Canada's Constitution Challenge

Only recently could Canadians establish their own laws. Learn more about the country’s history and the Constitution Act of 1982 by creating a board game.

• 1.

  Research details about the history of the Canadian government. How have Great Britain, France, and North America’s indigenous peoples influenced the country’s laws? Until 1982, any amendments or changes made to the Canadian constitution, known as the British North America Act of 1867, had to be carried out by the British Parliament. The Constitution Act of 1982 ended British legislative control of Canada, and established the country’s fundamental laws and civil rights. Queen Elizabeth II It signed it on April 18, 1982, at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

• 2.

  Work in a small group to decide how you want to set up your game board. Your goal is to learn facts about the history of the Canadian Constitution and its significance to that country’s people. What game strategies would add challenge and excitement to your game?

• 3.

  Use Crayola® Colored Pencils and your imagination to draw your game board on posterboard. Use Crayola Washable Markers to color important buildings such as the Parliament Building and people such as Prime Ministers and British government representatives.

• 4.

  Press color from Crayola Washable Markers into pieces of white Crayola Model Magic to make game pieces. Knead the modeling material a little for a marble effect, or knead more until the color is evenly distributed. Sculpt maple leaves and other symbols of Canada. Air-dry game pieces at least 24 hours before playing.

• 5.

  Create any other pieces needed for your game. For example, on construction paper, measure question cards. Cut them out with Crayola Scissors. Write a question and answer on each card. Write questions about the British North America Act of 1867, the Canadi

Benefits

• Students discover how Great Britain, France, and Native peoples played major roles in Canadian history.
• Students learn about Canada’s government and how it works.
• Students identify the differences between the British North America Act of 1867 and the Constitution Act of 1982.
• Students design, write, and build a game based on facts about the Canadian government.

Adaptations

• Compare and contrast the history and content of the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982 with your own country’s documents such as the U.S. Declaration of Independence or Constitution.
• Research the nine formal amendments to the Constitution of Canada that have been written since 1982. Why were these added? What is the process for making amendments and changes?