Lesson plans
Bring Canada’s capital into your classroom with these free, bilingual teaching resources.
The Gathering Place
The Gathering Place: An Exploration of Canada’s Capital is a resource for teachers of grade 5 to 8 Social Science and History. The lessons and activities explore:
- Canadian culture, identity and symbols
- Government, citizenship and democracy
- Canadian stories, heroes and celebrations
Additional resources by theme
- Theme 1: A capital idea
- Theme 2: Gathering where?
- Theme 3: Exploring our identity
- Theme 4: Celebrating our stories
- Theme 5: Making decisions
Note: SMART Notebook® lessons are available for many activities. Please visit the Classroom Connections website.
Theme 1: A capital idea
Students explore the attributes, roles, functions and characteristics of Canada's capital and begin to understand how our nation’s capital serves as a physical and metaphorical gathering place for all Canadians.
- Flickr gallery: Photo cards
- Photo cards and insert map
- Insert map answer key
- Capital questions handout (activity 3, step 3 discussion questions)
Note: SMART Notebook® lessons are available for activities 1, 2 and 4 of this theme. Please visit the Classroom Connections website.
Theme 2: Gathering where?
Students examine what makes a capital city unique and explore the factors and historical context that affect how a capital city is chosen. Additional resources include:
Note: SMART Notebook® lessons are available for activities 1 and 2 of this theme. Please visit the Classroom Connections website.
Theme 3: Exploring our identity
Students explore the concept of Canadian identity and the role of the national capital in representing the shared vision and common values that connect us as a diverse and regional nation. Additional resources include:
Students explore the attributes, roles, functions and characteristics of Canada’s capital and begin to understand how our nation’s capital serves as a physical and metaphorical gathering place for all Canadians. Additional resources include:
- Defining Canada: A Nation Chooses the 101 Things That Best Define Their Country: Results Tables
- Canada Day Challenge: Information guide
Note: SMART Notebook lessons® are available for activities 2 and 3 of this theme. Please visit the Classroom Connections website.
Theme 4: Celebrating our stories
Students explore Canada’s capital as a place where Canadians gather to remember the past; share stories about this land and its people; and celebrate their heritage, common values and accomplishments. Additional resources include:
- Flickr gallery: Commemorations
- Canadian Heritage: Public art
- Canadian Heritage: Monuments
- Decoding Art: The Royal Canadian Navy Monument
- Video: Commemorations

Commemorations in Canada’s capital
This video is an additional resource for The Gathering Place: An Exploration of Canada’s Capital.
Note: Smart Notebook lessons are available for activities 1 and 2 of this theme. Please visit the Classroom Connections website.
Theme 5: Making decisions
Students examine the role of our national capital in decision making and creating change for citizens, while exploring the actions and outcomes of youth making a difference. Additional resource:
Canada’s Capital treasures
These seven lesson plans explore how some of the Capital’s most inspiring commemorations, heroes and symbols contribute to our sense of personal, community and national identity. The activities meet the curricular objectives in Social Studies, History and Geography programs in provinces and territories across the country. Five of the lesson plans also feature a media literacy activity.
Through engaging activities, students in grades 6 to 9 will identify significant people and events in Canada commemorated in the following treasures:
- National War Memorial [PDF Version, 607 KB]
- Youtube video of the National War Memorial
- Peace Tower [PDF Version, 745 KB]
- Youtube video of the Peace Tower
- Rideau Canal Locks [PDF Version, 441 KB]
- Youtube video of the Rideau Canal Locks
- Famous Five Monument – “Women are Persons” [PDF Version, 666 KB]
- Video of the Famous Five Monument
- National Aboriginal Veterans Monument [PDF Version, 528 KB]
- Video of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument
- Maurice Richard Monument – “Never Give Up!” [PDF Version, 422 KB]
- Video of Maurice Richard Monument – Never Give Up
- Mackenzie King Estate – Abbey Ruins [PDF Version, 577 KB]
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