Creating Canada: A History – 1914 to the Present, Second Edition is a comprehensive educational resource published by McGraw-Hill Ryerson . Authored by Margaret Hoogeveen and Sarah Murdoch, this textbook is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Ontario Grade 10 Canadian History Since World War 1 (CHC2D) curriculum. Overview of the Second Edition The second edition, published in 2014, updated the original content to align with the 2013 revised Canadian and World Studies curriculum. It spans approximately 492 pages and focuses on developing "historical thinking concepts"—competencies popularized by Dr. Peter Seixas—to help students analyze evidence through an inquiry-based model. Core Themes and Unit Structure The textbook is organized into four primary units, each centered around a critical inquiry question regarding Canada's development as a nation: Unit 1: 1982 to the Present Key Question: Why is Canada the nation it is today? Topics: Canadian Identity , diversity, the Constitution, globalization, and Canada’s role in the modern world. Unit 2: 1914 to 1929 Key Question: Did World War I transform Canada? Topics: World War I, social changes, and persisting inequalities during the early 20th century. Unit 3: 1929 to 1945 Key Question: Did Canada "grow up" during World War II? Topics: The lead-up to war, World War II, and life on the home front . Unit 4: 1945 to 1982 Key Question: Did Canada find its own pathway by 1982? Topics: Postwar changes, Canada as a global citizen, internal strife, and the search for a unique Canadian way. Key Educational Features Inquiry Model: Encourages students to engage with history by asking questions and making meaningful connections to their own lives. Primary and Secondary Sources: Includes a vast array of documents, illustrations, and maps to help students investigate historical evidence. 21st Century Skills: Focuses on critical thinking, research, and authentic assessment opportunities. Teacher’s Resource: A separate teacher's resource is available, which includes CD-ROMs containing the complete text in PDF format , along with blackline masters and figures. Accessibility and Availability The text is available in various formats to support different learning needs: Digital Formats: While the core resource is a print textbook, the teacher's edition specifically includes PDF versions of the text on CD-ROM for classroom use. Special Editions: A large-print edition was published in 2017 for the visually impaired. Online Education: It is also used as a primary resource for online secondary school courses in Ontario.
Since this is a request for a detailed post about a specific educational resource, I have structured this as a comprehensive guide for students and educators. It covers the book's scope, pedagogical features, content breakdown, and where it fits within the Canadian curriculum.
Book Feature: Creating Canada: A History – 1914 to the Present (Second Edition) Authors: Jill Colyer, Graham Draper, Elizabeth A. Haldenby, et al. Publisher: Oxford University Press Canada Target Audience: High School Students (Grades 10–12, specifically Ontario Curriculum CHC2D/CHC2P) Overview Creating Canada: A History is one of the most widely used history textbooks in Canadian high schools. The Second Edition is specifically designed to meet the curriculum requirements for the Canadian History since World War I course (typically Grade 10). The book distinguishes itself by moving away from a purely chronological recitation of facts, instead focusing on historical inquiry and the development of critical thinking skills. It frames history not just as "what happened," but as "how we understand what happened." Key Pedagogical Features The textbook is built around modern educational methodologies designed to engage students with differing learning styles:
The Historical Inquiry Model: The text is structured around questions rather than just answers. It encourages students to formulate their own questions about the past and use evidence to draw conclusions. Focus on Competency: It emphasizes the "Historical Thinking Concepts" developed by Peter Seixas and the Historical Thinking Project. These include: Creating Canada: A History – 1914 to the
Historical Significance Evidence Continuity and Change Cause and Consequence Historical Perspective The Ethical Dimension
Differentiated Instruction: The layout includes features for visual learners (rich infographics, maps, and photographs), auditory learners (linked audio resources), and hands-on learners (activities and inquiries). "Uncovering" History: The book often asks students to act as detectives, analyzing primary sources (diaries, political cartoons, government documents) to "uncover" the reality of the past.
Content Breakdown (Unit by Unit) The Second Edition divides the 20th and 21st centuries into distinct units, mirroring the standard curriculum timeline. Unit 1: 1914–1929 – The Impact of World War I This unit sets the stage by exploring Canada’s transition from a British colony to an autonomous nation. It spans approximately 492 pages and focuses on
Key Topics: The causes of WWI, trench warfare, the home front, women's suffrage, the Conscription Crisis, and the Spanish Flu. Inquiry Focus: How did WWI shape Canadian identity? (Analysis of the "Roaring Twenties" vs. the reality for returning soldiers).
Unit 2: 1929–1945 – Depression and War This section covers the turbulence of the interwar years and the Second World War.
Key Topics: The stock market crash, the Great Depression (Dust Bowl, unemployment), the rise of fascism, Canada’s role in WWII (Dieppe, D-Day, the Italian Campaign), and the Holocaust. Inquiry Focus: The ethical dimensions of government policies during the Depression and the internment of Japanese Canadians. Key Topics: The Baby Boom
Unit 3: 1945–1982 – The Post-War World Often considered the era of "nation-building," this unit covers the Quiet Revolution, the welfare state, and the Cold War.
Key Topics: The Baby Boom, suburbia, the Cold War (DEW Line, Korean War), the Quiet Revolution in Quebec, the October Crisis (War Measures Act), and the introduction of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Inquiry Focus: Continuity and change regarding human rights and the evolving relationship between English and French Canada.