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ReaderReaderThe CanadianThe Canadian
Current Canadian events and issues for students in Grades 3 and up
Issue 4 • Sample Edition
4 Free Article: Drone Delivery – Coming Right Up!
6 Comprehension Check | 7 Language Focus8 Lesson Plan | 10 Organizer: The Pros and Cons of Drones
11 Map: Vancouver Island
Teachers serving teachers since 1990
Free Sample
Includes• A News Story • Lesson Plan • Organizer Subscribe to receive 2 additional articles, answer keys, & more!
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With a subscription, you’ll receive eight full issues. Each issue combines current Canadian events and issues with geography to expand students' knowledge of Canada while enhancing their ability to read and understand informational text. Three levelled news stories are accompanied by detailed literacy-based lesson plans, organizers, and criteria for assessment, as well as comprehension checks and a language focus.
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Current Canadian events and issues for students in grades 3 and up.
The Canadian ReaderThe Canadian Reader
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The Canadian Reader is a made-in-Canada
teaching and learning resource featuring
all-Canadian content. It has three main
components; use the entire package, or pick and
choose the pages that suit your class the best.
1. Literacy Focus – Th is generic lesson plan focuses
on seven key non-fi ction reading comprehension
strategies, presented in the following order:
Issue 1: Using Text Features
Issue 2: Making Connections
Issue 3: Visualizing
Issue 4: Asking Questions
Issue 5: Making Inferences
Issue 6: Determining Importance
Issue 7: Transforming/Synthesizing
Issue 8: Reading Strategies Review and Assessment
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the issue, or save it for another time or text.
2. Canadian news stories – Each of the three articles
is leveled and accompanied by Comprehension
Check questions, a Language Focus, and a
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engage reluctant readers and build students'
background knowledge in a fun and graphic way.
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Article • Issue 4 The Canadian Reader 3
Drones are not yet making regular deliveries
in Canada. But it may not be long now.
In August, a drone made a test run. It travelled
from Vancouver Island to nearby Salt Spring
Island – a six-kilometre fl ight. It fl ew at
50 kilometres per hour, 75 metres above the
ground. Th e drone carried emergency medical
supplies. It arrived eleven minutes later.
Meanwhile, Edmonton’s airport is
preparing for drone deliveries. It is
adding drone take-off and landing zones.
Th e drones will fl y to places in western
and northern Canada. Th ey should be
cleared for take-off by early next year.
What is a drone?A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Drones are already quite common. For
instance, people use them to take aerial photos
and videos. Or they fl y them as a hobby.
Drones can also be used to make deliveries.
Th at’s especially handy for places that
are diffi cult to get to by vehicle. Remote
hospitals or mining camps, for example.
Drones can be small or large. Small ones
carry up to fi ve kilograms of cargo. Large
drones could transport machinery.
An operator controls the drones remotely.
Th ey contain cameras and sensors. Th e
Drone Delivery – Coming Right Up!
What’s that buzzing sound? It sounds like a swarm of
bees. It’s getting closer! Aha – it’s a drone coming in for
a landing. It’s making a delivery. Right on schedule!
Article • Issue 4 The Canadian Reader 4
Article • Issue 4 The Canadian Reader 5
drones can adjust their route depending
on the weather. Th ey can detect obstacles
such as electrical wires or helicopters.
Th ey can alert nearby pilots that
there’s a drone in their airspace.
New technology, new rules Drone technology is improving all the time.
Companies are eager to start using them for
deliveries. London Drugs, for instance, wants
to deliver prescription medications by drone.
In other parts of the world, drones are already
hard at work. In Africa, they transport
vaccines, drugs, and blood to rural hospitals.
In Iceland, they deliver take-out food to
places that are hard to get to by car.
So what’s the hold up in Canada?
Government regulators. Th ey need to be
sure drones are safe. Th ey don’t want the
machines falling out of the sky. Th ey don’t
want collisions with other aircraft .
Current regulations say that a drone must be
within sight of its operator at all times. Th at’s
not possible for a drone delivery service. So
regulators need to fi gure out new rules.
Experts say we also need an air traffi c control
system for drones. It would alert drones
to other drones fl ying nearby. Th ey might
need to adjust their fl ight paths to avoid
collisions. Th e more drones there are in an
area, the more important that will be.
So Canada is not quite ready for drone
deliveries. It’s probably coming, though.
Some day, your package might not be
delivered to your door by a delivery truck.
It might be delivered by a drone!
For what reasons are you in favour
of drone deliveries? For what
reasons are you against them?
Edmonton airport is patrolled by robirds. Robirds are drones painted to look like falcons, with flapping wings.
They scare other birds away from planes' flightpaths.
Name: Date:
Comprehension Check
Write the letter of the best answer in the space beside each question.
1. What is a drone?
a) An airplane.
b) A delivery truck.
c) An unmanned aerial vehicle.
d) An unmanned terrestrial vehicle.
2. Who controls a drone?
a) A pilot in the drone. b) An operator on the ground.
c) Airport traffi c control. d) No one controls a drone.
3. What can drones transport?
a) Medical supplies. b) Machinery.
c) Take-out food. d) All of the above.
4. Where was a drone delivery test run made in August?
a) Between Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island.
b) Between Edmonton and northern Canada.
c) Between a hospital and a mining camp in western Canada.
d) Th ere hasn’t been a test run yet.
5. What are Canadian regulators most concerned about
when it comes to drones?
a) Money issues. b) Health issues.
c) Safety issues. d) Th ey do not have any concerns.
Drone Delivery – Coming Right Up!
Article • Issue 4 The Canadian Reader 6
Drone Delivery – Coming Right Up!
Name: Date:
Language Focus
Connect the words with their defi nition.
Now use three of these words in your own sentences.
1.
2.
3.
regulator
obstacle
regulation
unmanned
rural
sensor
piece of equipment that reacts to changes in heat, light, etc.
operating in the air
an offi cial rule
an object that is in the way
an accident in which a vehicle crashes into something
a person who makes sure rules are followed
lacking a crew
collision
relating to the countryside aerial
Article • Issue 4 The Canadian Reader 7
Article • Issue 4 The Canadian Reader 8
Before Reading: Facilitate a Th ink-Pair-Share discussion, asking students to talk about drones (e.g., What do they
know about them? How they are used?). If students have drones at home, you may wish to ask them
to bring their drones to school for a show n’ tell.
Read the title of the article aloud and invite students to predict what the article is about.
During Reading: Ask students to underline or highlight important facts about drones and drone delivery as they
read.
After Reading: Distribute to each student, or pair of students, a copy of Th e Pros and Cons of Drones (p. 27).
Direct them to use the article to record the advantages of using drones in the Pros column and the
disadvantages of using them in the Cons column.
When fi nished, invite students to brainstorm other potential uses for drones. Or, come up
with solutions to make drones safer. Allow them to write or sketch their ideas at the bottom of
their charts.
Criteria for Assessment: A creative solution is feasible (likely to work), unique (diff erent than other
ideas), and practical (solves a problem or brings about a positive change).
Extensions: Option 1: Design a drone safety poster
To learn more about the Canadian government’s rules on drone safety, direct students to the link
in Internet Connections. Ask them to use the information to design an informative poster for
kids outlining the basic rules for fl ying personal drones. As a class, learn more about poster design
before students create their own. Th e following online articles have helpful tips and examples:
• 10 Tips for Perfect Poster Design: https://designshack.net/articles/inspiration/10-tips-for-
perfect-poster-design/;
• 25 ways to design an awesome poster and create buzz for your next event: https://www.canva.
com/learn/25-ways-to-design-an-awesome-poster-and-create-a-buzz-for-your-next-event/
Microsoft Word and Canva have poster templates students can use to create their posters.
Option 2: Learn more about the history of drones
Students may be interested in learning about the history of drones. Th ere are several links listed
in Internet Connections. Invite them to record how drone technology has evolved over time by
focusing on features such as design and purpose. Have them speculate about the next evolution of
drones and create a blueprint.
Lesson Plan
Drone Delivery – Coming Right Up!
Article • Issue 4 The Canadian Reader 9
Internet Connections: Read more about this news story:
https://ca.fi nance.yahoo.com/news/the-skys-the-limit-the-world-leader-in-drone-delivery-is-
canadian-110046485.html
Watch a video about this news story:
https://globalnews.ca/video/6232104/delivery-by-drone-growing-in-remote-areas-before-cities
Learn about a Canadian company that designs delivery drones:
https://dronedeliverycanada.com/
Find out about the pros/cons of delivery drones:
http://grinddrone.com/info/pros-cons-delivery-drones
See what the Canadian government has to say about drone safety:
https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/aviation/drone-safety.html
Discover how drones are being used across diff erent industries:
https://www.gpsworld.com/uavs-take-fl ight-for-food-deliveries-runway-inspections-more/
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Prime-Air/b?node=8037720011
Learn how drones fl y:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bc2nuOuRjM
Curious about the history of drones? Check out these links:
http://www.personal-drones.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/History_of_drones_Infographic.png
https://buyinghints.com/2018/04/07/shopping-tips/it-product-gadget-tips/drone-not-just-only-
a-fl ying-robot/
https://www.dronetechplanet.com/the-history-of-drones-timeline-from-1907-to-2019/
Note: All URLs are posted as links at http://www.lesplan.com/en/links
Lesson PlanDrone Delivery – Coming Right Up!
Name: Date:
The Pros and Cons of Drones
Drone Delivery – Coming Right Up!
Pros (+) Cons (-)
Here are my creative ideas: ☐ Other uses for drones ☐ Ways to make them safer
Article • Issue 4 The Canadian Reader 10
Label the following, then colour:
Completing the following map assignment will help you to better understand the context of Drone Delivery – Coming Right Up! .
Map: Vancouver IslandMap: Vancouver Island
A good map is complete, accurate, and visually appealing.
Challenge: Locate Salt Spring Island on your map and colour it.
Th en, complete the key with your chosen colour.
Water bodies • Pacifi c Ocean
• Salish Sea
• Fraser River
Cities and Towns• Vancouver
• Duncan
• Nanaimo
• Port Alberni
• Tofi no
• Powell River
• Campbell River
• Port Hardy
Other• United States
• Vancouver Island
Province• British Columbia
Capital City• Victoria
Article • Issue 4 The Canadian Reader 11
0
100
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7550
25
KEY
Salt
Sprin
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Van
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Isla
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Clearly written, leveled Canadian
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grade 3 & up
grad
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A monthly current events resource for Canadian classrooms
Routing Slip: (please circulate)
September 2011
Level 2 (Grades 8, 9 and 10)
Europe, the U.S., and
Th e Economypage 14
Struggle for Survival in
Somaliapage 9
Cell Phonesin the Spotlight
page 20
Rick Hansen and
Many in Motion
page 3
Online interactive resource
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Routing Slip: (please circulate)
2019/2020: Issue 3
Levels 1 & 2 (grades 5 and up)
Hits the Road
SupremeTh e
Teen
BrexitTurkey
Vaping
Court
Versus
Syria’s Kurds
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2018/2019: Issue 8 Page 12
International
– City’s Heart Wounded by Flames
On April 15, Notre-Dame de
Paris caught fi re.
Th is medieval cathedral is
known throughout the world. It
was immortalized in the Victor
Hugo novel Th e Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
Horrifying sceneAn alarm rang at the cathedral
at 6:20 pm, but no fi re was
found. It sounded again
at 6:43 pm. Th is time, fi re
was discovered on the roof.
Worshippers attending the
evening mass were quickly
evacuated, and 400 fi refi ghters
raced in to battle the blaze.
Despite their eff orts, however,
the fl ames quickly burst through
the roof. Th ey engulfed the
spire, which collapsed. Shortly
aft er, the roof fell in, too.
A close callParisians and tourists watched
in shock as the famous landmark
burned. It took 12 hours to put
out the blaze.
Th e damage was severe. Two-
thirds of the 100-metre-long
wooden roof was destroyed. But
the façade, the two 69-metre bell
towers, and the main structure
remained. Th e cathedral’s
precious stained-glass rose
windows, though damaged, were
not destroyed.
Notre-Dame’s organ, one of the
world’s biggest and most famous,
also remained intact aft er the
fi re. Th e impressive instrument
dates to the 1730s and boasts an
estimated 8000 pipes.
Emergency workers also
managed to rescue many
valuable works of art and
religious items from the fi re.
Among them? Th e crown
of thorns, said to have been
worn by Jesus before his
crucifi xion, and a tunic worn by
engulf: to surround something in a way that destroys itesplanade: a long stretch of open level ground (paved or grassy) for walking along a waterfrontimmortalize: to make famous foreverintact: not harmed in any way by something that has happened
rose window: large circular window, usually glazed with stained glass, having stone tracery radiating from the center, oft en with intricate petal-like patternsspire: a tall tower at the top of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the toptunic: a long, loose piece of clothing with a belt and no sleeves, worn by people in ancient times
Th e island that houses Notre-
Dame is the true heart of Paris.
All distances in France are
measured from the esplanade in
front of the cathedral.
2018/2019: Issue 8 Page 16
Infographic
– City’s Heart Wounded by Flames
2018/2019: Issue 8 Page 21
International
– City’s Heart Wounded by Flames
QUIZ
A. Write the letter that corresponds to the best answer on the line beside each question:
______ 1. How long did it take to build the Notre-Dame cathedral?
a) 25 years b) 50 years
c) 100 years d) 200 years
______ 2. A stone statue of an ugly creature oft en found on old churches is called a:
a) serpent b) gargoyle
c) spire d) fl ying buttress
______ 3. How many tourists visited Notre-Dame in 2018?
a) 800,000 b) 2 million
c) 9 million d) 13 million
B. Mark the statements T (True) or F (False). If a statement is True, write one important fact to support it on the line below. If a statement is False, write the words that make it true on the line below.
______ 4. True or False? Notre-Dame cathedral is located on an island.
______ 5. True or False? Th e fi re that engulfed Notre-Dame was started on purpose.
______ 6. True or False? Th e French government does not plan to rebuild Notre-Dame cathedral.
C. Fill in the blanks to complete each sentence.
7. Notre-Dame is one of the best examples of French ______________________ cathedral architecture.
8. Th e Notre-Dame fi re burned the roof and engulfed the ______________________ which collapsed.
9. Notre-Dame cathedral is a UNESCO World ______________________ Site.
D. Respond to the following question in paragraph form. (Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary.)
As you see it, what is the signifi cance of the Notre-Dame fi re? Give reasons to support your response.
2018/2019: Issue 8 Page 42
Bayof
Biscay
NorthSea
English Channel
Atlantic Ocean
MediterraneanSea
LoireRiver
RhoneRiver
SeineRiver
GaronneRiver
Marseille
Lyon
ToulouseNice
StrasbourgParis
London
Amsterdam
Brussels(brown)
(orange)
(yellow)
(red)
(purple)
(pink)
(green)
(pink)
(green)
(red)
ITALY
SPAIN
GERMANY
FRANCE
NETHERLANDS
BELGIUM
LUXEMBOURG
UNITEDKINGDOM
SWITZERLAND
ANDORRA
NFrance
0 200 Kilometres15010050
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2018/2019: Issue 8 Page 22
Human rights groups around
the world report that China has
imprisoned up to one million
Uighurs living in China’s
Xinjiang region. Satellite images
and other evidence show a
growing number of detention
centres in Xinjiang, including at
least 44 high-security buildings.
Fake newsTh e Chinese government,
however, denies this accusation.
It is “completely untrue,” a senior
Chinese offi cial told the UN
last August. Th e centres have
been set up to teach lessons on
Chinese history, language, and
culture. Th ey off er ‘nutritious,
free diets’. Th e buildings are also
used as job retraining centres,
another offi cial explained.
However, China does admit to
cracking down on ‘extremist
activity’ among Uighur Muslims
in Xinjiang. It claims that
Islamic militants and separatists
are plotting attacks and stirring
up tension between Uighurs and
Han Chinese.
autonomous: freedom to govern or control its own aff airsdetention centre: jails where prisoners are held temporarilyextremist: far beyond the normHan chinese: China’s main ethnic group
perceive: to understand or think about something in a particular wayseparatist: a group that wants to form a new countrysoviet union: a former country of Europe and Asiaunderground: secretly working against an existing regime
International
– Terrorists or Victims?
China has the largest population in the world – 1.4 billion. Some 91.5
percent are Han Chinese; 8.5 percent are minorities.
Xinjiang is a territory in northwest China. It became part of China
in 1949. In theory the region is autonomous. In practice, the Chinese
government controls it.
Th e population of Xinjiang is 22 million. About 11 million are Uighur
Muslims who speak a language similar to Turkish.
Xinjiang’s traditional economy is based on agriculture and trade. But
the region is rich in oil and other resources, and the economy has been
developing. Th at’s prompted many Han Chinese from China’s eastern
areas to move to Xinjiang. Han Chinese now make up 40 percent of the
territory’s population. Many local Uighurs resent them because they
are perceived to get the best jobs.
Uighur communities also exist in neighbouring countries, such as
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Th ese countries used to be
part of the Soviet Union. But they gained independence in the 1990s,
when the Soviet Union collapsed. Th at inspired some Xinjiang Uighurs
to start a separatist movement. However, China’s harsh response to
these activities forced separatists underground.
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