Prime Ministers of Canada Research Assignment

All prices are in Canadian dollars. 

Total Pages: 33 pages
Answer Key: Included with rubric
Teaching Duration: N/A
File Size: 2.58 MB
File Type: PDF (Zip)

Looking for a low-prep, high-engagement way to introduce your Canadian History or Social Studies unit? This Prime Ministers of Canada Research Assignment is a perfect way to spark student interest while developing research, presentation, and critical thinking skills. Ideal for middle school grades, this flexible resource works great for classroom lessons, independent study, or emergency sub plans!

In this interactive activity, students will choose (or be assigned) a Canadian Prime Minister to research using curated online sources. They’ll gather key facts, complete graphic organizers, and prepare a 1 - 2 minute presentation to share their learning with the class. It’s a student-led, teacher-supported lesson that fits seamlessly into your Canadian history curriculum.

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An additional assignment has been included where students can learn about: 

• The Difference in the Role of a Prime Minister Versus a President 
• The Senate
• The House of Commons, 
• The Difference Between a Province and a Territory 
• The Governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut

This additional assignment can ensure that each student (up to 29 students) has their own topic. 

This resource is designed for flexibility, whether you're teaching in person or virtually. It includes printable PDFs and Google Slides™ versions, making it easy to assign through Google Classroom™ or other digital platforms.

What's Included:

• Detailed Lesson Plan for easy implementation
• Student Assignment Sheets
• Research Links to guide students
• Graphic Organizers to support note-taking and comprehension
• Sample Answers to model expectations
• Assessment Options for evaluating student work
• Both Print & Digital Formats for classroom or online use

Save Money - Buy The Bundle

This resource is also included in the Canadian History Sub Plans Bundle. Leave these engaging and historically relevant activities with your supply teacher when you have to be out of the classroom. 

Perfect For:

• Canadian History or Government Units
• Middle School Social Studies
• Sub Plans
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• 1:1 Technology Classrooms
• Online or In-Person Teaching

Included Prime Ministers:

1. Sir John A. Macdonald
2. Alexander Mackenzie
3. Sir John J.C. Abbott
4. Sir John Sparrow David Thompson
5. Sir Mackenzie Bowell
6. Sir Charles Tupper
7. Sir Wilfrid Laurier
8. Sir Robert Laird Borden
9. Arthur Meighen
10. William Lyon Mackenzie King
11. Richard Bedford Bennett
12. Louis Stephen St-Laurent
13. John George Diefenbaker
14. Lester Bowles Pearson
15. Pierre Elliott Trudeau
16. Charles Joseph (Joe) Clark
17. John Napier Turner
18. Martin Brian Mulroney
19. Kim Campbell
20. Jean Joseph Jacques Chrétien
21. Paul Edgar Philippe Martin
22. Stephen Joseph Harper
23. Justin Pierre James Trudeau
24. Mark Joseph Carney

Why Teachers Love This Assignment:

• Ready-to-Use & Low Prep: Just print or assign digitally - everything you need is included, from lesson plans to assessments.
• Student-Centred Learning: Encourages independence, choice, and creativity while developing research and public speaking skills.
• Flexible for Any Schedule: Works as a standalone project, a unit intro, enrichment activity, or a reliable sub-plan.
• Curriculum-Aligned: Supports Canadian Social Studies and History standards in an engaging, accessible way.
• Perfect for Digital Classrooms: Includes both PDF and Google Slides™ formats for seamless integration with Google Classroom™ and other platforms.
• Promotes Critical Thinking: Students go beyond basic facts to analyze leadership, decision-making, and historical impact.

Teacher Feedback:

1. “Very great resource that I used in my classroom. Students were engaged and I would use again next year.”
2. “My students were engaged in finding out information about their particular Prime Minister.  It was a great opportunity to teach them to skim for information and create jot notes.  The clear explanation of expectations & rubrics were very helpful.  Students easily transferred their jot notes into ONE slide powerpoints that they shared with me for assessment and presentations.”
3. “Over the years, I've found that so many students in middle school do not know about many of the Canadian prime ministers.  This is a great way to give students the opportunity to find out more :)  Thank you!”

Help your students connect with Canada's political past and practice essential research and presentation skills - all with minimal prep!