Teachers’ Corner

Welcome to our 1812 Teachers’ Corner! This is your one-stop resource for a wide range of teaching material about the War of 1812. The material you will find here has been produced by selected Government of Canada departments and non-governmental bodies in order to help young people learn about the War of 1812 and its importance to the Canada we know today.

Visit us often to discover various learning resources and lessons plans related to the War of 1812.

General Learning Materials

Grade Level 5 Lesson Plans

Grade Level 7 – 9 Lesson Plans

  • American privateer General Armstrong fires on British ships during the War of 1812.
    Privateers in the War of 1812 (Grade 7 – 9)
    The main goal of this lesson is for students to investigate the role of privateers in Nova Scotia during the War of 1812.

  • Ships in Chesapeake Bay
    The 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot (Grade 7 – 9)
    Students will identify locations where the 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot played a significant role in the War of 1812.

  • Newfoundland
    The Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the War of 1812 (Grade 7 – 9)
    Students will identify geographical locations where the Royal Newfoundland Regiment played a significant role in the War of 1812.

  • Prince Edward Island
    The War of 1812: Fortress of Prince Edward Island (Grade 7 – 9)
    In this lesson, student groups investigate different forts from the War of 1812. They will design a fort to be built on a site on Prince Edward Island. From their research they will generate a description and a list of features that the students may want to include in ‘Fortress PEI’.

  • Soldiers at Fort York
    Forts of the War of 1812 (Grade 7)
    Students will learn the advantages and disadvantages of the geographic locations of forts in the War of 1812.

  • The crossing at MacGregor’s Creek, just downstream from where the British and their First Nations allies made their final stand against the American forces
    Counterfactuals (Grade 8)
    This activity will provide students with the opportunity to use critical thinking to explore the War of 1812 in counterfactuals and attempt to predict what Canada would be like today if history had played itself out differently.

  • Black Hawk (Makataimeshekiahiak), war leader of the Sauk tribe
    Interrogation Room (Grade 8)
    This activity will provide students with the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills by questioning the actions, choices, impact and significance of key individuals during the War of 1812.

  • Still image of Laura Secord Heritage Minute
    Make Your Own Heritage Minute (Grade 8)
    Here is a basic guideline for helping your students create their own Minutes - the rest is left to their imaginations.

  • The Battle of Tippecanoe was an American victory over natives during Tecumseh’s War on November 7, 1811
    3-D Model Battlefields (Grade 8)
    This activity will provide students the opportunity to recreate one of the major battles that took place during the war of 1812.

  • A painting of the original Brock’s Monument
    Victory Awards (Grade 8)
    This activity will provide students the opportunity to discover the impact and significance of key individuals during the War of 1812.

  • Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site of Canada
    The War of 1812: Shaping Canadian Identity (Grade 8)
    Students will explore the location, causes and participants of the War of 1812. They will understand and explain how participating in the war has shaped Canada’s identity as a country today.

  • Image of Laura Secord meeting British forces after travelling more than 12 miles to warn of an American invasion at the British outpost at Beaver Dams
    The Role of Women in the War of 1812: Laura Secord (Grade 9)
    Students will understand the vital role that women played in the campaigns of the War of 1812. They will realize that victory would not have been possible without the women who worked behind the scenes.

  • Painting of the American delegates meeting their British counterparts to agree to the terms of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814
    The War of 1812: Who Won the War? (Grade 9)
    Students will learn about the causes, course and consequences of the War of 1812.

  • Map displaying British North America
    Canadian Identity and the War of 1812: How the Map of North America Could Look (Grade 9)
    The main objective of this lesson is for students to understand the importance of the War of 1812 in the history of Canada and its impact on the map of North America.