School Programs
On-site Programming
Millie’s Day
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Pickering’s early Black settlers faced many hardships in their first years in Upper Canada after finding freedom. Experience early settlement through the eyes of young Millie and share in the work needed for her family to clear their land and road allowances, build fences, and help around the home. This program takes place in the new Log Barn and Log House exhibit spaces. ​
Curriculum Connections: Grade 3: Language 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6; 2.1, 2.2, 2,3, 2,4 Â Social Studies (Heritage and Identity) A1.1, A1.2, A1.3; A2.1, A2.5, A2.6; A3.1, A3.2, A3.3, A3.4, A3.5, A3.6, A3.7 Â Science and Technology (Understanding Life Systems) 1.1, 1.2; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6; 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3,7, 3.8 (Understanding Structures and Mechanisms) 1.1, 1.2; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6; 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3,7, 3.8, 3.9
Roots to Rebellion
Program Length: 1.5 hours
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Pickering Township was a hotbed of political unrest in the 1830s. From unfair land distribution to lack of government support for roads and ignored petitions, there were plenty or reasons the farmers of Upper Canada were frustrated. We will explore the reasons why overthrowing the government became a real option for farmers of Upper Canada. Mapping exercises, role play and hands-on activities will help students understand the causes for the uprising. This program takes place in our hotel, new Log House exhibit space, and grounds of Pickering Museum Village. Pair this program with a second program to make your trip a full day.
Curriculum Connections: Grade 7: The Arts: Drama B1.1, B1.2, B1.4, B2.1, B3.1; Visual Language: Oral Communication 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1,7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 History: New France and British North America: 1713-1800 A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A2.1, A2.5, A2.6, A2.7, A3.1, A3.3, A3.4, A3.5, A3.6, A3.7, A3.8
Traitors!
Program Length: 1.5 hours
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Could you be loyal to the King, but also a traitor? Through role-play and interactive lessons, students will understand how dangerous and corrupt early elections were and why the farmers moved from lawful reforms to armed rebellion in their quest for responsible government. A debate at the conclusion reveals the ultimate sacrifice paid by the men found guilty of treason but how their actions brought Canada democracy. This program takes place in the hotel, new Log House exhibit space, and grounds of Pickering Museum Village. This program explores government and democracy in the 1830s more deeply, as an add-on to the Roots to Rebellion program.
Curriculum Connections: Grade 7: The Arts: Drama B1.1, B1.2, B1.4, B2.1, B3.1; Visual Language: Oral Communication 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1,7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 History: New France and British North America: 1713-1800 A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A2.1, A2.5, A2.6, A2.7, A3.1, A3.3, A3.4, A3.5, A3.6, A3.7, A3.8
Follow the Drinking Gourd
Program Length: 1.5 hours
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Early Black settler, George Chapman, had been enslaved in Virginia before settling in Pickering Township. Students will explore how George may have followed the Drinking Gourd (north star) to find freedom in Canada and what that freedom looked like on a small plot of land in this hands-on, interactive program about the Underground Railroad and early settlement.
Curriculum Connections: Grade 7: The Arts: Drama B1.1, B1.2, B1.4, B2.1, B3.1; Music Visual Language: Oral Communication 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1,7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 History: New France and British North America: 1713-1800 A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A2.1, A2.5, A2.6, A2.7, A3.1, A3.3, A3.4, A3.5, A3.6, A3.7, A3.8
Museum2U
Mapping George’s Freedom (Museum2U)
Program Length: 2 hours
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Explore the life of local Black settler, George Chapman, against the backdrop of changing enslavement laws and the Underground Railroad. Through hands-on activities, students will analyze primary sources, learn about the Underground Railroad’s secret codes, and apply those codes to plot a route for George from enslavement in Virginia to a free life in Pickering Township.
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies; History; Geography; Language; Mathematics; Art.
1837! (Museum2U)
Program Length: 2 hours
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Pickering Township was a hotbed of political unrest in the 1830s. Through role-play and hands-on activities, we’ll help students use historical inquiry to explore physical, social and political challenges facing all Upper Canadians, and to understand the causes and consequences of the 1837 Rebellion. They will learn stories of local people and decide for themselves where their sympathies would have rested. Program reservations will include pre- and post-presentation activities for teachers to do with their students to prepare for and round out the experience.
Curriculum Connections: Grade 6: The Arts: Drama B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4, B2.1, B3.1 Language: Oral Communication 1.1,.1.2, 1.3, 1.4,.1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 Social Studies: Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present A1.3, A1.4, A2.1, A2.2, A2.3, A2.4, A2.5, A2.6, A3.2, A3.3, A3.4, A3.6, A3.7, A3.10 Grade 7: The Arts: Drama B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4, B2.1, B3.1 Language: Oral Communication 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 History: New France and British North America, 1713–1800 A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A3.1, A3.3, A3.4, A3.6, A3.7, A3.8; Canada, 1800–1850: Conflict and Challenges B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B2.1, B2.2, B2.3, B2.4, B2.5, B2.6, B2,7, B3.1, B3.2, B3.3, B3.4, B3.5, B3.6 Grade 8: The Arts: Drama B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4, B2.1 Language: Oral Communication 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 History: Creating Canada, 1850-1890 A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A2.1, A2.2, A2.3, A2.4, A2.5, A2.6, A3.1, A3.2, A3.3, A3.4, A3.5