Teacher's material for this series is being prepared and will be posted here shortly. The following letter introducing this series to teacher's was written by Allan Hux, the District-wide Coordinator, Social, Canadian & World Studies:

Date: September 5, 2000

To: School Principals and Teachers of Grades 7 -10

From: Allan Hux, District-wide Coordinator, Social, Canadian and World Studies

Re: 3 Part Television Series, "Toronto: City of Dreams"

White Pine Pictures has developed a 3 part television series on the History of Toronto that is being shown on CTV during September. Curriculum Department staff has had an opportunity to preview this series and highly recommends it to teachers and students in History and Geography in grades 7, 8, 9 and 10. The three shows will support many expectations in The Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies Grades 1 to 6, History and Geography Grades 7 and 8 and The Ontario Curriculum: Canadian and World Studies, Grades 9 to 10. The series provides a mix of interesting historical reenactments and interviews with experts on the history and development of Toronto. The roles of immigrants, women, entrepreneurs, professionals and politicians are explored in each episode.

Although we would recommend that teachers and students view all 3 parts of the video, the curriculum match to the schedule of shows is as follows:

To inform students and their parents of this educational program, White Pine Pictures has produced a simple postcard with the dates and times of the shows. These cards are being shipped to the schools and we have done our best to estimate the numbers of teachers and students in each school in these grades.

We would like to ask Principals to share these postcards with their teachers and would suggest that History and Geography teachers distribute the postcards to the students in their classes where they can present the series in context and build on these programs in their future lessons during the school year. If you or your teachers have any questions, please contact the Instructional Leaders responsible for your area. Thanks for your cooperation and support; hope you enjoy the shows.

- Allan Hux
District-wide Coordinator, Social, Canadian and World Studies

HOME