observed?
- Why was Canada Day created?
- How do people celebrate Canada Day?
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a Spider Map highlighting important facts about Canada Day.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- For each cell, answer the question with a 1-3 sentence description.
- Create an illustration that represents each answer using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Answers to 5 questions about Canada Day as well as appropriate illustrations for each.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 10 Points | Emerging 6 Points | Needs Improvement 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The description is detailed and accurately answers the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How; clearly demonstrating student's thorough understanding. | The description is somewhat detailed and mostly answers the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How; demonstrating student's basic understanding. | The description is incomplete and does not answer the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are appropriate to the topic. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
Canada Day is Canada's "birthday". In this activity, students will create a spider map that highlights important facts about Canada Day. By using a 5Ws graphic organizer, students can easily answer questions like who, what, when, where, and why. In this case, students may also answer the question "how?"
- What is Canada Day?
- When is it celebrated?
- Where is it observed?
- Why was Canada Day created?
- How do people celebrate Canada Day?
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a Spider Map highlighting important facts about Canada Day.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- For each cell, answer the question with a 1-3 sentence description.
- Create an illustration that represents each answer using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Answers to 5 questions about Canada Day as well as appropriate illustrations for each.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 10 Points | Emerging 6 Points | Needs Improvement 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The description is detailed and accurately answers the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How; clearly demonstrating student's thorough understanding. | The description is somewhat detailed and mostly answers the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How; demonstrating student's basic understanding. | The description is incomplete and does not answer the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are appropriate to the topic. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
How Tos about What is Canada Day?
How to Host a Canada Day Classroom Celebration
Engage your students by bringing Canada Day to life with a festive classroom event. A celebration helps students connect with the holiday in a memorable way, deepening their understanding while fostering classroom community.
Decorate the classroom with Canadian symbols
Hang red and white streamers, display Canadian flags, and create posters of national symbols. This immerses students in the spirit of the holiday and sets the tone for your activities.
Incorporate Canadian music and videos
Play Canadian folk songs or show short videos about Canada Day. This introduces students to the country’s culture and gives context to the holiday’s significance.
Plan a collaborative craft or art project
Have students create maple leaf crafts or design their own Canada Day posters. Art activities encourage creativity and reinforce key facts about the holiday.
Organize a Canada Day trivia game
Split the class into teams and ask questions about Canada Day and Canadian history. Trivia games make learning interactive and help students retain information.
Invite students to share family traditions
Encourage students to talk about how they celebrate or what they know about Canada Day. Sharing personal experiences builds community and values diversity in classroom celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions about What is Canada Day?
What is Canada Day and why is it celebrated?
Canada Day marks the anniversary of the formation of Canada as a country on July 1, 1867. It is celebrated to honor the unification of the original provinces and recognize Canada’s nationhood.
When and where is Canada Day observed?
Canada Day is observed every year on July 1 across all provinces and territories in Canada. Festivities and events take place nationwide.
How do people celebrate Canada Day in schools?
Schools often celebrate Canada Day with activities like creating spider maps, organizing assemblies, arts and crafts, and learning about Canadian history.
What is a 5Ws graphic organizer and how can it help students learn about Canada Day?
A 5Ws graphic organizer helps students answer who, what, when, where, and why about Canada Day, making it easier to organize and understand key facts.
What are some quick lesson ideas for teaching Canada Day to middle school students?
Teachers can use activities like creating spider maps, writing short essays, making posters, or researching fun facts to teach Canada Day in an engaging way.
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