February

Crossing Borders, Removing Barriers is a free resource for teachers.

“Low Yuet Wing was the first of the Lowe family to arrive in Canada in 1913 from Toishan, Guanghai, China. Without any family abroad, he sailed across the Pacific, likely with mixed emotions of fear and excitement. As the Gold Rush of the 1870’s generated lots of hope for him escaping poverty and war in China, the allure of opportunity in the West (known as “Gum Shan” or “gold mountain”) was very appealing as he was sent abroad to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway.”

Based on the real life story of the Great Grandfather of Lorraine Lowe, Executive Director of Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden, it highlights issues surrounding early Chinese immigration to Canada as experienced through his eyes.

This resource is based around the BC Social Studies curriculum and is aimed at Grade 5 level but with options for extension questions for higher grades.

There are 3 lessons:
Lesson 1: Early Chinese Immigration

Lesson 2: Life in Canada

Lesson 3: Human Rights

PLease see our website for more details and to download the resource. 

https://vancouverchinesegarden.com/schools/history-and-immigration/crossing-borders-removing-barriers/

Classroom kit also available!
 

September 16, 2024-June 27, 2025

Discover the interwoven worlds of math and art. Using tessellations as a foundation, each workshop explores pattern making and mathematical elements of design. Workshops examine the artwork of Coast Salish contemporary artist Dylan Thomas, and how he has connected math and geometry to his art practice.

Curriculum tie-ins: Art Education, Indigenous Art, Earth Science, Math, STEAM

The River Champions outreach program is available for students in grades 3-12, located in schools within the Fraser River Basin boundary. 

Grades 3-5  

Students explore the basics of climate science and river processes. Using a stream table model, students model different climate change scenarios and design infrastructure that could mitigate the damage caused by climate change. 

Grades 6-12  

Students discuss connections between climate change and land management practices, both traditional Indigenous and current industrial. Using a stream table model, students model different climate change scenarios and design infrastructure that could mitigate the damage caused by climate change. For the optional action project, students research how their communities may be susceptible to extreme weather events and climate change, and present their findings using ArcGIS Story Maps. A follow-up online workshop connects students to knowledge holders.

We’re a proud partner of GenAction; a national initiative designed to inspire youth to become innovative leaders in climate action now, and into the future. Visit GenAction for details.

Click here to book!

Uncover the social science of archaeology by investigating artifacts from the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, Egypt, China, Greece and Rome. Students work in teams to do a simulated field dig and analyze artifacts to formulate and test their hypothesis. Learn about three prominent Northwest Coast archaeological sites and related archaeological findings. Using traditional First Nations belongings, examine the role and limitations of archeology when studying the cultures and traditions of the First Nations.

Explore c̓əsnaʔəm: the city before the city through a scavenger hunt activity based on the Big Six Historical Thinking Concepts. Learn about the impacts of colonization on the Musqueam First Nation and their resilience in the face of assimilation. Through Object-Based Learning, examine the impacts of colonial practices and policies on various aspects of First Nations traditions, languages, and cultures, and examples of reconciliation today.  

Invite OWL (Orphaned Wildlife) Rehabilitation Society to join you in your classroom to learn about the amazing species of raptors that call BC home, the features and adaptations that make them unique, their life cycles, and about the dangers they face and how you can help. You also get the chance to meet some of OWL’s Raptor Ambassadors up close in person! Each program will be focused to each grade level that is participating.

Have a specific topic in mind? We are more than happy to work with you to make the program you are looking for. Some popular requests include focusing on a specific species, such as owls or just hawks, life cycles, or food chains.

https://www.owlrehab.org/education/in-class/

These art activities are inspired by the symbolism and architecture of a Chinese garden and allow students to explore CHinese symolism and our beautiful leak windows to create artwors of their own. 

This activity can be adapted easily to the age of the students and the time available in class.

Options: 

• Framing Views: https://vancouverchinesegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/FramingViews.pdf
• Exploring Chinese Symbols: Bats https://vancouverchinesegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/Exploring-Chinese-Symbols-1.pdf