Lesson & Activities - Orange Shirt Day - National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
- Learn English with NETOL
- Sep 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 8
LESSON & ACTIVITIES
Orange Shirt Day
National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
Speaking Activity - Conversation Questions
Instructions:
Listen to and read the conversation questions.
Practice your speaking by answering each question out loud.
See some possible answers to the conversation questions by clicking the side arrows next to each question.
Conversation Questions
1. Have you ever heard of Orange Shirt Day?
Yes, I have. It is a day to honour and remember the experiences of Indigenous children in residential schools.
2. When is Orange Shirt Day observed?
Orange Shirt Day is observed on September 30 each year.
3. Why do people wear an orange shirt on this day?
People wear orange shirts on this day to symbolize the loss and the hope for reconciliation.
4. What does Orange Shirt Day remind us to do?
Orange Shirt Day reminds us to remember the past and work together to create a better future.
5. What is another name for Orange Shirt Day?
Another name for Orange Shirt Day is National Day For Truth and Reconciliation.
Writing Activity - Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Instructions:
Get a pencil and paper.
Copy the words from below.
Look up the definitions of the words online.
Learn the definitions of each word.
Important Words - Orange Shirt Day - National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
Indigenous
remembrance
history
solidarity
awareness
culture
resilience
reconciliation
tradition
injustice
healing
residential schools
Reading Activity - Orange Shirt Day - National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
Instructions:
Read the following passage about Orange Shirt Day - National Day For Truth & Reconciliation.
Thereafter, listen to -Orange Shirt Day - National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
Note: Reading out loud when learning a new language is important because it helps you practice your pronunciation. When you speak the words, you can hear how they sound, and this will improve your speaking skills.
Orange Shirt Day
National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
National Day For Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, is a very important day in Canada. It is held every year on September 30, and many people take part by wearing an orange shirt to remember the past.
Orange Shirt Day was created in 2013 by Phyllis Webstad. This special day is a day to honour and remember the children who suffered in residential schools and to show that every child matters. Phyllis Webstad has helped many people understand what happened to many Indigenous children at residential schools because she shared her personal story of what happened to her when she went to a residential school.
The Story Behind Orange Shirt Day: Honouring Phyllis Webstad's Story
Phyllis Webstad was a young Indigenous girl. When Phyllis Webstad was six years old, she received a beautiful orange shirt from her grandmother, which she wore on her first day of school. She was very excited and proud to wear her orange shirt.
However, when she arrived at the residential school, a teacher took the orange shirt away from her, along with other things that reminded her of her culture. Phyllis felt very sad and confused because she did not understand why her belongings were taken away. She missed her family and her culture very much during her time at the residential school.
This is why today, it is very important to honour the children who suffered in residential schools on Orange Shirt Day. This important day is a reminder that the past should not be forgotten and that we must all learn from it.
Honouring Indigenous History and Recalling the Injustices of Residential Schools
On Orange Shirt Day, schools, community centres, and families organize events that help people learn about Indigenous history and the impact of residential schools. It is common to see many people wearing orange shirts on September 30 in Canada. People wear orange shirts to remember the pain of the past and to support the healing process for Indigenous survivors and their families.
How Do Schools Observe and Honour Orange Shirt Day in Canada?
Schools observe and honour Orange Shirt Day in Canada by doing creative and meaningful activities. Teachers often explain the history of the day by teaching stories and using pictures or videos. Some schools also invite speakers to talk about reconciliation and the importance of every child's story at residential schools. These activities help everyone learn from the past and work together for a better future.
Orange Shirt Day is not only a day of reflection but also a chance for everyone to stand together and work towards reconciliation. By learning about the history of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, we can all help to build a kinder and more understanding community. It encourages us to listen, to learn, and to respect one another's culture and history.
Daily Land Acknowledgements & Orange Shirt Day
Schools in Canada help teach about Indigenous culture, not just on Orange Shirt Day, but all throughout the year. Schools do this by doing a land acknowledgement at the start of the school day, before O' Canada is played on the morning announcements every morning during the school year.
This land acknowledgement is a way to show respect for the Indigenous Peoples who have lived on the land for many years. It is a short message that recognizes their history and contributions. On Orange Shirt Day, a land acknowledgement helps us remember the experiences of Indigenous children who went to residential schools. This practice reminds us that every person's history matters and that we can learn from the past to build a better future.
Watch this video, which shows an example of a land acknowledgment at a school in Canada:
Final Thoughts on Orange Shirt Day
Overall, Orange Shirt Day is a very important day in Canada. It reminds us of Phyllis Webstad’s brave story and the hardships faced by many Indigenous children in residential schools. This day helps us honour the past and learn about Indigenous history, so we can build a kinder and more united future together.
Listening Activity - Orange Shirt Day - National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
Instructions:
Press the play buttons below.
Listen to the 2 audio files in order from 1 to 2.
Use the reading from above to follow along with the audio files.
Orange Shirt Day - National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
Part 1:
Part 2:
Test Your Knowledge By Taking Our Quiz
Instructions:
Read the 10 true and false questions below.
Answer each question.
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Decorate Your Own Orange Shirt Day Shirt
Download Your Own Orange Shirt Day Shirt
Instructions:
Click on the Orange Shirt Day zip file below..
Download and then print the Orange Shirt Day document.
Decorate the shirt by colouring in the letters and adding pictures which relate to Orange Shirt Day - National Day For Truth & Reconciliation.
Display your work in your house or in the classroom.
Click below for a reading without the accompanying activities:
Click on the following resources. Each resource includes a lesson with printable and digital activities:
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