Orange Shirt Day and Residential Schools - Truth and Reconciliation Activities

Orange Shirt Day and Residential Schools in Canada Close Reading Activities and Resources - This resource contains 4 reading passages related to Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation, as well as Orange Shirt Day close reading activities, comprehension questions, and Orange Shirt Day activities.

These meaningful resources will help you teach this important piece of history as we continue to move towards the path of truth and reconciliation.

✅Be sure to click on the preview above to see a full detailed description of exactly what is included in this resource package.

✅No need to spend hours prepping for your next unit on Orange Shirt Day and Residential Schools in Canada. All of the work has been done for you - simply print the NO PREP pages and teach!

⭐⭐⭐All of these resources were designed by a member of the Indigenous community.

This rigorous and engaging package contains the following:

⭐Non Fiction Reading Passages - Four different non fiction reading passages related to key topics about truth and reconciliation in Canada are included. Each passage includes two different formats - with and without annotation activities. These are great for building background information and practicing close reading skills!

Non Fiction Passage Topics:

✅Understanding the Indian Act

✅Residential Schools

✅Truth and Reconciliation: A Path to Healing

✅Orange Shirt Day: Honouring Residential School Survivors

⭐Fact Gathering Templates - A separate fact gathering template for each reading passage is included. Students use these organizers to help them pull key facts from the articles. Once complete, they make great interactive notebook additions!

⭐Comprehension Questions - A full page of questions to go along with each article is included. Answer keys included!

⭐Top Three Foldable Activity: this fun foldable activity makes learning interactive, and makes a great addition to an interactive notebook. Instructions included!

⭐Double Sided Pamphlet Project - this activity makes a great final project and allows students to demonstrate their learning in a creative way. Full instructions and student templates are included.

⭐TPT DIGITAL EASEL ACTIVITY - An Easel activity has been included to use digitally with your students. This is a student resource, so answer keys and teacher instruction pages have been removed. It includes text boxes for students to type in answers. The reading passage, questions, and fact gathering graphic organizer have been included in the digital activity.

What teachers like you are saying about this product:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"My students loved this resource for Orange Shirt day. We talked about the importance of residential schools and had great discussions about why this is an uncomfortable topic to talk about as Canadians. Awesome resource! Will be using for years to come."

-Mrs J's Classroom Creations

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Thank you for a great resource. We started using this resource last week, as a lead in to Orange Shirt Day... Some of my students have family members that attended these "schools". You have a created a rich resource that fits into the curriculum."

-Siobhan D

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"I used this resource after showing a video to my class that was narrated by a residential school survivor. After discussing the video and some vocabulary, students worked on the worksheet which led to more class discussions. It was a great source of interest to them. I did not do the pamphlet with them yet, but I will be offering it to them as an extension activity. I would definitely use this resource again."

-Lori S

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Great resource to use during Truth and Reconciliation Week this year. Reading was well-written and easy to follow. Questions were purposeful too. Thanks."

-Fantastic Fives

Check out some great similar products here!

• Orange Shirt Day | Residential School | Indigenous Mini Book | Reconciliation

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• Indigenous Peoples of Canada | Reading Passages | Canada's Indigenous People

• When I was Eight | Interactive Read Aloud | Indigenous | Residential School

Residential schools first opened in the 19th century. These institutions were primarily established with the aim of assimilating Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture, forcibly separating them from their families, communities, and cultural practices.

While attending residential school, Indigenous children were subjected to harsh conditions, cultural suppression, and often physical and emotional abuse.

The curriculum emphasized European languages, customs, and religious beliefs, while actively discouraging Indigenous languages and traditions. The legacy of residential schools is marked by profound intergenerational trauma, as many survivors and their families continue to grapple with the lasting effects of the trauma inflicted upon them.

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