Lesson

Title/Fo
cus

How did Edmonton become

Albertas capital city?

Cours
es

Students will explore how and

why Edmonton became the
capital of Alberta

Social 4
40 min
Date:

OUTCOMES
4.2.1 appreciate how an understanding of Albertas history, peoples and stories
contributes to
their own sense of belonging and identity:
recognize how stories of people and events provide multiple perspectives on past
and present events (I, TCC)
4.3.2 assess, critically, the challenges and opportunities that Alberta has faced in
its growth and
development by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and
issues:
What led to Albertas joining Confederation? (TCC, PADM)
4.S.4 demonstrate skills of decision making and problem solving:
use graphic organizers, such as mind mapping/webbing, flowcharting and outlining,
to present connections among ideas and information in a problem-solving
environment
4.S.8 demonstrate skills of oral, written and visual literacy:
organize and present information, taking particular audiences and purposes into
consideration
create visual images for particular audiences and purposes
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson students will
- be able to discuss (comprehension) the reasons for Alberta joining confederacy
- be able to understand the important of name when creating a province.

be able to understand the importance of location when choosing a capital city.

have provided rationale for their decisions in the form of a postcard.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Pencils, crayons, markers

Powerpoint of potential capital cities
Postcard handout
TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT/ CONSIDERATIONS
Have a printout of sideshow in the case that the SMARTboard is not available for usage.
Information contained on the slideshow can be read to students instead.

PREPARATION AND LOGISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Students sit in 4-desk pods.
Have a model postcard to show students.
INCLUSION
Teacher will pay special attention to students who struggle with reading, and encourage
their pods mates to help them if needed.
PROCEDURE
INTRODUCTION

TIM
E

Before 1905 Alberta was not province. Why do you think it become a province?
- Growing towns and cities need for services (roads, schools, etc.)
- Started collecting taxes, but even that was not enough
- If Alberta became province it would not need to ask the government of Canada
for money every year
- Would give Alberta control of its own resources

510
min

BODY

TIM
E

Students will decide the best name for the new province and its capital. They will
create and design a postcard explaining their choice.
Two decision to make:
1) What to name the new Province?
- What might make a good name for a Province?
- Frederick Haultain wanted the name to be Buffalo? Why?
- Alberta, to honour Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (Daughter of Queen Victoria
of England and Canada)
2) Which city to choose as the capital?
- Options: Calgary, Red Deer, Banff, Vegreville, Wetaskiwin, Edmonton
- What might make a city a good option to be a capital? (ex: Largest/ most
important, Already established (industry), Central location, Ability to
understand the whole region )
Teacher will use a power point to explore each place and give students the
background knowledge to make a decision. A summary of the information will be
displayed on the last slide for students to reference as they work.
Students task is to create a postcard in which they decide what the name of the new
province should be and what its capital should be. Briefly explain both choices on the
back. Design the front of the postcard with name of the city and province.
Ask for students to repeat back instructions to ensure they understand the task.
Student 3 from each pod to come get postcard handout sheet.

20 30
min

Formative Assessment: Observations & Conversations

- Choose five students to collect anecdotal note on- ensure that you observe
them at least three time
- Teacher is assessing that students are on task and that they are thinking
critically using provide information to rationalize their decisions.
CLOSURE
Students gather postcards in a pile at the front of the room- tidy up any supplies
used.
Formative Assessment:
Whole class tally of provincial name chosen and capital city.
Ask students to explain their choices.
ASSESSMENT
Collect students postcards
- Determine if more time needs to be spent on this activity
- Assess students understanding of concepts

Teaching notes:
What
-

to name the new Province?

What might make a good name for a Province?
Frederick Haultain wanted the name to be Buffalo? Why?
Alberta, to honour Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (Daughter of Queen
Victoria of England and Canada)

Which city to choose as the capital?

- What might make a city a good option to be a capital?
- (ex: Largest/ most important, Already established (industry), Central
location, Ability to understand the whole region )
Calgary:
- post of the North-West Mounted Police
- commercial and agricultural center,
- Southern Alberta
became a city in 1894
Red Deer:
- Established 1882 as a trading post
- Central Alberta
- half way between Calgary and Edmonton
- fertile land
- Became a town in 1901.
Banff:
- Alberta Rockies
- settled in the 1880s after the transcontinental railway was built through the
Bow Valley

TIM
E
510
min

- Became popular because of it natural hot springs

Vegreville:
- A large percentage of the is of Ukrainian Canadian descent and it is home to
the world's largest Ukrainian Easter egg
- Became a town in 1906
Wetaskiwin:
- 70 km south of Edmonton,
- stagecoach stop between Calgary and Edmonton,
- town in 1902
Edmonton:
- Central Alberta
- on the North Saskatchewan River
- fur trading post
- Largest community at the time; city in 1904