Part One: Warm Up
- Think of one event from the past school year — in Canada or the world — that left a strong impression on you.
- Write down your thoughts, then share them with the rest of the class.
- Now read the summary The Year That Was (Sept. 2024 – May 2025) regarding the major events that transpired last school year.
Part Two: Summarize
- After reading The Year That Was (Sept. 2024 – May 2025), briefly summarize the main threads (here’s a start):
- U.S.–Canada relations (Trump’s threats, trade conflict, sovereignty concerns)
- National unity and regional tensions across provinces
- Environmental-economic intersections, especially relating to regional priorities like in Alberta vs. BC/Quebec
- Discuss why these themes feel especially relevant to your school and community.
Part Three: Discuss
Divide into small groups (3–4 students each). Using post-it notes or cards, write down the following:
- Identify one major trend from the past year that could continue or evolve (e.g. political tension, economic debate, environmental policy shifts, etc.).
- Predict one possible scenario for that trend in the coming school year — either positive or negative.
- Write their scenario in a single sentence and stick it on a board with everyone else’s thoughts
Part Four: Share
- Walk around the board where are the scenarios are posted and read each other’s predictions. Add brief comments or questions with a post-it/card (ex. “Interesting — but what if…?”) next to each prediction.
- Then, as a class, choose 3–4 predictions to highlight. For each, ask:
- What evidence or reasoning supports the forecast?
- What would make this prediction come true — or fail?
Part Five: Summarize
As a class, or individually reflect on the following questions:
- How might these predictions affect us in our community and our school?
- Attempt to predict what will happen this school year. How will we prepare and respond to this?
Part Six: Your Class
Select the class you are in and complete the following activity:
Social Studies
Policy Predictions
In groups, act as a “Future Government Cabinet.” Each group chooses one issue from the Nature Labs story (Canada–U.S. relations, regional divides, sovereignty, environment).
Propose one policy decision your “government” might make this school year in response, then predict the possible outcomes (positive and negative).
Present as a quick role-play press conference or poster.
English
Headlines of the Future
Write a short news article or opinion piece dated June 2026 (end of this school year), predicting a major event that shaped the year.
You must include a clear lead, a quote (real or imagined), and an explanation of how the event connects to trends from last year.
Why not turn the responses into a “front page” display with bold headlines around the classroom. Check back at the end of the year!
Visual Storytelling
Visual Forecast
Create a poster, collage, or digital artwork titled “The Year Ahead.”
Using imagery, colours, and symbols, represent one prediction for the school year (e.g., environmental change, political tensions, technological growth).
Encourage metaphorical visuals — e.g., a cracked bridge between provinces to represent unity tensions, or a wildfire reborn as new growth to symbolize resilience.
Science
Scientific Futures
From the story’s natural themes, pick one scientific angle (biodiversity, energy policy, technological innovation).
Research (or brainstorm prior knowledge) what scientific discoveries, challenges, or debates might happen this year.
Create a short “Science Forecast Report” — one paragraph + a simple infographic (hand-drawn or digital) explaining the prediction.
Careers
Future Me in the News
Imagine yourselves in June 2026 being interviewed about how the year unfolded.
Write a short “Q & A interview” about:
- What role you played in school or community life,
- What challenges you overcame,
- What success you achieved.
Connect your predictions to personal growth and career development (ex. leadership, teamwork, resilience).