Lesson & Activities - Orange Shirt Day - National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
Updated: Sep 29
✦ This lesson includes these sections:
☞ PART 1 - Indigenous Peoples Of Canada
☞ PART 2 - When Is National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
☞ PART 3 - The Origins Of Orange Shirt Day
☞ PART 4 - The Story Behind Orange Shirt Day
☞ PART 5 - Recalling the Injustices of Residential Schools
☞ PART 6 - How Do Schools Honour Orange Shirt Day
☞ PART 7 - Working Towards Reconciliation
☞ PART 8 - Daily Land Acknowledgements
☞ VIDEO - Example Of A Land Acknowledgment At A School
☞ PART 9 - Concluding Thoughts
☞ LISTENING - Orange Shirt Day
☞ POLL - What Does 'Every Child Matters' Mean?
☞ ACTIVITY - Decorate Your Own Orange Shirt Day Shirt
☞ QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge
✦ Click on each section from above to see it ↑
✦ Click on each title box from below to get back here ↓
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
Learning About Orange Shirt Day
National Day For Truth & Reconciliation
Instructions:
Read the following text.
Listen to the audio files.
Complete the activities within the lesson.
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.
Indigenous Peoples Of Canada
The Indigenous Peoples of Canada are the first people to live on the land we now call Canada. There are three main groups: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. They lived here for thousands of years before people from Europe arrived. These groups have their own unique languages, beautiful cultures, and a special connection to the earth. It is very important to learn about their history to understand Canada today.
When is National Day For Truth & Reconciliation?
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada is on September 30th every year. Many people also know it as Orange Shirt Day. On this important day, Canadians wear orange shirts to reflect on the past and show respect for Indigenous communities across the country. It is a special time to listen, learn, and focus on healing together.
The Origins Of Orange Shirt Day
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.
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 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.
Working Towards Reconciliation
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
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:
Concluding Thoughts
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
Take Our Poll
What Does 'Every Child Matters' Mean?
What does the phrase "Every Child Matters" mean to you?
0%Every child deserves to be safe and loved.
0%We must remember the children from residential schools.
0%Children of all cultures should be respected.
0%All of the above.
Download & Decorate 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.
Decorate Your Own Orange Shirt Day Shirt
Test Your Knowledge By Taking Our Quiz
Instructions:
Read the 10 true and false questions below.
Answer each question.
Click the Submit button when you are done.
Click the View Score button to check your results.
Click below for a reading without the accompanying activities:
Click on the following resources.
Each resource includes a lesson with printable and digital activities:
Written by: Nicole WT
Copyright © Learn English with NETOL. All rights reserved.
This lesson was a massive timesaver for me while I was planning for Orange Shirt Day. I used the conversation questions, reading, and listening activities with my LINC students, and it led to meaningful and interesting discussions.
Amazing resource for my class!