Canadian Resources for International Women's Day

Posted by Facing History and Ourselves Canada on March 7, 2023

March 8th is International Women's Day, which coincides with Women’s History Month in the United States. While women and their contributions have been excluded from recorded history in many societies, women storytellers have ensured that their achievements are shared and celebrated. We hope these guiding questions and resource collections help in your inclusion of diverse women stories whether on International Women's Day, during Women's History Month in October and throughout the school year:

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Disability Rights in Canada

Posted by Jon Sorokowski on January 10, 2023

The Facing History and Ourselves All-Community Read of Judith Heumann’s memoirs Being Heumann and the YA adaptation Rolling Warrior allows teachers to spotlight disability rights. I picked up Rolling Warrior after learning about Judith Heumann in the documentary Crip Camp, and I quickly realized how little I knew about disability rights, especially in the Canadian context. In preparation for teaching Rolling Warrior, I scoured the internet and libraries for some student-friendly resources. Teachers may find the following resources helpful to incorporate learning about disability rights in Canada into their All-Community Read.

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Topics: Book, Disability education, all community read

All Community Read: Teaching Rolling Warrior and Being Heumann

Posted by Facing History and Ourselves Canada on November 16, 2022

  • Looking for resources to weave disability representation into your literature equity and inclusion work?
  • Interested in receiving a free class set of books by disability justice warrior, Judith Heumann?  (first come first serve, read below to find out more!)
  • Are you a middle and/or high school teacher of English Language Arts, humanities, social studies, civics and/or Special Education?

Facing History & Ourselves’ 2022-23 All Community Read will be a collective journey of transformation supported by an educator workshop and author event. We will engage in conversation around the young adult and adult versions of Judith Heumann’s memoirs:

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Topics: Books, English Language Arts, Professional Development, Online Workshop, ELA, Community, English Classroom, English, Disability education, book club

Dos and Don'ts As you Plan for Orange Shirt Day 2022

Posted by Lorrie Gallant and Jasmine Wong on September 21, 2022

Friday, September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Orange Shirt Day.  A day for public reckoning with Canada’s Residential School system and solidarity with survivors, those who did not survive these institutions, as well as on their families and communities.   It is also a day for public accountability and (re)commitment to the ongoing process for forging renewed recognition of rights, understandings and relationships between Canada, Canadians, and Indigenous Nations, communities and peoples.

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Topics: Truth and Reconciliation, classroom lesson, Orange Shirt Day

5 Books We're Reading this Summer

Posted by Facing History and Ourselves Canada office staff on June 13, 2022

As the summer approaches, each of our Canada office staff are eager to find a comfortable spot on a couch or in the sun, with a cup of cold water, tea or coffee and pick up a book.  Here's what we're reading this summer!

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Topics: Books, Reading, Summer, Reading List

Indigenous Voices: A Resource List by Lorrie Gallant

Posted by Lorrie Gallant on June 6, 2022

June is Indigenous History Month but it is my hope that we are always aware of the Indigenous people around us. Some of us may not share the same experiences in life, but whether you are Canadian or Indigenous or both, we have a shared history, from different perspectives. 

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Topics: Teaching Resources, Indigenous History, Indigenous, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Indigenous Awareness Month, Indigenous History Month

What would inclusion of Jewish identities look like year-round?

Posted by Facing History and Ourselves Canada on May 31, 2022

If you were to think of an identity chart for a Jewish person, what/who comes to mind? Depending on how many Jewish people you know, you may be falling into a singular story of who is Jewish. If we think about pop culture, then perhaps you are thinking of Tevye the MilkMan, Barbara Strrissand in Yentl or Jerry Seinfeld. While they are iconic characters, this perpetuates a singular story of what a Jewish person is. Let’s unpack and move away from singular stories because there is no one way of looking and being Jewish.

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Topics: Identity, Teaching Resources, Jewish Education Program

Models of Disability and How They Impact Teaching

Posted by Keagan Stoyles on May 19, 2022

In this blog post Keagan Stoyles, Facing History and Ourselves Program Intern, and Shira Wolch, Education Coordinator for ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto, discuss the importance of understanding the models of disability and accommodations that are made for certain students, but benefit all. 

ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto is the Canadian chapter of the ReelAbilities Film Festival – the largest film festival in North America showcasing narrative and documentary films about Deaf and disability cultures, and platforming the work of Deaf and/or disabled filmmakers and performers.
 
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Weaving Disability Representation into your Literature Equity and Inclusion Work

Posted by Keagan Stoyles on April 28, 2022

“Either way, the fact that you are here at all changes everything.  Because this - you and me, looking at these stories together - this is one of the most beautiful parts of being a human; the drive to connect and understand, heal and blossom.  This is the kernel that takes my breath away; the piece that I want to hold on to.”

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Topics: Books, English Language Arts, ELA, English Classroom, English, Disability education, book club

Resources for Genocide Awareness Month and Beyond

Posted by Facing History and Ourselves Canada on March 30, 2022

In 2015, the House of Commons designated April as Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation, and Prevention Month and commited to “[honouring] the memory of the victims of genocide and reflect on the root causes of these tragedies, so that they never happen again.”

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Topics: Armenian Genocide, Facing History Resources, Genocide/Collective Violence, Teaching Resources, genocide, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanities Course, Inside a Genocide Classroom

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This is where Canadian Facing History and Ourselves teachers and community members meet to share reflections, scholarship and teaching practices that will inspire, challenge and improve teaching and student learning. Our stories provide a window into diverse Facing History classrooms in Canada, and invite you into the discussion.

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