Grade Level

Grades 9 to 12

Time Required

60 to 90 minutes depending on grade level and level of computer knowledge

Curriculum Connection

Saskatchewan Curriculum

• Canadian Studies 30 – History, Native Studies and Social Studies – Political Decision Making
• History 10 and Social Studies 10 (units 1 and 3)

Link to Canadian National Geography Standards

Essential Element #1 – The World in Spatial Terms

• map, globe, and atlas use (for example, observing and analyzing relationships)

Essential Element #2 – Places and Regions

• political and historical characteristics of regions
• regional analysis of geographic issues and questions
• the importance of places and regions to individual and social identity
• changes in places and regions over time

Geographic Skill #4 – Analyzing Geographic Information

• make inferences and draw conclusions from maps and other geographic representations
• use the processes of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and explanation to interpret geographic information from a variety of sources

Atlas of Canada Resources

Go to the Atlas of Canada Web site found at atlas.gc.ca The following parts of the Web site will be accessed by students during the lesson:

• Explore Our Maps

People and Society » Population » Population Density, 1996 Map

People and Society » Official Languages » English – French Bilingualism Map

People and Society » Official Languages » Knowledge of French Map

People and Society » Official Languages » Knowledge of English Map

People and Society » Official Languages » Mother Tongue (English) Map

People and Society » Official Languages » Mother Tongue (French) Map

Economy » Income » Median Income of Individuals, 1995$ Map

Reference Maps » Canada Outline » Place Locations and Names of Canada Map

Reference Maps » Federal Election » The 37th Federal Election, 2000 Map

Reference Maps » Federal Election » The 38th Federal Election, 2004 Map

Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment

• computer lab with Internet access
• student worksheet with outline map of Canada identified above

Main Objective

The primary goal of the lesson is for students to learn about Canada’s electoral system and be able to analyze trends from regional and local election results.

Learning Outcomes

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

• access and navigate the online Atlas of Canada
• state how many electoral ridings are in Canada and their own province
• describe the regional nature of the political party representation in Canada
• compare and analyze different geographical facts with the election results

Introduction

Teacher Activity

• Review some of the concepts the class has previously covered on the topic of federal elections (representation by population, the electoral districts and political parties).

Student Activity

• Students will recall previous federal election information and ask questions for further clarification.

Lesson Development

Teacher Activity

• Introduce the idea that the students will be exploring aspects of election results using the Atlas of Canada Web site by completing a worksheet on the topic.
• Hand out the outline map of Canada and worksheet to the students.

Student Activity

• Students will complete the worksheet using the Atlas of Canada Web site and hand in their work for assessment.

Conclusion

Teacher Activity

• Go over the worksheet answers with the students and clarify any queries.

Student Activity

• Students will make any necessary corrections to their worksheets.

The student worksheet is printed separately for distribution to students.

• Student Worksheet – Assessing Canada’s Federal Election Results

Follow-up the lesson with a customized research assignment into a Saskatchewan riding.

Students will be assessed on their computer literacy and will receive a grade for their completion of the worksheet.

• PDF version (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)