British Columbia Joins Canada

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BC Social Studies Lesson Plans

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Grade 4

Topic

British Columbia Joins Canada

Big Idea

British Columbia followed a unique path in becoming a part of Canada.

Essential Question

Was joining Canada the best decision for BC?

Learning Standards Content

Students are expected to know the following:

economic and political factors that influenced the colonization of British Columbia and its entry into Confederation

Curricular Competencies

Students are expected to be able to do the following

Differentiate between intended and unintended consequences of events, decisions, or developments, and speculate about alternative outcomes

Core Competencies

Communication

I can tell the story of how BC became part of Canada.

Thinking

I can analyze the causes and consequences of BC joining Canada.

Personal and Social

I can consider why we celebrate Canada Day.

First People's Principles of Learning

Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.

Introduction

Show the video Welcome home to Canada—Celebrate being Canadian (2:16).
Using a Think Pair Share strategy, have students discuss which scenes they connected with and why.

Pre-Assessment

Ask, “How do we celebrate Canada Day?” (responses may include: sing ‘O Canada’, wear red and white, parade, fireworks, picnic, sports…)
Then ask, “Why do we celebrate Canada Day on July 1^st?” (students may not be aware that we are celebrating Canada becoming a country—it’s Canada’s birthday)
Have students predict whether all the parts of Canada joined together at the same time.

Interactive Learning Activities

Part 1: How did Canada become a country?

Provide students with access to Canadian Confederation Facts for Kids and the handout “How did Canada become a Country?”

Read aloud each section and provide students with time to record notes on the handout.
Go over the handout using “Answer Key: How did Canada become a Country?”

Part 2: Why did BC join Canada?

- Provide students with the handout “Reading: Why did BC join Canada?”
- Read aloud, stopping to ask clarifying questions such as:
- Why did Great Britain lose interest in BC after the fur trade and gold rushes ended?
- Why was the United States interested in BC?
- Why was Canada interested in BC?
- Have students use words and images to show their understanding on the handout “Graphic Organizer: Why did BC join Canada?”
- Note that the First People of BC were not asked whether or not they wanted to join Canada. Joseph Trutch, BC’s first Lieutenant Governor, refused to negotiate treaties with First Nations. As a result, BC is the only province in Canada to exist on unceded land.

Post Assessment

Have students work with a partner or in small groups to create an advertising campaign to convince BC to join Canada in 1871.
Remind them to focus on what Canada offered BC.
Advertisements may include posters, brochures, radio ads, or moving pictures (videos).

Extension Activities

Hold a debate about whether BC should have joined the United States or Canada or remained a British colony.

Additional References

Belshaw, J.D. 2016. “2.3 British Columbia and the Terms of Union,” in Chapter 2: Confederation in Conflict. Canadian History: Post-Confederation. Victoria, B.C.: BCcampus. https://opentextbc.ca/postconfederation/chapter/2-3-british-columbia-and-the-terms-of-union/

British Columbia. [n.d.] “1871 - B.C. Joins Confederation.” Legislative Assembly.

https://www.leg.bc.ca/dyl/Pages/1871-BC-Joins-Confederation.aspx

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2001. “Entering Confederation.” British Columbia. Canada: A People’s History.

https://www.cbc.ca/history/EPCONTENTSE1EP9CH3PA2LE.html

“Canadian Confederation Facts for Kids.” 2020. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

https://kids.kiddle.co/Canadian_Confederation

"Confederation (Plain-Language Summary)". In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published January 16, 2020; Last Edited January 16, 2020. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/confederation-plain-language-summary

Dunn, William and West, Linda. Canada: A Country by Consent. Ottawa: Artistic Productions Limited. 2011. http://www.canadahistoryproject.ca/index.html

Mussett, B. [n.d.] “B.C. Joins Canada”. British Columbia: An Untold Story. British Columbia: Knowledge Network. https://bcanuntoldhistory.knowledge.ca/1870/bc-joins-canada

Tattrie, Jon , "British Columbia and Confederation". In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published December 19, 2014; Last Edited January 16, 2020. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/british-columbia-and-confederation

Download Complete Lesson Plan

.pdf .docx

Materials and Resources

How Did Canada Become a Country

Handout

Why Did BC Join Canada

Handout

How Did Canada Become a Country Answer Key

Answer key

Graphic Organizer Why Did BC Join Canada

Handout

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Last Reviewed

February 01, 2023

Produced by JES

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