CANADA’S FLAG – Facts and Figures, Measurement

Students create a book of facts and figures related to the Canadian flag and use craft sticks to make a carefully measured Canadian flag to use for the book cover.

Required Time

180 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 2 to Grade 4

Subject

Language Arts
Mathematics
Social Studies
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

balance colour contrast symbol symmetry

Materials

Tempera Paint Scissors Glue Paint Brushes Water Containers Rulers Pencils Paper Towels Drawing Paper Construction Paper 45.7 cm x 61 cm (18" x 24") Markers Glue Sticks Copy Paper

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Marker & Watercolour Pad, 60 Pages
Washable No-Run School Glue, 118 ml
Construction Paper, 120 Count
Round Brush Set, 4 Count
Pointed Tip Metal Scissors
Fine Line Markers, 12 Count
Washable Glue Sticks, 2 Count

Steps

CANADA’S FLAG – Facts and Figures, Measurement - Step One

Step One

  1. Count 22 craft sticks in total.
  2. Paint 10 craft sticks red.
  3. Paint 10 craft sticks white.
  4. Paint 2 craft sticks half red and half white lengthwise.
  5. Set all the sticks aside to dry.
CANADA’S FLAG – Facts and Figures, Measurement - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Canada's flag is twice as long as it is wide.
  2. Use a ruler to measure a rectangle 11 cm x 22 cm (4.3" x 8.6") on a piece of drawing paper.
  3. Cut it out.
CANADA’S FLAG – Facts and Figures, Measurement - Step Three

Step Three

  1. The 2 outside red rectangles are half as wide as the inside white rectangle.
  2. That means you need 5 and a half red sticks on each side of the flag.
  3. Glue the craft sticks to the paper starting with 5 red sticks on the outside edge.
  4. Glue the half red/half white stick next. Make sure the red side is beside the red stick.
  5. Glue 10 white sticks next.
  6. Glue the half white/half red stick next. Make sure the white side of the stick is beside the white stick.
  7. End with the last five red sticks.
  8. Be careful to place the sticks so they are even along the top and bottom edges.
  9. Make sure the side edge of each stick touches the side edge of the one it is glued beside.
CANADA’S FLAG – Facts and Figures, Measurement - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Cut a square of red construction paper 9 cm x 9 cm (3.5" x 3.5").
  2. Fold the paper in half.
  3. Look closely at a picture of the maple leaf on Canada's flag.
  4. Find the line of symmetry.
  5. Draw half a maple leaf on the paper. 
  6. Make sure the line of symmetry is on the fold.
  7. Cut out the leaf.
  8. Glue it to the flag.
CANADA’S FLAG – Facts and Figures, Measurement - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Make the 8-page book.
  2. Fold the construction paper in half short end to short end.
  3. Fold it again, short end to short end.
  4. Open it up.
  5. Fold it in half long end to long end.
  6. Open it up and you should have 8 boxes.
  7. Fold it in half short end to short end.
  8. Hold the open edges.
  9. Cut from the FOLD side, along the horizontal crease until you get to the intersection of the vertical crease.
  10. Open the paper.
CANADA’S FLAG – Facts and Figures, Measurement - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Fold the paper long end to long end.
  2. Hold the edges of the paper and push towards the centre until you see a box formed.
  3. Keep pushing until all the pages line up.
  4. Flatten the paper with half the pages on one side and half on the other.
  5. Fold it in half again to create an 8-page book.
CANADA’S FLAG – Facts and Figures, Measurement - Step Seven

Step Seven

  1. Glue your flag to the front cover.
  2. Add a title.
CANADA’S FLAG – Facts and Figures, Measurement - Step Eight

Step Eight

  1. Find 6 facts about Canada's flag that also tell something about numbers.
  2. Write your information on white paper.
  3. Draw a picture to support what you have written.
  4. Glue each page into your book.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  1. Create a book about the Canadian flag;
  2. Create a Canadian flag using craft sticks and paint;
  3. Measure and count accurately;
  4. Write about 6 Canadian flag facts and figures they have found; 
  5. Draw pictures to support their information; and
  6. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.

Extensions

  1. Have students work in small groups to create a dramatization about the Canadian flag facts and figures they have found.

Prepare

  1. Download the Colour and Balance posters available on this website.
    Posters
  2. Gather and make available books about Canada's flag, for example, Flag of Canada, by Ariel Watson; Canada's Maple Leaf: The Story of Our Flag, by Ann-Maureen Owens and Jane Yealland; Our Flag: The Story of Canada's Maple Leaf, by Ann-Maureen Owens and Jane Yealland; Our Canadian Flag, by Maxine Trottier; The Canadian Flag, by Sabrina Crewe.
  3. View the overview – National Flag of Canada at the Historica Canada website.
    National Flag
  4. View the CBC website – 10 things you may not know about Canada's flag.
    CBC
  5. Prior to this lesson you may want to do the lesson on Canadian symbolism available on this website.
    Celebration Brooches
  6. Provide time for students to research their facts and figures.

Introduction

  1. Read one of the picture books about the Canadian flag.
  2. Discuss the idea of symbols in general, and cultural symbols – something that people in that country feel is important about the country, or part of the country.
  3. Discuss different symbols people suggested to represent Canada.
  4. Ask students what they would choose.
  5. Consider the use of the maple leaf and why it was chosen.
  6. Display a Canadian flag and discuss it.
    - symmetry
    - contrasting colours
    - proportions - the flag is 2 times as long as it is wide; the outside red rectangles are half as wide as the inside white rectangle
    - the maple leaf is a simplified design with 11 points- the French name is l'unifolié which means 'one leafed'
    - February 15 is flag day in Canada because it was adopted as Canada's official flag on February 15, 1965
  7. Introduce the challenge.
     

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Create a book about the Canadian flag.
  2. Create a Canadian flag using craft sticks and paint.
  3. Measure and count accurately.
  4. Write about 6 Canadian flag facts and figures you have found. 
  5. Draw pictures to support your information.
  6. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.

The Process

  1. Ensure that everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
    - book is carefully constructed
    - the craft stick flag looks like the Canadian flag
    - correct number of craft sticks in each colour
    - craft sticks are glued in correct order
    - maple leaf has 11 points
    - paper rectangle is the correct size
    - book pages are in good condition
    - facts and figures are accurate
    - pictures support the written information
  3. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  4. Observe students as they work.
  5. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  1. Once all the books are complete ask students to share them in partners or small groups. 
    Ask them to:
    - Look closely at the books and how they are made.
    - Share thoughts about the work.
    - Compare information and how it was reported.
    - Tell one thing they learned about the Canadian flag from one of the books.
    - Tell what was satisfying about making the book and explain why.
  2. Ask some students to share their ideas with the whole class.
  3. Display the books so they can be viewed throughout the month. 

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting
  2. Observe students as they discuss the art works – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience.
  3. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - Flag_tracking.pdf)
  4. Have students use the self-assessment form to reflect on their work. (Downloads - FlagPrimary_self-assessment.pdf, FlagJunior_self-assessment) 

Downloads

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CELEBRATION BROOCHES – Colour, Canadian Symbolism

CANADIAN CULTURAL SYMBOLS – Contrast, Symbolism