Canada’s Traditions and Celebrations introduces students to the diverse cultural heritage found across Canada by exploring family traditions, community celebrations, and multicultural practices. Students learn that Canada is a country of many cultures, investigate their own family origins, and examine how traditions are passed down through generations. Through stories, worksheets, and celebration‑based activities, students identify significant cultural features such as food, dress, religious practices, and holiday customs. The resource supports ongoing learning throughout the year as students study 23 celebrations across seasons, building understanding of identity, belonging, and Canada’s multicultural landscape. Aligned to provincial expectations related to heritage, identity, traditions, celebrations, and cultural diversity.

Expectations: The student will:

• demonstrate an understanding that Canada is a country of many cultures
• describe family history and traditions as they relate to being Canadian
• demonstrate an understanding that traditions are passed down from parents and grandparents
• identify ways in which heritage and traditions are passed on through community celebrations:  such as Remembrance Day and Canada Day
• identify the cultural origins of various family members
• identify the significant features of various family cultures such as food, dress, celebration, religious beliefs.

For the Teacher:

• Expectations and List of Resources
• Teacher Input Suggestions
• List of Traditions
• List of Celebrations
• Information on Canadian Autumn Celebrations
• Information on Canadian Winter Celebrations
• Information on Canadian Spring Celebrations
• Booklet Answer Key 

📘 Booklet For the Students

Student Booklet to be completed with the teacher. This is a teacher directed exercise that can be done throughout the year.

• Booklet Cover
• Family Trees
• Map of our World
• My Family
• What is a tradition?
• What is a celebration?
• Thanksgiving
• Islamic Religions Celebrations - Ramadan and Eed-ul-Fitr
• Halloween
• Remembrance Day
• Jewish Religious Celebrations – Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot and Hanukkah
• Hindu Religious Celebrations – Navaratri and Dussehra and Diwali
• A Vietnamese Autumn Celebration – Tet-Trung-Thu
• A Scandinavian Celebration – St. Lucia Day
• A Christian Religious Celebrations – Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• An African Heritage Celebration – Kwanzaa
• A Chinese New Year Celebration – Kung Hey Fah Choy!
• A French-Canadian Celebration – Carnaval de Quebec
• Groundhog Day
• St. Valentine’s Day
• St. Patrick’s Day
• A Jewish Religious Celebration – Pesach or Passover
• Easter
• Mother’s Day
• Father’s Day
• Victoria Day
• Canada Day

Canadian Curriculum Alignment by Province & Territory

Ontario – Grades 1–3 (Social Studies: Heritage & Identity)

Grade 1 – Our Changing Roles & Responsibilities • Understanding personal and family traditions • Identifying celebrations and community events • Recognizing diversity in families and communities

Grade 2 – Changing Family & Community Traditions • Identifying cultural heritage • Comparing traditions, celebrations, and beliefs • Understanding how communities pass down traditions

Grade 3 – Communities in Canada (Past & Present) • Exploring diverse cultures in Canada • Understanding how celebrations reflect identity • Recognizing contributions of various cultural groups

British Columbia – Grades 1–3 (Social Studies)

• Diverse cultures, communities, and traditions • Roles of family and community in shaping identity • Cultural celebrations and ways people express traditions • Global citizenship and multicultural understanding

Alberta – Grades 1–3 (Social Studies)

Grade 1 – My World: Home, School, Community • Belonging, identity, and traditions

Grade 2 – Communities in Canada • Cultural diversity and celebrations • Heritage and identity

Grade 3 – Communities of the World • Comparing global celebrations and traditions

Saskatchewan – Grades 1–3 (Social Studies)

• Identity, belonging, and family heritage • Cultural traditions and celebrations • Community diversity and shared values

Manitoba – Grades 1–3 (Social Studies)

• Exploring family and cultural identity • Understanding traditions and celebrations • Recognizing diversity in communities

Québec – Ethics & Religious Culture / Social Sciences (Cycle 1)

• Understanding cultural expressions • Exploring celebrations, traditions, and heritage • Recognizing diversity in Québec and Canada

New Brunswick – Grades 1–3 (Social Studies)

• Cultural identity and traditions • Family heritage and celebrations • Diversity in communities

Nova Scotia – Grades 1–3 (Social Studies / Mi’kmaq Studies)

• Cultural identity and traditions • Celebrations and community heritage • Understanding diverse cultural groups

Prince Edward Island – Grades 1–3 (Social Studies)

• Family traditions and celebrations • Cultural diversity in communities • Heritage and identity

Newfoundland & Labrador – Grades 1–3 (Social Studies)

• Cultural identity and heritage • Traditions and celebrations • Understanding diverse cultural groups

Yukon – Follows BC Curriculum

• Cultural diversity • Traditions, celebrations, and identity • Community heritage

Northwest Territories – Follows AB/BC Hybrid Curriculum

• Cultural identity • Traditions and celebrations • Heritage and community

Nunavut – Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit + Social Studies

• Family and community traditions • Seasonal celebrations • Cultural identity and heritage

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