A Beginners Guide To Canadian History

Canadian History is often described as boring.

As a homeschooling mom of high schoolers, I understand the challenges of finding engaging and informative resources for Canadian History. It can be tempting to overlook our own country’s history in favor of more widely discussed topics, but as Canadians, it’s important for us and our children to have a deep understanding of our own history.

However, finding the time and energy to research and teach Canadian History can be a daunting task, especially for working moms who homeschool.

That’s why I’m excited to share ten Canadian resources that are perfect for busy working moms who homeschool.

These resources have been carefully selected to help you make Canadian History come alive for your kids while also being convenient and easy to use in your busy schedule. From interactive websites to immersive books, these resources offer a range of activities and learning methods to engage your children in Canadian History.

In this blog post, I’ll be sharing the best Canadian History resources for working moms who homeschool. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooling veteran or just starting out, you’ll find something here to enhance your Canadian History curriculum.

So if you’re looking for ways to add some excitement and depth to your Canadian History lessons, keep reading to discover the best resources available.

Creating My Own Canadian History Homeschool Study

Years ago, a friend gifted me a box of books, and I decided to take my own advice to save money on homeschool curriculum by digging through the box before purchasing anything new. It’s a really great way to save money!

As a homeschooling mom, I understand the challenges of finding engaging and informative resources for Canadian History. I know firsthand that it’s not easy to find resources that make Canadian History FUN for kids.

That’s why I’m excited to share my own Canadian History homeschool study with you. Below you will find Canadian History resources I found in that box of books, as well as some that I purchased, had already, or are on my wish list. These resources have been tried and tested by me and my kids, and we’ve found them to be both informative and engaging.

So whether you’re looking to save money on curriculum or just searching for some fresh Canadian History resources for your homeschool, take a look at this list of resources for creating your own Canadian History homeschool study.

10 Canadian History Resources

I’m thrilled to share some Canadian History homeschooling resources with you.

Please note that I’ll only be including age/grade ranges for resources that have them, but most of the resources should be suitable for all ages of your kids. You know your children best, so if you think a resource would interest them or be a good fit for their learning style, don’t be afraid to add it to your list.

1. Canadian History Notebooking Pages:

I decided to start with Notebooking Pages because I have a lifetime membership to it. These pages are not only fun, but also practical, as they can be used as worksheets for my children. If your children enjoy notebooking, these pages can serve as a great backbone for your Canadian History studies.

Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

In case you’re not familiar with notebooking, I recommend checking out this article: What is Notebooking?

By signing up for the Notebooking Pages freebie pack, you’ll have access to the whole country set, which is included in the 600-page downloadable pack. This will save you from having to purchase individual packages.

To learn more about getting started with Notebooking Pages in just three easy steps, click the image above and sign up.

Alternatively, you can choose to purchase the individual pages that you need, such as the Individual Canadian Provinces Notebooking Pages or the Canada Country and Provinces Complete Notebooking Set.

2. Canadian History Textbooks

I decided to use a few books from my bookshelf as spines. Here are the four books we used:

1. The Kids Book of Canadian History: I chose this book because I wanted my kids to have a clear and engaging overview before diving deeper. This colorful book is easy to read and filled with great facts and stories. It was the perfect introduction to Canadian History.
2. Canadian History Visions and Voices Textbook: This textbook is a detailed and in-depth resource that makes for a great reference book.

The Kids Book of Canadian HistoryCanada : A Nation UnfoldingMy Canada: An Illustrated Atlas

 

3. Canada: A Nation Unfolding: This book is commonly used in Grade 10 Canadian History programs. The book has been fully rewritten and redesigned, and the version I used had striking photographs, effective maps, graphs, charts, and illustrated timelines that made history memorable.
4. A Canadian Atlas For Younger Kids: While searching for resources, a reader named Katie recommended My Canada Books, which we thought would be similar to the My America Books. Although we did not find them, we came across this delightful Canada Illustrated Atlas that was perfect for younger kids.

3. Canadian History Timelines

Timelines are a really great visual for understanding what happened and when. After we read a chapter in The Kids Book of Canadian History book, we add any dates we find to our timeline.

Here are a few Canadian History Timelines you could use for your homeschool unit study.

1. Notebooking Pages General Timeline:

If you have the Notebooking Pages Lifetime membership, you may find the History Timeline Notebooking System might work for you.

If you don’t, you can purchase it separately here, but I would recommend one of the ones below instead. The reason being the Canadian Timelines below include important people and events.

2. The Canadian Timelines

The following timelines are great for the wall or in a 3-ring binder. There are 3 options.

Please note: You can get all of the Canadian Homeschoolers products in one money-saving bundle! However, to see each item separately, keep reading! 

A. Timeline of Canada {to Confederation}

This Canadian timeline tries to include most of the more important events in our history – ranging from pre-European arrival to the Confederation of 1867.

Click here to get the timeline of Canada to Confederation.

B. Timeline of Canada – From Confederation to Today

This Canadian Timeline continues on from 1867 until today. There are over 70 events/people covered. Each event includes a title, an arrow to show the time frame, a short explanation of that event, and a graphic.

Click here to get the timeline of Confederation to Today.

C. Timeline of Canada Bundled

This timeline covers from ranging from pre-European arrival to today and includes both of the above timelines. Click here to get the bundled Timeline of Canada.

4. Canadian History Printable/Digital Downloads

If you’re looking for budget-friendly and fun resources to enhance your Canadian History studies, digital downloads are a great option.

One great resource to check out is the Canadian Geography Matching Game.

This game offers a fun and interactive way to learn and review the Canadian provinces. It also helps to understand where historical events took place, kind of like a puzzle.

Each province and territory comes with a set of four cards displaying a map, flower, flag, and capital city. You can easily print and cut out each card, preferably on cardstock for added durability, and then match them up.

Next, 31 Days of Hands-On Canadian History, which offers printable activities to make learning about Canada’s history more interactive and exciting. You can easily do these activities with your kids at home.

Additionally, DLTK’s Crafts for Kids is a great site filled with fun puzzles, crafts, and hands-on learning activities. Best of all, it’s completely free! Check out their Canada Games and Puzzles section for more fun activities.

5. The Canadian Adventure – A Virtual Trip Across Canada

Explore the beauty and diversity of Canada’s provinces and territories with The Canadian Adventure, a province-by-province virtual trip using The Canadian Adventure – A Virtual Trip Across Canada Program.

From the charming Green Gables in Prince Edward Island to the majestic mountain ranges in British Columbia, and everything in between, this virtual tour will take you and your kids on an unforgettable journey through Canada’s rich history and culture. You can even experience the thrill of whale watching and catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights!

6. Canadian History Online Games

Another fun way to reinforce learning is through games! Online games can be a great tool for teaching without your kids realizing they are learning. I like to call it “sneaky learning” 😉 Save these games on your favorite device and your kids can learn on the go!

Check out these websites for some great Canadian history games and activities:

• Canada’s History For Kids: This site has a wide range of games, puzzles, and interesting facts.
• Canada: A People’s History: Try the History Crossword or Who Wants to be a Viking? games.
• Canadian Geographic: This site offers a variety of geography and history games.
• My Canada | TVOKids: This website has a collection of games and activities for kids to learn about Canada.

7. Canadian History Living Books

In addition to digital resources, books are a wonderful way to immerse your children in Canadian history. Living books, in particular, are an excellent tool to engage your kids and create interest in the subject matter. They are written in a narrative style that makes history come alive and often contains vibrant illustrations or photographs that help to further the learning experience.

A few favorites include “A Pioneer Sampler: The Daily Life of a Pioneer Family in 1840” by Barbara Greenwood, “The Kids Book of Canadian History” by Carlotta Hacker, and “The Story of Canada” by Janet Lunn. These books provide an in-depth look at the lives of Canadians throughout history, including their triumphs and struggles, and are sure to captivate both you and your children.

A Pioneer Sampler: The Daily Life of a Pioneer Family in 1840The Kids Book of CanadaThe Story of Canada

 

If you’re not familiar with the term “living books,” they are basically books that make a topic come alive and inspire a love of learning in children. They are written by passionate authors who aim to teach through storytelling, rather than just presenting dry facts. You can find a comprehensive list of Canadian Living History Books here.

8. Canadian History Fiction Books

Here are some book series that we have found to be engaging resources for learning about Canadian history:

The Canadian Flyer series follows Emily and Matt on adventures through Canadian history that are both exciting and informative. It’s an excellent resource for young learners who may find non-fiction books too dry.

If you’re starting with the series, Beware, Pirates! is the first book, and we highly recommend Stop That Stagecoach, which was our favorite from the series.

Beware, Pirates (Canadian Flyer Adventures #1)Canadian Flyer Adventures #13: Stop that Stagecoach!Canadian Flyer Adventures #6: Pioneer Kids

 

The Dear Canada series features stories told through the eyes of young girls who lived in Canada during different historical periods. These books are written in diary format and are so convincing that my daughter was heartbroken when she found out they weren’t actually written by real girls.

With 37 books in the series (not including e-singles) and 4 teaching volumes, there are plenty of stories to explore. You can download a printable checklist of all the books and resources on the Dear Canada website.

Dear Canada: All Fall DownDear Canada: To Stand on My Own: The Polio Epidemic Diary of Noreen Robertson, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 1937Dear Canada: Pieces of the Past: The Holocaust Diary of Rose Rabinowitz, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1948

 

While the I Am Canada series is marketed towards boys aged 9 and up, we believe girls can also benefit from the books’ historical content. The series currently has 13 books, and what makes them unique is that they’re based on true events, making the stories even more engaging. To complement each book, a guide, video, and hands-on learning activities are also available on the I Am Canada website.

Blood and Iron: Building the Railway (I Am Canada)I Am Canada: Fire in the SkyGraves of Ice: The Lost Franklin Expedition (I Am Canada)

 

Extra resources:

For the Dear Canada series, you can find additional resources and activities on the Scholastic Canada website.

The I Am Canada series also offers a guide, videos, and activities that correspond with each book on their website.

9. Canadian History Time Capsule

My Canadian Time Capsule is a digital subscription box that delivers a new “Time Capsule” each month, highlighting a significant moment in Canadian history.

The capsule includes various resources, activities, and printables to help you and your children immerse yourselves in that particular time period.

The aim of the capsule is to spark excitement and interest in Canadian history and demonstrate that it can be engaging and exciting.

You can read a review of this program titled “Teaching Canadian History With My Canadian Time Capsule – Hands-On History.”

10. Fun Facts You Might Not Know!

Just for fun, here are some things you might not know about Canada:

• No, we don’t live in igloos. This was a question I got asked a lot when working with international clients. It always made me laugh.
• Most provinces have four seasons, which means we do have summer!
• We spell some words differently than in the US, such as “favourite,” “colour,” “centre,” and “grey.”
• We really do say sorry a lot! However, it doesn’t always mean we take the blame. “Sorry” can mean “excuse me,” expressions of empathy, or acknowledging a mistake, among other things. In fact, we say sorry so much that it’s been written into law: the Apology Act, 2009, S.O. 2009 c. 3.
• Canada has two official languages: English and French. However, only New Brunswick is officially bilingual in that all their signs have both English and French writing on them. That said, you will see both languages on product packaging, such as this example from a local coffee shop.
• We no longer use pennies! We have no one-cent coin, so if a price says $10.99, it gets rounded to $11 if you’re paying with cash. If you use a debit card or credit card, you pay the original price.
• Yes, we say “Eh?” but not as much as you might think.
• Beaver tails are not actually beaver tails, but a delicious pastry. Check out the recipe here!

Canadian History

Canadian history is a fascinating topic for both children and adults, and there are numerous resources available to help you and your family learn about it. From engaging fiction books like Canadian Flyer, to immersive Dear Canada diaries, and the informative I Am Canada series, there’s a wealth of reading material to choose from.

Additionally, for a fun and interactive approach, My Canadian Time Capsule offers a monthly digital subscription box filled with history-based resources, activities, and printables. And if you’re just looking for some interesting Canadian facts, the list of fun facts provided in this post is a great place to start.

Whether you’re a working mom who homeschools or just someone interested in learning more about Canada, there are plenty of options available to help you dive into Canadian history.

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