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FOREWORD

"People must know the past to understand the present and face the future."
Nellie McClung

Historians divide the past into eras, epochs, ages and events, but history, like time and nature, knows only continuity.

Historia non facit saltum.
History makes no leaps.

With the following historical narratives, I have attempted to feature a few of these occurrences, along with the people who made them possible. They portray the stuff of history - rich detail regarding important incidents, actions, endeavours, that illuminate both the past and the present and depict the diversity of the Canadian experience. From "generations that have gone to dust and come to life again," one can learn about significant individuals across the centuries, who in their own way, played a part in the development of Canada, for things done in the past, produce the present and become our future.

The narratives chronicle an engrossing journey through history, foster a sharpened sense of awareness about these periods of our country’s past and provide a deeper understanding of the Canadian identity. The narratives pertain to such topics as First Nations,New France, France vs Great Britain in North America, United Empire Loyalists & the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the early settlement and subsequent development of Upper Canada leading to Confederation.

Cross-curricular literacy skills can be developed in all subjects and the narratives provide opportunities to develop reading, writing and oral communication skills. Review questions at the end of each narrative are intended to focus reading, stimulate thought and discussion and assist students to express their ability to understand directly and indirectly the insights, ideas and perspectives contained in the narratives. Questions attempt to elicit information pertaining to historical concepts, e.g. chronology - the scaffolding for historical thought - as well as cause and effect relationships.

History is emphasized throughout with definitions of history and information about history intended to promote a broader knowledge and greater appreciation of the subject itself. Included in the narratives are pictures, photograpshs, drawings, maps, charts and clip art, the latter used to reinforce the message in a light-hearted manner.

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