Presenting… the Prime Ministers of Canada

Student Handout

Not all prime ministers have had the same effect on Canadian history. Some spend many years in office, yet do little that changes the nation (not necessarily a bad thing). Others change the way we think about ourselves and our nation in a surprisingly short time.

In this project, you will conduct research about prime ministers on the National Library of Canada's First Among Equals website and make a presentation about your findings.

Small-Group Work

• Go to the National Library's First Among Equals website. URL: www.collectionscanada.ca/primeministers
  
  
• Explore the site and choose three prime ministers.
  
  
• Answer the questions that follow on the Prime Ministers Fact Sheet. Once you have finished answering the questions for three prime ministers, choose the one that interested you most.
  
  
• Prepare a short presentation for the class on that prime minister. The use of multi-media and original techniques is encouraged, including overheads, posters, and computer presentations.
  
  
• In addition, you may wish to use dramatic techniques. For example:
  
  
  • A simulated interview with the "prime minister"
  • A fictional debate that conveys the information you've prepared
  • A rap song (or any other kind)
    
    
• Visual aids with important information could be used to help the audience.

Individual Work

• After watching all the presentations, complete the Prime Minister Presentation Response Sheet.

Prime Ministers Fact Sheet

1. Prime Minister:

Personal Life

a. Date of birth

---

b. Place of birth

---

c. Date of death (if applicable)

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d. Wife or husband's name

---

e. Education

---

f. Personal background (account of interests, early jobs, important life experiences, travel, etc.)

---

---

---

Professional Life

g. Political party

---

h. Years/Dates as prime minister

---

---

---

i. Three major events and/or accomplishments as prime minister

---

---

---

---

2. Prime Minister

Personal Life

a. Date of birth

---

b. Place of birth

---

c. Date of death (if applicable)

---

d. Wife or husband's name

---

e. Education

---

f. Personal background (account of interests, early jobs, important life experiences, travel, etc.)

---

---

---

Professional Life

g. Political party

---

h. Years/Dates as prime minister

---

---

---

i. Three major events and/or accomplishments as prime minister

---

---

---

---

3. Prime Minister

Personal Life

a. Date of birth

---

b. Place of birth

---

c. Date of death (if applicable)

---

d. Wife or husband's name

---

e. Education

---

f. Personal background (account of interests, early jobs, important life experiences, travel, etc.)

---

---

---

Professional Life

g. Political party

---

h. Years/Dates as prime minister

---

---

---

i. Three major events and/or accomplishments as prime minister

---

---

---

---

Prime Minister Presentation Response Sheet

Use evidence from the First Among Equals site or
other sources to support your personal opinions.

1. List your "top five" prime ministers in order of their importance.

2. Who is the most interesting Canadian prime minister? Why?

3. What would a particular prime minister from the distant past have to say to you about your life (interests, responsibilities, lifestyle, etc.) in Canada today?

4. Describe the person you would like to see as Canada's next prime minister.

Instructions / Assessment Criteria / Student Handout