What is the Canadian Museum of History Teachers’ Zone?

This website was created to provide Canadian teachers — primarily Grades 3–12 — with access to primary sources and high-quality content. We have worked closely with topic experts, members of diverse cultural communities, and teachers from across the country to create teaching resources on a variety of history-based topics.

In the Teachers’ Zone you’ll find curriculum-based themed packages that include museum artifacts, archival documents, audio and video content, as well as activity suggestions.

Please check back often, as we will continue to enrich these packages and develop new ones, while also reflecting the latest in scholarship, learning, and ways of teaching.

The Canadian Museum of History Teachers’ Zone is designed to bring Canadian history into your classroom in a dynamic and engaging way!

Start exploring the website

Who is the Teachers’ Zone for?

This website is for anyone who wants to use primary source material effectively within a classroom setting.

Our primary audience is educators across Canada who teach history or social studies from Grades 3–12 (Cycle 2 to Secondary V in Quebec).

How is everything organized?

The website is made up of packages that are organized like this:

package structure diagram

You can search the Teachers’ Zone for full packages or for individual objects.

Packages

Packages contain digitized museum artifacts, archival documents, video and audio clips and activity suggestions for your class. Each package has its own theme; that theme is broken up into topics, which lead to individual objects.

Objects

Objects are the key elements in each package. Objects may include digitized museum artifacts, archival documents, and video and audio clips.

Package Activities

Package activities are project-based activities designed to take one or more classes. These activities involve the use of historical thinking concepts while exploring the whole package, resulting in a more comprehensive approach. Find package activities by clicking the Activities tab once you’re in a package.

Object Activities

Object activities are short inquiry-based activities that typically take 5–25 minutes. These activities encourage students to think critically about the objects being presented, and to use historical thinking concepts. There are three different types of object activities: Look, Think, and Do. Find object activities below each object.

Does this content reflect my curriculum?

Yes! Since each province and territory has its own unique curriculum, we have taken common themes from across the country and used them as guides for the packages we have created.

Although you will not see a label indicating a specific grade or curriculum associated with a given package, you will be able to search packages by topic, theme and date range.

We have also incorporated cross-curricular learning in our activity suggestions where appropriate.

Is everything accessible?

We know that everyone accesses information differently, and have tried to ensure that package content addresses the varied needs of students and educators.

Some of the many ways in which these packages support accessibility:

Three levels of historical context to accommodate different ways of learning.
A variety of media, including audio and video content, for diverse learning abilities.
Multiple activity suggestions for diverse learning abilities.
Content can be read with Assistive Technology applications.
Downloadable and printable content that can be accessed offline.
Transcripts for video, audio and hard-to read archival documents.
Video subtitles in both official languages.
Content is available in both official languages.
Website complies with Website Content Accessibility 2.0 AA Guidelines.

It is important to us that this website is accessible for anyone wishing to use it. If you have suggestions for improvement, please contact us.

Who creates the content?

For packages authored by the Canadian Museum of History, content was assembled by the Museum’s educational experts, or Learning Specialists. These Learning Specialists work closely with curators, subject experts, and members of diverse cultural communities to ensure that the information provided is accurate.

The activities were created by Learning Specialists and informed by our National Teacher Advisory group.

How can I use Package and Objects in my classroom?

However you like! We have tried to make our content as relevant as possible, but you know what works in your classroom better than anyone.

A few options:

Use package content to prepare for a class module or course of study.
Individual objects can be shared with the whole class on a Smartboard or projector.
Students can explore the website and complete activities on their own.
Teachers can print out images of objects, and complete object activities with the entire class.

We have included a number of activity suggestions with each package and object to get you started.

Can I send my students to the Teachers’ Zone?

Absolutely! We recommend taking a look around first, to become more familiar with the package, object or activity you’d like your students to explore.

Most text is directed towards informing teachers, but we have three levels of historical context for each object, allowing better access for students.

Why isn’t there a package on the subject I’m teaching?

As of 2020, this website launched with two themed packages. We will continually add new packages in the years after.

If you have a suggestion for a package, please let us know!

What is a featured Package?

At the top of the Home page, we will feature a package that is new or especially relevant. You can always find our other packages by scrolling down on the Home page.

Why do some Objects have “Sensitive Content” or “Offensive Language” labels on them?

We know that history isn’t always easy or kind and wanted to be sure we flagged content that some might find upsetting or shocking.

While it is important to celebrate the many individual and collective achievements in Canadian History, we also wanted to candidly address some of the conflicts and controversies from this country’s past, revealing the diverse experiences and perspectives of the real people who lived and experienced it. We feel it is important that we don’t censor this content; it is important to learn about the past, so we can be better informed for the future.

Please note that some historical sources found in our collections use language and terminology that reflects the context and culture of the time of their creation. This language does not reflect the views of the Canadian Museum of History in 2020. However, as part of the historical record, the Museum chooses not to censor or alter these sources, in the interest of presenting an honest reflection of the past. For more information, please contact information@historymuseum.ca.

We hope that, by our flagging this content, you will feel better informed about the content you bring into your classroom. Our National Teacher Advisory has come up with a list of things to consider when exploring difficult subject matter with your students: Teaching Difficult History.

What is the difference between Package Activities and Object Activities? Where can I find them?

Object activities are short inquiry-based activities that typically take 5–25 minutes. These activities encourage students to think critically about objects being presented, and to use historical thinking concepts. There are three different types of object activities: Look, Think, and Do. Find object activities below each object.

I can’t see or download content. Is there a way to get “hard copies” of Packages?

Yes! Please send us an email, letting us know which package(s) you want. We will mail you a USB stick containing all the content and media associated with the package(s) you’ve requested.

What is the Canadian Museum of History?

Located on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg in Gatineau, Quebec, the Canadian Museum of History welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors each year to its celebrated complex.

With roots stretching back to 1856, it is one of Canada’s oldest public institutions and a respected centre of museological excellence, sharing its expertise in education, history, archaeology, ethnology and cultural studies both within Canada and abroad.

For more information, please visit our main website.