“Through the Lens”: Exploring Canadian History Through the Lens of Some of Canada’s Most Influential Women and Time Periods

Abstract

This resource pack seeks to “fill in the blanks” in the Grade 10 History Curriculum, and that is; where do women fit in? The curriculum has a heavy focus on the two world wars, and the goal of working within that framework, yet exploring a different historical perspective is what this resource pack seeks to accomplish. The “Big Six” historical thinking concepts; historical significance, historical perspectives, evidence, continuity and change, cause and consequence and the ethical dimensions, are the concepts that this resource pack is built upon. We have taken that framework and created a resource pack about Canadian women’s history within that framework. Furthermore, each lesson gives attention to at least one significant Canadian female historical figure. Instead of being presented information about “women in history” as a general subject, or as a “token piece” to history, this resource pack pursues women’s history at a deeper level. We hope that by focusing attention on not only women in general, but also specific women and their achievements, students will be able to relate to these figures and connect to their learning in a more meaningful manner.