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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome Message

I. Background

  1. Canada Fact Sheet with a Spotlight on the Province of Québec
    Blank Fact Sheet
    Completed Fact Sheet
  2. Big Maps
  3. The Canadian Flag with a Spotlight on the Flag of the Province of Québec
    Flag Terminology Handout
  4. Canada's National Anthem
  5. History of Canada with a Spotlight on the Province of Québec

II. Music

  1. Mauvais Sort
  2. Instrument Making for Students and Adults
  3. World and American Music Links
  4. World Culture Links

III. Canadian Culture

  1. Québec's Native Peoples Board Game
  2. History of Canadian Circus
  3. French Canadian Folk Songs from Québec and Other Provinces
    Folk Tales Values Survey
  4. Culinary Culture: Maple Syrup

IV. Here and Now

  1. Exploring Francais Québécois and Current Events through Journalism
  2. The Great Canada Zoo
  3. What's New in Canada?

V. Community Connections

  1. Before and After Questions
  2. Intercultural Connections
  3. The Heritage Project and Oral History
  4. The Student Curator Project
  5. Class Newspaper or Web site
  6. Culture on Parade
  7. Student Participation in Arts Midwest World Fest

This curriculum was written by Jeanne Paliatka and Olaf Nelson for Arts Midwest.

Canada

I: BACKGROUND

Part 4: Canada's National Anthem

Introduction:
Like flags, anthems are important national symbols that provide an avenue for the exploration of a culture's values and history.

Overview:
Students will analyze the anthems of the United States and Canada to discern the values of both countries. Students will also write an individual, family, school or community anthem.

Objectives:
Students will analyze and interpret the words of the national anthems of Canada and the United States.
Students will discern the values and history of Canada through an analysis of its anthem.
To gain an understanding and appreciation of the national anthem of Canada, students will listen to the anthem and view its lyrics.
Students will identify ideas and themes they find meaningful and write an individual, family, school or community anthem.

Grade Level:
Elementary through high school

Time Required:
One to two class periods

Materials:
A copy of the lyrics of the anthems of Canada and the United States
An audio copy of the Canadian national anthem
Notebook paper
Pencils or pens
Teachers may direct students to the Student Resources Pages where they can follow relevant links without having access to lesson plans.

Procedure:

  1. Ask students to review the words to "The Star Spangled Banner." Ask students the following questions: What is the purpose of a national anthem? How do you feel when you hear the"Star Spangled Banner"? What do you know of its history? What conclusions could someone unfamiliar with the United States draw based on"The Star Spangled Banner"? Would those conclusions be accurate? Why or why not?
  2. Give students a copy of the words to the Canadian national anthem,"O Canada." (provided below) Ask them to read the words while they listen to a recording of it. (link provided below).
  3. Ask them the following questions: How did the music make you feel? What do the lyrics mean? What qualities or values do the lyrics highlight about Canada? What conclusions could we draw about Canada from its anthem? Do you think these conclusions are accurate? If not, why include these ideas and values in the anthem? Do you see any similarities between the anthems of Canada and the US?
  4. To extend the lesson, ask students to brainstorm a list of objects and values that are important to them, their family, school or community. Have them choose a popular song, with which most of the class would be familiar. Utilizing their list, have them write an individual anthem, or an anthem for their family, school or community. They should create several verses and a chorus. This can be done in class or as homework. They could work in groups in writing an anthem for the school or community. Otherwise they will most likely need to work individually.

Extensions:
Depending on the age of students and time constraints, students could

  • give an oral explanation of the symbols and colors of their anthems
  • write an explanation of their anthems
  • turn in their individual anthems and the teacher could read them to the class, asking students to match the anthem to the students in the class
  • re-write the Canadian national anthem into their own words (perhaps utilizing a certain number of vocabulary or spelling words as practice)
  • illustrate the Canadian national anthem
  • create a comic strip based on the Canadian National anthem

Spotlight on Québec
The above lesson could be applied to Québec's unofficial anthem,"Gens du Pays" (People of My Country) and would give insight to the values of the people of Québec.

Link to the Canadian Encyclopdia's article on “Gens du Pays.”

Biography of Gilles Vigneault, composer of “Gens du Pays.”

Lyrics to “Gens du Pays” in French.

Resources:
(Links will open in new windows.)

Extensive information on the Canadian National anthem, its history, composers, and lyrics. Incudes several MP3 audio files.

Side by side lyrics of the Canadian National Anthem in French and English.

Audio links to the Canadian National Anthem in a variety of formats.

Lyrics to"The Star Spangled Banner" to use for comparison