Resources

We’ve used the backdrop of Pickering Museum Village, its buildings and artifacts to explain simple machines in a series of 7 videos. At the end of each is a challenge activity or two for students to do as a follow-up activity.

Force and Movement  |  Inclined Planes  
Levers  |  Screws  |  Wedges 
Wheels & Axels  |  Pulleys

Curriculum Connections:

Grade 2 Science and Technology – Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Movement

Grade 3 Science and Technology - Understanding Matter and Energy: Forces Causing Movement

Grade 4 Science and Technology review - Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Pulleys and Gears

Enjoy a brief introduction to some early settler information, and structures at Pickering Museum Village with these videos.

First Arrival
A quick lean-to or tent would have to do until the barn or shanty could be constructed.

Log House
Life was tight - and busy - in the first home, but where did a family of 10 sleep?

Blacksmith Shop
Early trades moved in as quickly as the settlers, and the blacksmith was a very important tradesman in the community.

We’ve developed an independent learning lesson in Prezi, exploring the UGRR, key figures, and local settlers.  We’ve added in primary source material for students to explore and provided tips on how to analyze the information.  In the end, we encourage students to use the evidence and decide: Was Pickering a stop on the UGRR?  This lesson is recommended as a pre-presentation activity for students before the Underground Railroad Virtual Live presentation takes place.

Grade 6 Curriculum Connections:

Social Studies: Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present A1.3, A1.4, A2.1, A2.2, A2.3, A2.4, A2.5, A2.6, A3.2, A3.3, A3.4, A3.6, A3.7, A3.10

Grade 7 Curriculum Connections:
History: New France and British North America, 1713–1800 A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A3.1, A3.3, A3.4, A3.6, A3.7, A3.8; Canada, 1800–1850: Conflict and Challenges B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B2.1, B2.2, B2.3, B2.4, B2.5, B2.6, B2,7, B3.1, B3.2, B3.3, B3.4, B3.5, B3.6

Grade 8 Curriculum Connections:
History: Creating Canada, 1850-1890 A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A2.1, A2.2, A2.3, A2.4, A2.5, A2.6, A3.1, A3.2, A3.3, A3.4, A3.5

Pickering Township was very involved in Wm. Lyon Mackenzie’s ill-fated attempt to overthrow the government in December 1837. With the help of our talented Backwoods Players volunteers, we’ve interviewed six key figures connected to the Rebellion of 1837, and Pickering in particular.  Learn details about the rebellion, straight from the lips of people who lived those times. These videos are recommended viewing as a pre-program activity prior to the 1837 Rebellion Live Virtual Program.

Wm. Lyon Mackenzie Interview Part One
Learn about Mackenzie’s early life, his immigration to Canada, and his growing move towards political reform. 

Wm. Lyon Mackenzie Interview Part Two
Discover how Mackenzie’s growing disillusionment with the “Family Compact” lead him to ask farmers to take up arms against the government, and what happened over the days of the uprising. 

William Allan Interview
The Family Compact was an interconnected ruling elite in Upper Canada, that exploited their position and influence.  Meet this member of the Family Compact’s and learn about his career, and his link to Pickering. 

Asahel Scott Interview
Many of the rebels were farmers, frustrated with the lack of government support.  Meet this young farmer, and learn what getting caught up in the rebellion did to him and his family - and why he wished he’d listened to his father.

Mrs. Mary Major Sleigh Interview
Not all Pickering settlers were rebels.  Some were sympathetic to reform, but were not in favour of an armed uprising.  The Major family were early settlers and remained loyal to the Tory government.  Mrs. Sleigh tells the story of her family’s position. 

Mrs. Hannah Smith Matthews
Mrs. Matthews was left to carry on the family farm and raise her children when her husband, Peter left Pickering to lead the Pickering rebels to the uprising.  Her story is one of perseverance and sadness.

Peter Matthews
Peter was one of Mackenzie’s “captains” in the armed uprising.  Few of Mackenzie’s top men were captured.  Peter was one of two men the government was able to arrest, and hold responsible for Mackenzie's traitorous actions.  Learn why he supported Mackenzie, and what it cost him.

Gr. 7 Curriculum Connections:
History: New France and British North America: 1713-1800 A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A2.1, A2.5, A2.6, A2.7, A3.1, A3.3, A3.4, A3.5, A3.6, A3.7, A3.8

Join the Museum’s Costumer for a look at changing fashion and social history tidbits. This is a fun series for students Gr. 7+ with an interest in lifestyle, and fashion history. 

Sontags and Shawls

1830s Fashion

Wardrobe Extenders

Baby It's Cold Outside

A Craving for Corsets

Cap This!

Fancy Dresses

The Costumes of Bridgerton

Curriculum links:

The Arts (Drama, Visual Arts)
History
Theatre Arts
Fashion Design

In this series of short videos we explore topics that peek into what life was really like in Pickering in the mid- to late 19th Century.

Hygiene
Learn what good hygiene in the 1850s meant!  You will be surprised to hear how often bathing, hair washing and teeth-cleaning were done.

Barn Raising
It took a community to raise a barn. Learn the social and the practical aspects of working together.

Cleaning
A woman’s work was never done, so they say.  Some chores were seasonal - find out more!

Courtship
Discover the differences, and the surprising similarities between dating now and in the 19th Century!

Health and Medicine
Doctors were not always trusted, and for good reason!  Many housewives relied on herbal remedies and patent medicines to treat their families.

Female Itinerant Preachers
The Bible Christians were one of very few religious groups that allowed women to preach.  Join us for a look at this extraordinary group.

Canning
Early canning practices could be dangerous!  Explore a brief history of food preservation.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies/ History