Ottawa- an International Capital

THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE ONTARIO – GRADE 9
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas

Our Capital: The Best of Canada

Lesson Overview

Students will compare Canada’s Capital to other Capital Cities around the world in order to make recommendations for the future development of Canada’s Capital.

Grade Level

Grade 9 Canadian Geography

Time Required

Two 75 minute classes

Curriculum Connection (Province/Territory and Course)

Ontario, CGC 1D1 and CGC 1P1

Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required

· Appendix A: Canada’s Capital Research Organizer (attached)

· Appendix B: Additional Research Organizer (attached)

· Appendix C: Our Capital: The best of Canada (attached)

· Our Capital: The best of Canada Evaluation tool (attached)

· Access to computers and the internet

Websites

Canadian Encyclopaedia, Ottawa

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/ottawa-ont

International Council on Monuments and Sites

http://canada.icomos.org/

Laurier House National Historic Site

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/on/laurier/index.aspx

Archaeology and History

http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/index_e.aspx?DetailID=465

Sustainability

http://www.sustainableottawa.ca/?page_id=87

Ottawa named most liveable city

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2010/04/29/ottawa-most-liveable-cities.html

http://www.mynewwaterfronthome.com/moneysense.aspx

Ottawa’s cycling plan

http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/transportation-and-parking/cycling/ottawa-cycling-plan

Museums/culture in the capital

http://www.museumspassport.ca/museum_passport/museums.asp?lang=1

http://www.museumspassport.ca/museum_passport/map.asp?lang=1

Natural attractions

http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/places-to-visit/parks-paths/capital-pathway-recreational-paths-capital

Videos

I Cycle Ottawa - A City Changing Lanes, Canadian Geographic

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/horizon2067/videos/

Creating a more liveable city, National Capital Commission

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/horizon2067/videos/

Interesting I Phone App for landmarks in Ottawa

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/02/16/ottawa-app-contest.html

Paris, France

http://en.parisinfo.com/

Berlin, Germany

http://www.visitberlin.de/en

Copenhagen, Denmark

http://www.copenhagen.com/

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1828874,00.html

London, England

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation

DC, Washington

http://washington.org/

Canberra, Australia

http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/

Main Objective

Students will understand and appreciate the unique features of Canada’s Capital region. They will also make recommendations for improving Canada’s capital based on a comparison with other capital cities.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

· record and analyze information from web sites;

· participate in group discussion;

· think critically about recommendations;

· communicate their findings through pictures and annotations.

The Lesson

Introduction / Minds on: Students will identify the National Capital Cities they have travelled to and the teacher will generate a list on the board.
In addition, the teacher may provide a PowerPoint of images of the following capital cities that will stimulate discussion about what makes a city great. All of these are national capital cities, like Ottawa.
· Paris, France: historic landmarks, culture & food
http://en.parisinfo.com/
· Berlin, Germany: museums, Mix of historic and contemporary
http://www.visitberlin.de/en
· Copenhagen, Denmark: Alternative energy
http://www.copenhagen.com/
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1828874,00.html
· London, England: Monarchy, architecture
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation
· DC, Washington: White house, museums
http://washington.org/
· Canberra, Australia: natural beauty/scenery
http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/
The criteria, generated through discussion, should be similar to the following suggested list.
Criteria / Look For
Employment / · places of Industry/business (variety or diversity)
Cultural Importance / · national museums
· festivals and celebrations
Historical importance / · buildings and monuments that show countries’ history or importance events in countries’ history
Liveability / · variety of housing, cultural diversity
Accessibility / · easy or ability with which residents can to get around
Sustainability / · Green initiatives
Other criteria to include are: seat of government, international reputation, international events hosted by a capital, “moonstones” such as the London Ferris Wheel, La tour Eiffel etc.
Lesson Development / Task 1: Canada’s Capital Research
Distribute Appendix A and use the list of websites in the Additional Resources section of the lesson as resources for the activity.
Task 2: Research a different National Capital City
Organize students into groups of 3-4. Each will pick a different National Capital City. Distribute Appendix B and ask students to complete the activity. This may be assigned for homework.
Task 3: Discussion
Students share information about their additional city with their group.
Discuss the unique features of Canada’s Capital. Students collaboratively determine recommendations they would make to improve Canada’s capital based on what they have learned about other capital cities in the world.
Conclusion / Students complete the task in Appendix C.

Lesson Extension

Send the class-generated recommendations to the NCC at:

Assessment of Student Learning

Our Capital: The best of Canada Evaluation tool (attached)