Link to resources that celebrate inclusivity and diversity with children —short films, activities, games, crafts, and more, and most are free. Keywords are highlighted in blue, and new resources, including LOCAL resources, will be added as they become available.
Add your voice! If you have something you would like to share — a story about your experience as a new Canadian, a culturally-specific craft, game or recipe, a performance, song, dance or poem about diversity and acceptance, or a link to an existing online resource — please check out the Celebrating Diversity page on this site for more information.
Free films and videos
Kee May Ip’s short video names all of the first Chinese businesses in downtown Owen Sound and shows their locations. LOCAL
https://vimeo.com/543807242
Canada’s Halifax Museum of Immigration, Pier 21, offers digital storytelling videos in which newcomers to Canada share their experiences of being an immigrant. At this link, you can also find out how to tune into digital storytelling workshops.
https://pier21.ca/digital-storytelling
Five short films from The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) help kids understand experiences other than their own. Stories include one about a refugee from a war-torn Beirut, a Canadian girl from Hong Kong whose father must work far away, a new Canadian who is celebrating Diwali and missing her grandmother, a young Chinese woman who is cooking in her father’s restaurant, and a young man who is forced to leave China to support his family.
cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/5-films-to-teach-kids-about-diversity
The NFB also shares films that explore cultural diversity from many vantage points and for many ages.
nfb.ca/subjects/cultural-diversity-and-multiculturalism/ and https://www.nfb.ca/playlist/anti-racism-films
Diversity playlists for teachers.
https://www.nfb.ca/education/educational-playlists/
Short films about the variety of Indigenous lives and experiences in Canada
https://www.nfb.ca/education/educational-playlists/#indigenous-voices-and-reconciliation
And films about Black Canadians.
https://www.nfb.ca/channels/black-communities-canada-education/?ed_en=feature_1
The Canadian Museum of Human Rights offers short videos such as this one about a refugee from Somalia who became a Halifax firefighter
https://humanrights.ca/story/from-refugee-to-firefighter
The National Film Board has a large playlist of shorts and feature films centred on Indigenous voices and reconciliation.
https://www.nfb.ca/education/educational-playlists/#indigenous-voices-and-reconciliation
National Geographic Kids shares videos about people, places and biodiversity around the world.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/videos/try-this/
and hands-on learning games and projects that make learning an adventure.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/videos/try-this/
TEDed has an array of free video shorts for kids about biodiversity.
https://ed.ted.com/earth-school
Free classroom posters and tool kits
Access Grey Roots Museum & Archives for exhibits and educational resources. Local
https://greyroots.com/education-programs
CBC has great Indigenous kids’ resources with activities, games and lots of fun information.https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/explore/indigenous
Canada’s Classroom Connections has free downloadable resources for learning about diversity, peace, immigrant experiences, history, and citizenship in both English and French versions.
https://www.classroomconnections.ca/k-12.html
Equitas Canada provides activities and games, designed for various grade levels, that encourage the development of an environment that fosters inclusion, respect and cooperation in your elementary-school classroom.
https://equitas.org/tools-for-education/play-it-fair-toolkit/
Orange Shirt Day commemorates the Indigenous residential school experience, honours the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and promotes reconciliation resources for a range of grade levels.
http://www.orangeshirtday.org/teacher-resources.html
Free and printable colouring pages of art by Indigenous Canadians.
http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/arts-culture/canadian-aboriginal-art
Find a free and printable child-friendly illustrated poster that lists the United Nations Convention rights of a child, in English, French and Spanish versions.
https://plan-international.org/child-friendly-poster-convention-rights-child
Print and share these colourful, downloadable classroom diversity posters.
https://www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources/one-world-posters
Nature Canada provides fun activities to learn about the biodiversity in your own backyard, and teaches kids 15 ways to “be a good neighbour in your own naturehood” with a downloadable brochure available in Arabic, English and French.
https://naturecanada.ca/enjoy-nature/for-children/resources/
Water Use It Wisely shares water-conservation games, tips, posters and challenges for classrooms and kids.
https://wateruseitwisely.com/kids/
Storytelling
An immigrant shares ten fun facts about Canada that she learned after she moved here.
https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2017/09/25/fun-facts-about-canada/
Tune into digital storytelling workshops offered by Pier 21.
https://pier21.ca/digital-storytelling
Books for teaching and learning about diversity
Check out these books from Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library. LOCAL
— Picture books about being differently abled:
Exploring Disability – Picture Books
— Children’s middle-grade chapter books about being differently abled:
— Kids’ non-fiction books about being differently abled:
http://greybruceoneworldfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Books-on-Disability-for-Children-Non-Fiction-2.pdf
— Picture books about Indigenous kids:
Highlighting Indigenous Stories – Picture Books
— Indigenous chapter books for middle grades:
Highlighting Indigenous Stories – Middle Grade Chapter Books
— Kids’ non-fiction books about Indigenous life:
Highlighting Indigenous Stories – Non-Fiction Books for Children
Books — featuring stories about Indigenous children and kids from around the world, multicultural foods for kids to make, feeling different but learning to belong, and including interviews with their authors and illustrators — are listed here.
cbcdiversity.com/
Muskrat Magazine recommends kids’ books centred on Indigenous themes.
http://muskratmagazine.com/must-read-indigenous-childrens-books-list/
GoodMinds recommends these books featuring Frist Nations, Métis and Inuit stories’
https://goodminds.com/ebooks-list
Share kids’ books featuring children of colour exploring and enjoying the outdoors.
theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/05/the-lack-of-diversity-in-childrens-books-about-nature/590152/
ETFO’s The Power of Story links the experience of Canadian girls and women to the kindergarten-through-Grade 8 curriculum.
https://books.google.ca/books/about/The_Power_of_Story.html?id=fD9mwQEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
CBC recommends 10 books about the Indigenous experience to read with children.
https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/10-beautiful-indigenous-childrens-books-to-add-to-your-library
Centennial College’s Indigenous Education offers a free eTextbooks in a unique format that includes videos, podcasts, interactive tools, and more.
https://www.centennialcollege.ca/indigenous-education/our-stories-first-peoples-in-canada/
Link to books featuring LGBTQ2S+ kids and families.
https://www.welcomingschools.org/resources/books/lgbtq-inclusive-schools/
Find tips and title suggestions for kids’ diversity reads here
https://www.kidscanpress.com/search-books?keywords=diversity
and here.
http://teach4diversity.ca/multicultural-childrens-literature/
Information and activities for and about Indigenous Canadians
Orange Shirt Day commemorates the Indigenous residential school experience, honours the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and promotes reconciliation resources for a range of grade levels.
http://www.orangeshirtday.org/teacher-resources.html
The Government of Canada has lots of Indigenous-Canadian resources, including a “fun zone for kids loaded with information, games, stories and classroom resources for teachers.”
canada.ca/en/services/culture/canadian-identity-society/indigenous-peoples-cultures.html
Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day has posters, banners and a downloadable kids’ activities guide that’s filled with games, crafts and even a recipe for bannock bread.
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013251/1534874002459
Check out these books from Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library. LOCAL
— Picture books about Indigenous kids:
Highlighting Indigenous Stories – Picture Books
— Indigenous chapter books for middle grades:
Highlighting Indigenous Stories – Middle Grade Chapter Books
— Kids’ non-fiction books about Indigenous life:
Highlighting Indigenous Stories – Non-Fiction Books for Children
Learn about the Arctic Winter Games, and how to play the Inuit games and sports here: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1303132383681/1534960489079
The Southern First Nations Network of Care outlines and illustrates the Seven Teachings that serve as guiding principles for many Indigenous peoples.
https://www.southernnetwork.org/site/seven-teachings
Aboriginal People Television Network offers commercial-free Indigenous programming for kids. See the shows and schedules at https://www.aptn.ca/kids/
Free and printable colouring pages of art by Indigenous Canadians.
http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/arts-culture/canadian-aboriginal-art
The Government of Nunavut shares a printable Valentine’s Day card in English and Cree (find other northern Indigenous–language resources here, too).
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/sites/ece/files/resources/024-love_you_cree_en_press.pdf
Centennial College’s Indigenous Education offers a free eTextbooks in a unique format that includes videos, podcasts, interactive tools, and more.
https://www.centennialcollege.ca/indigenous-education/our-stories-first-peoples-in-canada/
Manitoba’s Live&Learn offers short bios of notable Indigenous people.
https://livelearn.ca/article/about-canada/notable-indigenous-people-in-recent-history/
Muskrat Magazine recommends kids’ books centred on Indigenous themes.
http://muskratmagazine.com/must-read-indigenous-childrens-books-list/
Multiculturalism of settlers
The Government of Canda hosts a Teachers’ Corner with games and resources to teach about citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism and make learning fun.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadians/celebrate-being-canadian/teachers-corner.html
Find out about Jewish history in Owen Sound. LOCAL
https://ontariojewisharchives.org/exhibits/osjc/communities/owensound/earlycommunity/population.html
Kee May Ip’s short video names all of the first Chinese businesses in downtown Owen Sound and shows their locations. LOCAL
https://vimeo.com/543807242
Lesson plans, films and recommended books and places to visit to learn about Black Canadian history are provided by the Black History Society.
https://teachingafricancanadianhistory.weebly.com/about-fundi-education.html
The Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation has developed resources for teaching recent immigrant children from South Sudan, Pakistan, Central Africa and more.
https://www.cmef.ca/resources/connections/
British Columbia Teachers’ Federation provides a free printable illustrated story about a refugee girl from Iraq, who journeys to Canada with her family.
https://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/SocialJustice/Issues/PAGE/nasrinsjourneyprimary.pdf
Learn and teach traditional games from around the world.
https://kidactivities.net/diversity-games-and-school-ideas/
Find lesson plans, downloadable images and documents — and even first-person accounts via an audio gallery — telling the history of how Chinese immigrants to Canada built the the CPR.
https://www.mhso.ca/tiesthatbind/LearningResources.php
Explore Japanese-Canadian history in Canada.
https://japanesecanadianhistory.net/
What is racial discrimination? Find out what it meant in Canada for Black Canadians.
https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/racial-segregation-happened-in-canada
Learn more about Asian heritage in Canada, and find learning resources, activities and games.
https://etfo.ca/BuildingAJustSociety/EquityResources/AsianHeritageMonthDocuments/BrochureAsianHeritage.pdf
See the sheet music and learn the words for Canada’s anthem — in English and French.
http://www.nationalanthems.info/ca.htm
Watch and listen to a performance of Our Place, the official anthem of Franco-Ontarians.
https://www.viefrancaisecapitale.ca/culture/our_songs-eng
Learn about Franco-Ontarian Day.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/franco-ontarian-history
LGBTQ2S+
British Columbia Teachers’ Federation offers LGBTQ2S+ resources for kindergarten to Grade 5.
https://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/SocialJustice/Issues/LGBTQ/LGBTQ%20Resources%20for%20K-12%20Students.pdf
Discover books featuring LGBTQ2S+ kids and families.
https://www.welcomingschools.org/resources/books/lgbtq-inclusive-schools/
Language and communication
Tune in to radio stations around the world broadcasting in their local languages!
http://radio.garden/visit/udon-thani/v9uXvCQV
or choose from virtual drives through the streets of famous cities while you listen to local radio stations broadcasting music and conversations in their language.
https://driveandlisten.herokuapp.com/
Print and share a Valentine’s Day card in English and Cree.
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/sites/ece/files/resources/024-love_you_cree_en_press.pdf
Spanish Plus Me shares games, songs and words for kids.
https://www.spanishplusme.com/spanish-for-toddlers
Learn to sign basic words and phrases with ASL.
https://kidcourses.com/sign-language-asl
Braille Bug buzzes with fun learning games.
https://braillebug.org/documents/Braille-Trail-Activity-Book.pdf
Learn how different languages gave Harry Potter characters their names.
https://www.etymologynerd.com/uploads/1/5/8/8/15888322/harry_potter.png
Explore the diversity of Canada and the English alphabet by learning about words that range from “Acadians” to “Zoology”.
http://www.canadiangeographic.com/atlas/glossary.aspx?alpha=p&id=242&lang=En
Biodiversity
Stewardship Grey Bruce supports educational environmental projects and programs for schoolchildren. LOCAL
https://www.stewardshipgreybruce.org/environmental-education
Owl Kids offers new learning ideas each month covering diversity in humans and other species.
https://www.owlkids.com/parents-teachers/resources/
Biodiversity Education Awareness Network (BEAN) offers classroom biodiversity resources from K–8.
https://www.biodiversityeducation.ca/elementary.html
The Government of Canada lists 31 challenges to Canadians to help nurture nature.
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/nature-legacy/activities.html
NASA Climate Kids has fun learning climate and biodiversity games, crafts, science-fair project ideas and more.
https://climatekids.nasa.gov/menu/make/
The World Wildlife Fund offers a free downloadable “biodiversity tool kit that provides students with an understanding of the importance of nature and how all living things are connected” with in-class games, and art and science activities.
https://www.worldwildlife.org/teaching-resources/toolkits/biodiversity-toolkit
Nature Canada provides fun activities to learn about the biodiversity in your own backyard, and teaches kids 15 ways to “be a good neighbour in your own naturehood” with a downloadable brochure available in Arabic, English and French.
https://naturecanada.ca/enjoy-nature/for-children/resources/
National Geographic Kids shares videos about people, places and biodiversity around the world.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/videos/try-this/
And hands-on learning games and projects that make learning about nature an adventure.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/videos/try-this/
Biodiversity in Schools comes from Ireland, but has plenty of great classroom projects that translate easily to environments across the Atlantic.
https://www.biodiversityinschools.com/outdoor-resources.html
Eco Kids has lesson plans, books, videos and other materials to help educators and parents discover how outdoor play informs learning and supports environmental education.
https://ecokids.ca/take-action/
Water Use It Wisely shares water-conservation games, tips, posters and challenges for classrooms and kids.
https://wateruseitwisely.com/kids/
The American Association for the Advancement of Science helps kids explore biodiversity through outdoor-activity ideas, games and a visit to the global grocery store.
http://sciencenetlinks.com/lessons/introducing-biodiversity/
TEDed has an array of free video shorts for kids about biodiversity.
https://ed.ted.com/earth-school
Special holidays and celebrations
See a list on the Special Days & Celebrations on this website.
Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day has posters, banners and a downloadable kids’ activities guide that’s filled with games, crafts and even a recipe for bannock bread.
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013251/1534874002459
Owl Kids shares stories about special holidays and celebrations, games, puzzles, activities, crafts, recipes and book reviews.
https://www.owlkids.com/blogs/
Learn some fun facts about the Jewish celebration of Purim.
https://alldonemonkey.com/2019/03/08/10-fun-facts-for-kids-about-purim-2/
May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada. Find information and activities, including a free poster to print and colour.
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/asian-heritage-month.html
To help you celebrate, learn more about Asian heritage in Canada, and find learning resources, activities and games.
https://etfo.ca/BuildingAJustSociety/EquityResources/AsianHeritageMonthDocuments/BrochureAsianHeritage.pdf
Print and share a Valentine’s Day card in English and Cree.
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/sites/ece/files/resources/024-love_you_cree_en_press.pdf
See this short National Film Board of Canada film about a new Canadian who is celebrating Diwali and missing her grandmother.
cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/5-films-to-teach-kids-about-diversity
Resilience and Acceptance
— With thanks to our supporters for this virtual event!
