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The First Peoples Principles of Learning is a great resource to go through before starting a unit on Indigenous Peoples with Grade 2's. It is also a great resource for teachers to use to guide their teaching when designing Social Studies units and finding reasoning behind all of the learning that students are taking part in.

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The Learning Circle: Classroom Activities on First Nations in Canada 

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The Learning Circle: Classroom Activities on First Nations in Canada 

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This government website has great resources for teachers to use while teaching Grade 2 about the First People's of Canada. It is organized in units and includes stories, games, audio files and other resources.

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The Learning Circle: Classroom Activities on First Nations in Canada - Ages 4 to 7

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The Learning Circle has been produced to help meet Canadian educators’ growing need for elementary-level learning exercises on First Nations. It is the first in a series of four classroom guides on First Nations in Canada.

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Canadian First Nations: Map-Based Exploration

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Canadian First Nations: Map-Based Exploration

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This resource shows all of the First People's on a map of North America. I love this resource because it comes with a worksheet and it connects with a large map that our school has at the moment that students are learning about. The map is half of our gym in size and is such an amazing learning tool. This website connects to that, I will most likely use it after we look at the large map with our Indigenous Educator.

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This is a great video for young students to watch to be introduced to Canada's First People's and their traditions and lifestyle. It would be a great lesson opener to use before starting a unit.

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There are several great printable activities on this website to use with Grade 2's.

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How can I use this Indigenous peoples inventions Canada resource?

Use this fun activity to see if your students can guess which inventions were discovered by Canadian Indigenous Peoples.

This Canadian Indigenous Peoples Inventions activity is great as a starter activity for an Indigenous Studies lesson, to inspire a research project, or as part of your National Indigenous Peoples Day lesson plan. Your learners will love learning about indigenous inventions from Canada.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada, celebrated annually on 21 June.

There are currently over 600 recognized First Nations governments or bands encompassing 1,172,790 people spread across Canada with distinctive Indigenous cultures, languages, art, and music.

We also have a great range of resources for Grades 1 to 3 on the day here. You could also try our National Indigenous People Reading Comprehension Pack for more help and support.

You could also try our National Indigenous People Reading Comprehension Pack for more help and support.

What's included with this resource?

This fantastic teacher-made resource contains an Activity Sheet that gets your class thinking about the everyday products that we use, that were invented by the Indigenous peoples of Canada.

All your class need to do is circle all the correct Canadian Indigenous Inventions, of the 16 inventions included, 9 of them are correct!

An answer sheet is included within this pack to enable you to quickly mark your classes work.

Once your class has completed this activity sheet, why not talk through each invention with your class and the impact they have had on Canadian culture?

The nine inventions of Canada included with this worksheet are:

For some more fun and engaging Indigenous Peoples resources, you could take a look at our Indigenous Group of Seven Research Activity, or the Inuit Way of Building Igloos Informational Poster.
We acknowledge that the most important aspect of teaching Indigenous history and culture is ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are at the forefront. Thoughtful consideration has been taken to ensure we approach these resources with respect and dignity to Canada's Indigenous peoples. Our aim is to align with Canada's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation mission. Where possible, we encourage you to reach out to Indigenous leaders in your community to either administer these lessons or support you as you engage your learners.
Indigenous Inventions and Language

Countless North American Indigenous words, inventions and games have become an everyday part of Canadian language and use.

The canoe, snowshoes, the toboggan, lacrosse, tug of war, maple syrup and tobacco are just a few of the products, inventions and games.

Some words include the barbecue, caribou, chipmunk, woodchuck, hammock, skunk, and moose.

Many places in Canada, both natural features and human habitations, use Indigenous or Indigenous-derived names, including the word Canada itself.

More discoveries and Indigenous Inventions in Canada:

Willow Bark - The active ingredient in pain relievers such as Aspirin was known to First Nations for centuries.

Blackberry Plant - A tea made with the whole blackberry plant was used by First Nations to treat sicknesses such as dysentery, cholera and upset stomach.

Pine Tree Tea - Pine trees were used by First Nations to make a tea that helped relieve coughs. Many cough syrups today use the same ingredient.

Petroleum Jelly - First Nations used olefin hydrocarbons and methane to make petroleum jelly, and used it to hydrate and protect animal and human skin.

Corn - Corn is a staple food that was cultivated by First Nations for thousands of years. Today it is grown all around the world, and has many uses.

Green Corn - First Nations created the game of lawn darts using shucked new green corn with its kernels removed. Feathers were attached to the darts.

Tree Bark and Needles - First Nations shared their cure for scurvy with European newcomers. The bark and needles of the hemlock or pine tree are boiled to make a vitamin C tonic.

These Indigenous Inventions in Canada are now widespread throughout the world and highlight the important contributions Canada's Indigenous peoples have made.

The above video is from a third-party source. We accept no responsibility for any videos from third-party sources. Please let us know if the video is no longer working.

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Twinkl Canada: Canadian Indigenous Inventions Activity

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Use this fun activity to see if your students can guess which inventions were discovered by Canadian Indigenous Peoples. This Canadian Indigenous Peoples Inventions activity is great as a starter activity for an Indigenous Studies lesson, to inspire a research project, or as part of your National Indigenous Peoples Day lesson plan.

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Celebrating Indigenous Peoples in Canada 

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Celebrating Indigenous Peoples in Canada 

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This guide has information and activities for students to work through to learn more about Canada's Indigenous Peoples.

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When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson 

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When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson 

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David A. Robertson is an Indigenous author in Canada. His book "When We Were Alone" is about the difficult time in Canada for Indigenous People's with residential schools. It is a gentle way to introduce children to residential schools and the history of Indigenous People's in Canada.

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"Every Child Matters" by Phillis Webstad is the story of Orange Shirt day for kids.

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CBC Kids Book Club | Every Child Matters

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This CBC Kids News video is a great introduction to Reconciliation for younger students.

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Orange Shirt Day free resources for Primary aged students.

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Orange Shirt Day activities for Primary children

These resources have been proudly made in partnership with the Orange Shirt Society for Orange Shirt Day.

September 30th is a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.We have created a pack full of Orange Shirt Day activities. Have students learn about Phyllis Jack Webstad's story and the significance of the orange shirt and what it represents. Learn the history of Indian residential schools in Canada and ways to show support for survivors and all Indigenous people this Orange Shirt Day.

This activity pack is ready to use in any primary classroom to support important conversations around Orange Shirt Day. It's also a perfect Orange Shirt Day virtual classroom resource as it includes a PowerPoint, fact files, art activities and lots of orange shirt day printables ready to use. This pack is perfect to find insightful orange shirt days activities for toddlers as well.

You can also download some of the resources included in this pack individually. For example, our Orange Shirt Day Primary PowerPoint is a great resource to use on its own as a way of introducing your pupils to Orange Shirt Day.

If you want to delve deeper or are looking for more Orange Shirt Day activities for primary pupils and older, check out our other resources below:

Teacher-made resources to educate children about Orange Shirt Day

All our resources are created by our team of experienced teachers who ensure they are accurate, high-quality and are in-line with relevant curriculum goals. Our qualified teachers make sure that every resource can provide genuine learning support to your pupils.

Plus, because all our resources are ready-made, you can easily incorporate them into your teaching without the need for lots of extra lesson planning and preparation.

For Orange Shirt Day, we've made sure our resources are aligned with the aims and values of this important national holiday.

All the resources in this pack of Orange Shirt Day Activities for primary children are designed to help your pupils develop a fully understanding of residential schools and their impact on Indigenous communities.

Orange Shirt Day Facts

Orange Shirt Day is a national holiday in Canada. It was initiated by Phyllis Webstad, Northern Secwépemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band).

Webstad created Orange Shirt Day as a way of honouring the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada and learn more about the history of those schools.

She also tours the country telling her story and raising awareness about the impacts of the residential school system.

Orange Shirt Day is also known as the Day of Truth and Reconciliation and is observed all over Canada on September 30. On this day people are encouraged to wear an orange shirt and in 2021 the Canadian government made the day a statutory holiday for federal employees.

To ensure children are made aware of this holiday, Twinkl has created this orange shirt day activities pack that will help primary pupils to understand why we observe this day.
We acknowledge that the most important aspect of teaching Indigenous history and culture is ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are at the forefront. Thoughtful consideration has been taken to ensure we approach these resources with respect and dignity to Canada's Indigenous peoples. Our aim is to align with Canada's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation mission. Where possible, we encourage you to reach out to Indigenous leaders in your community to either administer these lessons or support you as you engage your learners.
The above video is from a third-party source. We accept no responsibility for any videos from third-party sources. Please let us know if the video is no longer working.

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These resources have been proudly made in partnership with the Orange Shirt Society for Orange Shirt Day. September 30th is a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.We have created a pack full of Orange Shirt Day activities. Have students learn about Phyllis Jack Webstad's story and the significance of the orange shirt and what it represents.

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Module 5 Culminating Task: Grade 2 Social Studies: Canadian First Peoples Resource Collection 

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Module 5 Culminating Task: Grade 2 Social Studies: Canadian First Peoples Resource Collection 

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Big Idea: Canada is made up of many diverse regions and communities.

Content: Diverse characteristics of communities and cultures in Canada and around the world, including at least one Canadian First Peoples community and Culture.

Objectives: This collection is intended to be used in a classroom with the support of the Teacher-Librarian, or in the LLC with a class and the Teacher-Librarian. It is an introduction to Indigenous Peoples and culture in Canada. After introducing First Peoples and using these resources, we would choose one group of First Peoples to study further. Orange Shirt day is a great jumping off point to start this discussion and it is at the beginning of the school year. Having the First Peoples Principles of Learning posted in the classroom all year is also something I would do as a classroom teacher and as a Teacher-Librarian.

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“B.C. Curriculum .” Building Student Success - B.C. Curriculum, curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/social-studies/2/core. Accessed 10 Mar. 2024.

“Canada Crew - First Nations - Full Episode.” YouTube, YouTube, 20 June 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztodE6_6qb4.

“Canadian Aboriginal Inventions.” Twinkl.Ca, www.twinkl.ca/resource/ca-ss-63-canadian-aboriginal-inventions-activity. Accessed 10 Mar. 2024.

“Canadian First Nations.” PBS LearningMedia, PBS LearningMedia, 11 Jan. 2021, www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/social-studies-027-mbe-r1-grades-1-5/canadian-first-nations/.

“CBC Kids Book Club: Every Child Matters.” YouTube, 20 Sept. 2023, youtu.be/-Zk5qHqD82Q.

“First Peoples Principles of Learning.” First Nations Education Steering Committee FNESC, www.fnesc.ca/first-peoples-principles-of-learning/. Accessed 10 Mar. 2024.

Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. “Archived - Celebrating Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Learning and Activity Guide.” Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 17 May 2023, www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1528210353182/1580759773150.

Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. “The Learning Circle: Classroom Activities on First Nations in Canada - Ages 4 to 7.” Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 1 May 2013, www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1316530132377/1535460393645.

“Orange Shirt Day .” Twinkl.Ca, www.twinkl.ca/resource/orange-shirt-day-primary-pack-ca-ss-1629308927. Accessed 10 Mar. 2024.

“What Is Reconciliation? | CBC Kids News.” YouTube, YouTube, 27 Sept. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEj5vjc2EDk.

“When We Were Alone.” YouTube, YouTube, 28 Sept. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbCY9bky63k.