🍁The Canada Mini Unit We Actually Finished (and Loved)
How This One Mini Unit Changed Our Approach to Geography
Real geography learning, no pressure, no overload!
We’re not a worksheet-heavy homeschool family. Which is funny, since I make and sell printables, but the truth is, the resources I create come from the belief that real learning happens beyond the page!
I’ve been the parent who printed a gorgeous, 40-page unit…
and then watched it sit on the shelf untouched. Too much. Too dry. Too disconnected.
Sound familiar?
That moment was the start of something bigger.
Our Canada unit was the one that changed how I teach.
🎯What We Did
While we used maps, learned the provinces, and colored the flag... we also used crafts, food, and books to take us on a journey!
We made a maple pie and Nanaimo bars, learned to sing the anthem, and studied about the Inuit and made soap carvings. We read about Wayne Gretzky, studied moose, and read books like Wow Canada!: Exploring This Land from Coast to Coast to Coast.
We even watched Dino Dan, which is set in Canada and showcased the flag and landmarks from time to time.
Most of that happened outside of "school time" and so... most of our geography learning happened outside of it too.
Here you can see my daughter beginning making Canadian flags with handprints, you can see her brothers' as well!
Why It Worked
Learning this way helped my kids feel connected to what they were learning because this wasn’t about memorizing a map.
My kids connected with Canada because it felt real. They could taste it, hear it, laugh through it, and a decade later… they still remember what they learned.
Just a heads-up: The book link above is an affiliate link. I only ever recommend products I’d genuinely use with my own kids or students. Thank you for supporting this small business in such a simple way.
✨ If You’re Teaching Canada
Whether you’re a homeschool parent or a classroom teacher, the magic is in how you make it matter.
I’ve taken what we did, and what I’ve used with my online students, and built a printable mini unit hat brings Canada to life in a simple, doable way.
It includes:
🍁 A coloring fact sheet for gentle knowledge building
🌏 A full-page labeled map for visual learners
🎏 A printable flag activity to reinforce symbols and meaning
🎨 A hands-on craft that connects to Canadian culture
🎮 Access to an online Kahoot game for fun review
🎓 A certificate of completion to celebrate your learners
This 3–5 day unit is meant to fit into real life, no over planning, no pressure. Just real learning, made approachable.
🥞 Just Want Something Simpler?
If you’re looking for a more bite-sized way to explore Canada…
Try the free mini starter pack, which includes:
- The map coloring page
- The certificate of completion
Pair it with:
→ Pancakes with maple syrup
→ A spin of the globe
→ A quick listen to the Canadian anthem
...and you’ve got a gentle, memory-making intro to Canada in under an hour.
👉 Download the FREE Mini Unit Here
🌎 North America Series Coming Soon…
This is part of my Excited Explorers series, a gentle, printable-based geography path across every continent.
I’m building this full Excited Explorers series because this is how we did it, one country at a time, one story at a time. The printables came later. The connection came first.
I'm starting with:
🦅USA • 🍁 Canada • 🦜 Mexico
Then moving into:
🌴 Central America • 🐬 The Caribbean
And eventually… every country in the world.
If you’d like early access, behind-the-scenes updates, or occasional freebies,
you can join the waitlist here!
Because real learning doesn’t have to be complicated.
Print a few pages, pour some syrup, and enjoy the conversation.
🍎 Mrs. Bettina
@teachermrsbettina