Skip to Main Content
Lesson Plan Image

Canada Day Fireworks

How do people enjoy fireworks in Northern Canada during periods when the sun shines 24 hours a day? Student will explore the difference between northern and southern fireworks and create an artistic scene featuring both types.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    Canada Day is celebrated on July 1 and marks the establishment of the Dominion of Canada by uniting the North American British provinces of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia and the country's full legislative independence from the United Kingdom. Have students investigate its history and origins. Have them also learn about how recent celebration have incorporated Indigenous peoples' history as part of the overall Canada Day observance.

  • Step 2

    The northern regions of Canada, such as those near the North Pole, have extended periods of daylight during the summer, including some days when the sun never sets, creating a phenomenon known as the midnight sun. (These same regions experience days of total darkness during winter months.) Canada Day celebrations across the land include fireworks, so how are these visible in 24-hour daylight? Have students look at images of these special fireworks that are created by using colorful smoke and cloud effects.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to create a display of fireworks in both northern and southern Canada. For the north they can use Twistables to draw colorful plumes of smoke on light paper or technology-guided light shows that avoid putting smoke in the environment. For the south then can use bright colored markers to draw colorful bursts on dark paper. Both images can be embellished by adding lines of glitter glue.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their art and discuss the many ways Canadians observe Canada Day.

Standards

SCI: Ask questions about the features of phenomena observed and conclusions drawn from investigations or models.

SS: Individual Development and Identity: Describe factors important to the development of personal identity and the context of identity within families, peer or affinity groups, schools, communities, and nationalities.

Adaptations

Have students explore how other Arctic-region communities celebrate seasonal events when it is light 24 hours a day. They should compare those seasonal celebrations with those that occur when the sky is dark all day and night.

Have students explore other holidays that include fireworks in their celebrations, such as Chinese New Year, the Fourth of July in the United States, Guy Fawkes Night in England, Diwali in India, and others.