Every province has a rich history that defines how it is known today. Using a timeline layout, students will research the history of Ontario. Students must think about what makes an event truly worthy of being included in the timeline and be able to include detail in their timeline.
1500: In the early 1500s, early people such as the Algonquians, the Cree, the Iroquois, and the Huron inhabited Canada; they fished and hunted the lands.
1611: Explorers came to survey the land, and in 1611 it was claimed for England.
1763: The French, who found alliance in the Huron tribes, and the English, who were allies with the Iroquois, fought over the land in the Seven Years’ War. The war ended in 1763 with the signing of the “Treaty of Paris”, and England emerging victorious.
1783: When the American Revolution ended, several British loyalists fled from the United States to Canada, splitting the Quebec colony into Lower Canada (French speaking settlers), and Upper Canada (English speaking province that later became Ontario).
July 1, 1867: The Dominion of Canada was established, which meant it was self-governed, but still within the British Empire; this is when Ontario became a province along with Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
1880: In the late 1800s, mining became very prevalent, and hydroelectric power was on the rise.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a timeline of 4-6 important events in Ontario’s history.
Student Instructions
Requirements: At least 4 events, proper dates, descriptions, and appropriate illustrations.
Guide students to work in small groups or pairs to investigate important events in Ontario's history. Assign each group a specific time period or event to research, helping them practice collaboration and research skills.
Discuss with students what makes an event important enough to include on a timeline. Emphasize factors like impact, change, and long-term effects on Ontario. This helps students think critically about history rather than just listing dates.
Show students examples of well-written timeline entries that include a date, a brief description, and a relevant image. Explain how concise writing and visuals make timelines more engaging and understandable.
Introduce students to online timeline makers or digital templates. Demonstrate how to add events, arrange dates in sequence, and insert images. This encourages digital literacy and creativity.
Organize a class gallery walk where students display their timelines. Encourage them to give each other positive feedback and suggestions for improvement. This builds communication skills and classroom community.
Key events for an Ontario history timeline include Indigenous peoples inhabiting the region (1500s), English claim of the land (1611), the end of the Seven Years’ War (1763), arrival of British loyalists and division into Upper Canada (1783), Ontario becoming a province (1867), and the rise of mining and hydroelectric power (1880s).
Start with a blank template and ask students to research and list 4-6 major Ontario history events in order. Have them write dates, add brief descriptions, and draw or find images that match each event. Encourage discussion on why each event was chosen.
Students should select events that had a significant impact on Ontario’s development, such as key historical milestones, cultural changes, or moments that shaped the province’s identity. Encourage them to justify their choices with short explanations.
Including Indigenous history ensures students understand the original inhabitants’ vital role and contributions to Ontario’s history, fostering respect and a more complete perspective of the province’s past.
Students can draw scenes of each event, create digital timelines, use storytelling, or act out key moments. Visual aids and interactive activities make history more memorable and accessible.