THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
BRITISH COLUMBIA – GRADE 5
Farming in 19th Century Canada: A Mapping Activity
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, students will become experts on farming in one region of Canada in the 19th
century. First, they will research the plants grown and animals raised in their region using
the Canadian Atlas Online. Next, they will find or draw pictures of each plant and animal and
map them on a large classroom map of Canada. Finally, they will examine what is being
grown and raised today in British Columbia.
Grade Level
Grade 5
Time Required
Two 60 minute classes
Curriculum Connection (Province/Territory and course)
British Columbia Grade 5: Canada from Colony to Country
Economy and Technology – resources and economic development
Human and Physical Environment – location of natural resources
Link to the Canadian Atlas Online (CAOL)
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/
Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required

Use of a chalkboard, white board or overhead projector

Student access to the internet to use The Canadian Atlas Online

Student Activity Sheets (attached):
o
Farming in 19th Century Canada: A Mapping Activity
o
Regional Organizers

A large laminated wall map of Canada

Old magazines that could be used to find farming pictures
Main Objective
The goal of the lesson is for students to successfully research farming activities in 19 th
century Canada using The Canadian Atlas Online. They will understand and appreciate the
diverse nature of agricultural activities across Canada in the past and present.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Gather information from maps and secondary sources.

Record their research findings in an organizer.

Create a visual map of farming in 19th century Canada.

Examine current farming trends in British Columbia.
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
BRITISH COLUMBIA – GRADE 5
The Lesson
Introduction
Teacher Activity
Introduce the term natural resource and
give students a simple definition. Ask
students for examples of natural resources.
Record these on the board or overhead
projector. Define renewable and nonrenewable resources. Ask students to
categorize their examples as renewable or
non-renewable resources.
Agriculture is one of Canada’s most
important natural resource industries. It
was critical to the settlement of early
Canada and BC. Talk to students about the
different types of farms in early Canada ie.
Long lots and seigneuries. Use Google Earth
to view regions of Canada that still show
evidence of the way that land was divided
for farming in the past. (Another option is
to find photographs or satellite images and
distribute these around the class.)
Inform students that they will conduct
research in small groups to become experts
about 19th century farming for a specific
region of Canada.
Divide students into groups or let them
choose.
Distribute the activity sheet and explain the
instructions to students.
Assign a region of Canada to each group.
Lesson
Development
Conclusion
Monitor students as they complete the
activity.
Map Discussion: Once the class map has
been completed, ask students to share their
findings with the class. Ask students to look
at the other regions of Canada and examine
what was farmed there and why.
Student Activity
Share examples of natural
resources.
Categorize resources as
renewable or non-renewable.
Examine photographs or
satellite images of different
farming regions of Canada.
Form a group.
Read the activity instructions.
Record your region of Canada
on the activity sheet.
Complete the activity.
Participate in class discussion.
Send students back to The Canadian Atlas
Online to find the products that are
currently farmed in British Columbia. This
step could be completed individually or in
groups.
Find products currently
farmed in British Columbia.
Discussion Question: Why do you think
that farming in British Columbia was not
included in the Farming section of The
Canadian Atlas Online Atlas?
Participate in class discussion.
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
BRITISH COLUMBIA – GRADE 5
Lesson Extension
Use The Canadian Atlas Online to investigate other natural resources in early Canada.
Assessment of Student Learning
Organizers could be collected and assessed for accuracy and completeness. Participation in
the activity could also be assessed (use of research time, staying on task, participation in
discussion).
Further Reading
Students can be directed to The Canadian Atlas Online to learn about other natural
resources in Canadian history.
Link to Canadian National Standards for Geography
Essential Element #5: Environment and Society

Renewable and non-renewable resources
Geographic Skill #2: Acquiring geographic information

Locate, gather and process information from a variety of primary and secondary
sources including maps.
Geographic Skill #3: Organizing geographic information

Prepare maps to display geographic information.
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
BRITISH COLUMBIA – GRADE 5
STUDENT ACTIVITY SHEET
Farming in 19th Century Canada: A Mapping Activity
You are going to become an expert on farming in one region of Canada in the 19 th century.
First, you will find out what plants and animals were found on farms. Next, you will find or
draw pictures of each plant and animal and put them on a class map of Canada. Finally,
you will find out what is grown and raised today in British Columbia.
Step 1: Choose one of the regions below.
Atlantic Canada
Ontario
Quebec
Prairies
Write down your region of Canada here (one region per group):
______________________
Step 2: Use the text and maps in the Farming section of the Historical Atlas in the
Canadian Atlas Online (www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/) to find the plants grown and
animals raised for your region of Canada in the 19th century. Record the information in the
organizer for your region (attached). Write down the specific location of that plant or
animal if it is provided.
Step 3: Draw or find small photos of the farm animals and plants for your region. Cut
them out and attach them to the class map of Canada. Remember to put them as close the
area where they were farmed as possible.
Step 4: Farming in British Columbia
What is currently being farmed in British Columbia? Follow this link to the Canadian Atlas
Online to find out.
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/themes.aspx?id=pacific&sub=pacific_industry_far
ming&lang=En
Record your findings in the British Columbia organizer (attached).
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
BRITISH COLUMBIA – GRADE 5
Atlantic Canada Organizer
Plants
Animals
Other
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
BRITISH COLUMBIA – GRADE 5
Quebec Organizer
Plants
Animals
Other
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
BRITISH COLUMBIA – GRADE 5
Ontario Organizer
Plants
Animals
Other
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
BRITISH COLUMBIA – GRADE 5
Prairies Organizer
Plants
Animals
Other
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
BRITISH COLUMBIA – GRADE 5
British Columbia Organizer
Plants
Animals
Other