Slide deck for teachers - Voting Rights through Time

SlideTitleText
1 Voting Rights through Time
2Inquiry QuestionHow inclusive is our democracy?
3Minds On

Think of a time when you felt excluded from something.

  • How did that feel?
  • What did you do?

[Teacher's notes: Don’t ask for specific details of the event, just the emotions and actions. Distribute 1-2 sticky notes to each student and have students write down their feelings and experiences on them.]

4Minds On

Think of a time when you felt included in something.

  • How did that feel?
  • What did you do?

[Teacher's notes: Don’t ask for specific details of the event, just the emotions and actions. Distribute 1-2 sticky notes to each student and have students write down their feelings and experiences on them.]

5Minds On

What does Inclusion look like/feel like?

What does Exclusion look like/feel like?

[Teacher’s notes: Collect the sticky notes on the board or on chart paper. Read out some of the words in each category. Discuss what inclusion and exclusion feel like and look like, and come up with criteria as a class. This will help guide students’ decision-making during the activity.]

6Activity

Get ready for your case study

Each group needs:

  • A timeline activity board
  • A set of case study cards: the context card and associated activity cards.

[Teacher’s notes: Place students in small groups and distribute the materials. You can also distribute the Turning Point frame at this point, if you are using it. Explain that each set of cards illustrates a historical case study related to the right to vote in Canada.]

7Activity

Read aloud your context card before you begin.

[Teacher’s notes: Give each group a context card to read aloud together.]

8Activity
  • Read aloud your case study cards.
  • Place each card on the timeline by date.
  • Discuss as a group where you will place the card on the Inclusion/ Exclusion scale.

[Teacher’s notes: Note that there are no right answers in this activity, and every group’s timeline will look different. The discussions and reasoning are the most important part.]

9Activity

Turning point: When the process of change shifts in direction or pace.

Was there a turning point in your case study?

Place your Turning Point Frame on your timeline.

[Teacher’s notes: This is an optional part of the activity to discuss the concept of a Turning Point, which is part of the historical thinking concept Continuity and Change. This is not always the same as Historical Significance, another historical thinking concept. You may wish to skip this step.]

10Activity

Share your thinking.

  • What was the most difficult card to place?
  • Which events were surprising to you?
  • Which events do you have questions about?

[Teacher’s notes: Students will need to see each other’s case study timelines. Choose the suggested activity that will work for your learners: quick share, gallery walk, walking jigsaw or station rotation Text is from the updated teachers’ guide.]

11Consolidation

Discussion:

  • Does getting the right to vote always mean inclusion in democracy?
  • Are other changes needed to make Canada’s democracy more inclusive?

[Teacher’s notes: Use the background information from the teacher’s guide to address any misconceptions or false inferences that have been brought up so far.]

12ConsolidationWatch the video: Voting Rights through Time
13Consolidation

The Right to Vote in Federal Elections: Then and Now

1867

  • Population of Canada 3,230,000
  • Number of eligible voters: 361,028 (11%)

Today

  • Population of Canada: 38,131,104
  • Number of eligible voters: 27,642,171 (72%)

[Teacher’s notes: Distribute copies of the infographic “The Right to Vote in Federal Elections: Then and Now.” Read aloud the text first before asking the questions.]

14Consolidation

1867

  • Population of Canada 3,230,000
  • Number of eligible voters: 361,028 (11%)

Who could vote? Men who

  • were at least 21 years old, and
  • owned property.

Who couldn't vote?

  • Men who did not own property
  • Women
  • Anyone under 21
  • Most First Nations Peoples

What do you notice about federal voting rights in 1867?

What questions do you have?

[Teacher’s notes: Read aloud the text first before asking the questions.]

15Consolidation

Today

  • Population of Canada 38,113,104
  • Number of eligible voters: 27,642,171 (72%)

Who can vote? All Canadian citizens over 18 years old

Who can't vote?

  • Anyone under 18 years old
  • Residents who are not Canadian citizens
  • The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada

What do you notice about federal voting rights today?

What questions do you have?

[Teacher’s notes: Read aloud the text first before asking the questions.]

16Consolidation

Reflect individually.

  • What surprised you most about inclusion and exclusion in Canadian democracy?
  • What is one question you have now?
  • Are other changes needed to make Canada’s democracy more inclusive?

[Teacher’s notes: These questions are printed on the Thinking Guide handout if you are using it.]