Grade 8 Social Studies
Videos are listed chronologically by date added, beginning with the most recent
100th Anniversary of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building
This video outlines Saskatchewan's political history and how the legislature came to be built in Regina. Historical photographs, documents and interviews with politicians and historians enrich this documentary and shed light on what the legislative building represents in Saskatchewan's history an...
Hannah's Story
Hannah Taylor sees her first homeless person in Winnipeg at the age of five. Hannah constantly thinks and worries about the man - where is he staying and what he is eating. When Hannah turns eight, she establishes the Ladybug Foundation, Inc. Hannah speaks to politicians, business leaders, studen...
Commemoration. Episode 8
The video focuses on commemoration and how Remembrance Day is an important part of our Canadian identity in recognizing the important role our service women and men had in shaping world events during the Second World War.
Soldiers Return Home. Episode 7
In the video, Reg Harrison, a boy from the prairies, shares his personal story of challenges, risks and dangers faced while serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a pilot with the Bomber Command during the Second World War.
Prisoners of War. Episode 4
In the video, Henry Beaudry recounts his experience as a veteran First Nations soldier and describes the role played by Canada's First Nations men during the Second World War by joining the military without the support of their home communities.
Aboriginal War Experiences. Episode 5
In the video, Philip Favel describes his experience as an imprisoned soldier and illustrates the bravery and contributions of First Nations soldiers in the Second World War.
HMCS Regina. Episode 3
In the video, Donald MacIntosh, veteran and survivor of the HMCS Regina sinking, explores the role the Canadian Navy played in the Second World War and that of the corvettes in protecting convoys while experiencing great personal risks.
Training and Preparing for War. Episode 1
The video explores the challenges, sense of duty and loyalty that veterans experienced as they trained and prepared for the Second World War.
Price of Freedom. Episode 2
The video focuses on the cost of war to maintain Canada's freedoms as well as the price paid by soldiers in combat and as prisoners of war in the Second World War.
An Introduction to the House of Commons (MPTV)
This program describes how Canada's government works. Filmed on location in Ottawa, students learn about the members of parliament and the basic structure and functions of the House of Commons. There is an interactive quiz at the end of the program.
A teacher's guide is available.
Hana's Suitcase
Series: The National
The National produced a documentary based on CBC journalist Karen Levine's book Hana's Suitcase: A True Story. The book depicts a Japanese school teacher, Fumiko Ishioka, who decides to use the Holocaust as an educational tool. Using the suitcase of Hana Brady, a young girl who was sent to Auschw...
The Rockies
Series: Geologic Journey
Geologists search for clues of massive tectonic shifts that reverberate through the continent, forcing the mountains up out of the plains. Bends and cracks reveal the growth pangs of the mountain building era.
The Great Lakes
Series: Geologic Journey
This episode tells the story of the changes in the geology and landscape of the vast central area of North America. In recent geologic history, five interconnected freshwater lakes are formed. We explore a long vanished mountain range, the remains of a tropical salt-water sea and trace the story ...
The Canadian Shield
Series: Geologic Journey
Geologic time has shaped the Canadian Shield into a complex ensemble ranging over millions of square kilometres. The geography of the Shield has been surveyed from North to South, and yet its underground world still leaves much to be explored. The Canadian Shield is one of the last frontiers of h...
The Atlantic Coast
Series: Geologic Journey
This episode tells the story in three dramatic chapters of how tectonic upheaval pummelled and pounded eastern North America until the shape we recognize today finally emerged. The discovery of fossils provides proof of how North America and Africa were once bound together. Tectonic movement lies...