Life in Residential Schools

Curriculum Information

• Grade Level: Year 8 (Ontario Social Studies Curriculum)
• Curriculum Area: History – Canada, 1890–1914: A Changing Society
• Specific Expectation:
  • B3.3: Describe various social and cultural perspectives on issues relating to identity, citizenship, and heritage in Canada, and explain how some of these issues continue to be relevant today.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand the daily experiences of Indigenous children in residential schools.
2. Analyze the struggles these children faced, including loss of culture, emotional trauma, and harsh living conditions.
3. Reflect on the lasting impacts of residential schools on Indigenous communities today.

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Materials Needed

• Printed copies of first-hand survivor testimonies (pre-selected excerpts)
• An audio recording of a residential school survivor's story
• A printed timeline of key dates in the history of residential schools
• Chart paper and markers
• Sticky notes

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Lesson Breakdown (60 Minutes)

1. Introduction & Hook (10 Minutes)

Engagement Activity: "Picture the Past"

• Display a black-and-white photograph of children in a residential school setting (e.g., in a classroom, dormitory, or dining hall).

• Ask students:

  1. What do you see in this photo?
  2. What do you think the children might be feeling?
  3. What is missing from this environment?

• Students write one word that comes to mind on a sticky note and place it on the board.

• Teacher briefly introduces the concept of residential schools, highlighting that Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in these institutions.

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2. Exploration & Discussion (20 Minutes)

A Day in the Life of a Residential School Student

• Split the class into six groups. Each group is assigned one aspect of daily life:

  1. Morning Routine (wake-up, meals, discipline)
  2. School & Education (curriculum, strict rules, punishments)
  3. Language & Communication (loss of Indigenous languages)
  4. Work & Chores (laundry, farm duties, cleaning)
  5. Emotional Well-being (homesickness, impact on mental health)
  6. Evening & Sleep (strict bedtimes, shared bedrooms, surveillance)

• Each group reads a short survivor account related to their topic.

• Groups discuss:

  • What emotions does this story convey?
  • What consequences did this have on the child's identity and future?
  • How does this compare to your own school experience?

• Groups present a one-sentence summary of their findings to the class.

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3. Reflection & Deeper Thinking (15 Minutes)

"If You Could Speak to Them" Reflection

• Students write a letter (3-5 sentences) addressed to a child who attended a residential school.

• Prompt:

  • What would you say to comfort them?
  • What do you wish they could have instead experienced?
  • How do you think Canada should remember them today?

• Volunteers (optional) read their letters aloud.

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4. Closing Activity & Connection to Today (10 Minutes)

"What Stuck With You?" Closing Circle

• Students stand in a circle and share one sentence about something that impacted them today.
• Teacher connects discussion to present-day Truth and Reconciliation efforts, emphasizing why it is important to listen to survivors and honour their experiences.

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Assessment & Evaluation

Formative Assessment:

• Observation of student engagement in group discussions.
• Quality of letter reflections (assessed for empathy, thoughtfulness, and understanding of the topic).

Summative Assessment (Optional Extension Activity):
Students create a visual timeline of key residential school events and submit a short paragraph explaining how these schools have impacted Indigenous identity and culture in Canada.

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Adaptations & Differentiation

• For students who need additional support: Provide an option to respond verbally instead of writing; use sentence starters for reflection.
• For advanced learners: Encourage them to explore how residential schools connect to current discussions on reconciliation, such as Orange Shirt Day.

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Teacher Reflection & Notes

• What moments in the lesson resonated most with students?
• What challenges did students face in understanding the emotional impact of residential schools?
• How can follow-up lessons deepen this historical conversation?

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Final Thought for Students:

"Reconciliation begins with understanding. The past cannot be changed, but the future can be shaped by what we do today."