Teaching 'O Canada'
On this page:
Part 1: Teaching the Anthem
Part 2: A Critical Approach
Part 3: Additional Resources
Part 1: Teaching the Anthem
Part 2: A Critical Approach
Part 3: Additional Resources
Part 1: Teaching the Anthem
My Canada Series: O Canada
A Detailed History of the Creation of the Canadian National Anthem
Parliament has a compilation of lesson plans that have been submitted by teachers that are looking for ways to teach citizenship and patriotism.
Patriotism Through Art, Submitted by Mary Campone, 2003
The one lesson that I chose in particular is concerning the singing of the national anthem. The lesson features a set of discussion questions for each line of the anthem and also an activity that is suitable for students in elementary school to have them explore the ideas in a more concrete way that is pertinent to students of that age.
A Detailed History of the Creation of the Canadian National Anthem
Parliament has a compilation of lesson plans that have been submitted by teachers that are looking for ways to teach citizenship and patriotism.
Patriotism Through Art, Submitted by Mary Campone, 2003
The one lesson that I chose in particular is concerning the singing of the national anthem. The lesson features a set of discussion questions for each line of the anthem and also an activity that is suitable for students in elementary school to have them explore the ideas in a more concrete way that is pertinent to students of that age.
Part 2: A Critical Approach
Solomon, M. (2011). O Canada, A Teachable Moment. [web log].
One of the easiest ways to promote patriotism is by singing the national anthem. In some schools in Canada singing the anthem is highly recommended or even obligatory. Here in Quebec, the singing of the anthem is definitely more of a charged issue, unless in the context of a hockey game. In her blog, Solomon presents a very engaging way of presenting the anthem to students in a critical manner that allows them to explore the meaning of the text. I am particularly interested in how she makes students look at how the lyrics’ meaning can be re-imagined to make it more meaningful to our contemporary culture.
She provides several videos for students to use to examine.
One of the easiest ways to promote patriotism is by singing the national anthem. In some schools in Canada singing the anthem is highly recommended or even obligatory. Here in Quebec, the singing of the anthem is definitely more of a charged issue, unless in the context of a hockey game. In her blog, Solomon presents a very engaging way of presenting the anthem to students in a critical manner that allows them to explore the meaning of the text. I am particularly interested in how she makes students look at how the lyrics’ meaning can be re-imagined to make it more meaningful to our contemporary culture.
She provides several videos for students to use to examine.