Our Current Programs

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  Families Then, Families Now

  Kindergarten - Grade 1

  Ireland House Museum

  How have families changed? How have they stayed the same? Your class explores the concept of ‘family’ and their role in it, by comparing and contrasting their family to the Ireland family. Students learn about the specific roles on a farm, including chores children were expected to do, and help our staff complete some of these chores around the home.

  Curriculum Connections

  The Kindergarten Program | Belonging and Contributing

  Grade 1 | Heritage and Identity: Our Changing Roles and Responsibilities

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  Early Burlington

  Grade 1, 3, 4

  Joseph Brant Museum

  Explore the early history of Burlington with us at Joseph Brant Museum. Students will go on a short walking tour to learn about the features of Wellington Square, and the people who lived here. We will learn about early immigration to the area, and participate in a critical thinking game. After learning about Burlington’s past, students will contemplate its future, and create their own city plans.

  Curriculum Connections

  Grade 1 | People and Environments: The Local Community
  Grade 3 | People and Environments: Living and Working in Ontario
  Grade 4 | People and Environments: Political and Physical Regions of Canada

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  Interactions Among Early Societies

  Grade 3-5

  Joseph Brant Museum

  Join us at Joseph Brant Museum to explore the interactions among early societies in Canada, namely Indigenous peoples, and European settlers. Students will examine the exchange that occurred after first contact, and participate in a simulation. Artifacts and documents will reveal their histories during analysis and discussion. Students will also learn about treaties, and the different ways that they were made.

  Curriculum Connections

  Grade 3 | Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, 1780 – 1850
  Grade 4 | Heritage and Identity: Early Societies to 1500 CE
  Grade 5 | Heritage and Identity: Interactions of Indigenous Peoples and Europeans prior to 1713, in What Would Eventually Become Canada
  Grade 6 | Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present

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  Conflict and Challenges: The War of 1812

  Grade 7

  Joseph Brant Museum

  The War of 1812 had an enormous impact on the formation of Canada’s identity. Students will explore the causes of the war and participate in a mock political debate, examine the perspectives of involved parties through primary source analyses, and assess the outcomes of the war and their own opinions on the conflict through a reflection exercise.

  Curriculum Connections

  Grade 7 | Canada, 1800 – 1850: Conflict and Challenges

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  Conflict and Challenges: The Rebellions of 1837

  Grade 7

  Joseph Brant Museum

  The Rebellions of 1837 changed the geographic and political landscape of early Canada. Students will learn about the causes of the rebellions in Upper Canada by examining primary source documents, step into the shoes of rebellion supporters in a simulated vote, and assess the outcomes of the rebellions and their own opinions by issuing their own versions of the Durham Report.

  Curriculum Connections

  Grade 7 | Canada, 1800 – 1850: Conflict and Challenges

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  Family and Community Traditions

  Grade 2

  Joseph Brant Museum

  Explore traditions and celebrations from all over the world. Our program room will turn into a cultural cornucopia of sights and sounds, providing various heritage traditions of the past, and reflecting our present citizenry of Burlington. This seasonal program is available mid-November to December.

  Curriculum Connections

  Grade 2 | Heritage and Identity: Changing Family and Community Traditions

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  Burlington and the First World War

  Grade 10

  Ireland House Museum

  World War I brought on a period of change in Canada and abroad. Join us at Ireland House Museum to learn about Burlington and the First World War. Students will take a close look at the role of Nursing Sisters at the Brant Military Hospital, and triage wounded soldiers. Students will learn about the impact of canning factories, such as those on the Burlington waterfront, in feeding an army, and put together rations for the troops. Students will also learn about the experience of two Ireland family members during the War, and make their own recruitment posters.

  Curriculum Connections

  Grade 10 | Canadian History Since World War I

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  Upper Canada Communities and Migration

  Grade 3, 6, 8

  Ireland House Museum

  Diverse and distinct, your class learns about three communities in both Burlington and Canada; Indigenous peoples, British settlers, and Black settlers. Students explore the migration of these communities from abroad, as well as at home, and compare and contrast their experiences.

  Curriculum Connections

  Grade 3 | Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, 1780-1850
  Grade 6 | Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present
  Grade 8 | Creating Canada, 1850-1890

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  Victorian Christmas (seasonal)

  Grade 1-6

  Ireland House Museum

  Visit Ireland House Museum and experience the special heritage traditions of a Victorian Christmas. The seasonally decorated historic house provides an appropriate backdrop for your students, while they learn about how traditions have changed over the years. Special heritage crafts and hearth baking completes the visit. This seasonal program is available mid-November to December.

  Curriculum Connections

  Grade 2 | Heritage and Identity: Changing Family and Community Traditions

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  Growth and Changes in Plants

  Grade 1, 3

  Ireland House Museum

  How did the Ireland family’s garden grow? This program introduces students to seasonality and how dependent the Ireland family was on a good harvest. Your class starts by learning about the basic needs of plants. Students then explore the different ways in which people used plants for food, shelter, and medicine in the past and present. All participants will plant a seed and take it back to class, to study and observe how it grows over time.

  Curriculum Connections

  Grade 1 | Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
  Grade 3 | Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
  Grade 3 | Earth and Space Systems: Soils in the Environment

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