If you are just joining us now, may I suggest that you visit these pages first –>
- A Trip Across Canada – Introduction To Our Unit Study – Week 1
- A Trip Across Canada – General Overview 0f Canada – Week 2
- A Trip Across Canada – Bonus Game.
Our first stop on our trip across Canada is beautiful British Columbia. If you have not picked up travel brochures for British Columbia yet, you can stop and do that now.
We are going to dive right in… but I thought that I would mention that there are so many things that I could share with you about British Columbia that we would spend all of our time here. I want to share about everything, but there just isn’t room. There still is probably way too much… but work at your own pace and find a groove that works for you. You can always come back later and cover what you missed.
Here are some questions to ask as you look at your detailed map. What ocean is to the left of British Columbia? What is the capital city? What island is Victoria located on? Name the two main rivers listed on the map.
You can download a detailed map of British Columbia here –>
On the blank map, you can have your student color it (however you decide). You can also have the student include important information on their map.
You can download a detailed map of British Columbia here –>
The leader of the province is called the Premiere. Visit the official website for the government of British Columbia. What is the name of the current Premiere?
You can find facts about British Columbia and Symbols of British Columbia.
British Columbia has its own flag. You can read about the flag here –>
You can print out a flag to color here –>
British Columbia has many provincial symbols. Here is a wonderful printable for your notebook.
British Columbia has a provincial mammal. The mammal is called the Spirit Bear or the Kermode Bear. You can visit these websites to read more about this bear that is only found in British Columbia.
- Fast Facts: Kermode Bear (here is a printable with basic information – Fast Facts: Kermode Bear)
- About the Spirit Bear
- Kermode Bear
- Kermode Spirit Bear
- Kermode Bear
- YouTube Video about the Spirit Bear
British Columbia has a provincial flower. The flower is called the Pacific Dogwood. You can visit these websites to find out more about this flower.
- Pacific Dogwood
- Pacific Dogwood
- Pacific Dogwood to color – with labels
- Pacific Dogwood to color – without labels
British Columbia has a provincial bird. The bird is called the Steller’s Jay. You can visit the following websites to find out more about this bird.
- Steller’s Jay
- Steller’s Jay
- Steller’s Jay
- Steller’s Jay to color – with labels
- Steller’s Jay to color – without labels
- Steller’s Jay Worksheet
British Columbia has a provincial tree. The tree is called the Western Red Cedar. You can visit the following websites to find out more about this tree.
- Western Red Cedar
- Western Red Cedar
- Western Red Cedar – printable information sheet
British Columbia has a provincial mineral. The mineral is called Jade. You can learn more about Jade by visiting these websites.
British Columbia has a provincial motto. The motto is splendour without diminishment and it is on the provincial coat of arms.
British Columbia has a provincial coat of arms and shield. You can learn more about them by visiting these pages.
- Coat of Arms – printable fact sheet
- The Coat of Arms of British Columbia
- Coat of Arms of British Columbia
- British Columbia provincial shield
- British Columbia coat of arms – coloring page
Create your own family coat of arms.
Another fun page for your notebook on British Columbia.
British Columbia has a provincial tartan. Here is an image of the provincial tartan. You can read more about the provincial tartan and other symbols in this PDF.
There are many different ways to get around in British Columbia. To learn more about the different types of transportation in British Columbia you can visit the following websites.
- BC Ferries
- BC Ferries – Web Cam
- Inland Ferries (very nice pictures of a variety of different ferries in British Columbia)
- BC Airports
- BC Transit
- Translink
- Highway Cams
Another important form of transportation in British Columbia and the rest of Canada has been by rail. This article gives an interesting history of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
There are many beautiful bridges in British Columbia. You can view a few of them by visiting these websites.
You can learn more about the weather in British Columbia by visiting these websites.
- Weather in British Columbia
- Weather Forecast
- Climate and Weather
- Weather and Climate in British Columbia
British Columbia has some amazing parks. There are too many to list, but you should get a good idea by visiting the following websites what kind of wildlife and scenery we have in British Columbia.
Did you know that we have volcanoes in Canada? Well, we do! You can learn more about the volcanoes in Canada by visiting the following websites.
- Canadian Volcanoes
- Volcanoes of Canada
- Volcanoes of Canada and the Western USA
- Volcanoes of British Columbia – a printable
- Prepare for a Volcano Hazards in British Columbia – a printable
- Types of Volcanoes
More information about the geography of British Columbia can be found here.
Just a few of the many things in British Columbia’s heritage to learn more about.
- Fort Steele
- Alberni Heritage Network
- BC Forest Discovery Centre
- Pandosy Mission
- Kettle Valley Steam Railway
- Barkerville
There are many lighthouses in British Columbia. You can visit these websites to see pictures and learn more about them.
- Photos of Lighthouses of British Columbia
- Lighthouses in British Columbia
- Lighthouses of British Columbia
- Lighthouses of British Columbia
- Fisgard Lighthouse
- British Columbia Lighthouses
- British Columbia Lighthouses
- Lighthouses in Canada
Just for fun you can look at all the styles of old British Columbia license plates and their history.
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. Victoria is located on Vancouver Island. To find out more information about Victoria, British Columbia, you can visit the following websites.
If you are interested in some extra mapping experiences, (number 3 above) has some PDF maps that would be perfect. They are listed on the right hand side under the heading Neighbourhood Maps.
The Legislature buildings are located in Victoria. Have a look around this website for more information and wonderful downloads.
- Legislature Buildings
- Self Guided Tour Book of the Legislature
- Legislature Buildings printable fact sheet
Royal British Columbia Museum has many pictures and resources on-line to help you learn more about the history of British Columbia.
Butchart Gardens is a local landmark and is celebrating its 106th year.
- Butchart Gardens
- The History of Butchart Gardens
- Butchart Gardens virtual tour
- Butchart Gardens printable map
More resources -
Have a look through all of your travel brochures for British Columbia. You will find many other interesting things to learn about including hot springs, glaciers, the Rocky Mountains, totem poles, orchards of the Okanagan, Ogopogo, and much more
What do you think of our studies so far?
Do you have anything that you would like to add?
We had lots of fun, thanks! The kids are picking out the Canada and BC flags everywhere and even BC’s coat of arms!
Lol!
Jennifer recently posted..Weekly Wrap-Up Week of January 5
Twitter: sunflowermommie
December 12, 2010 at 1:08 pm #
Hi Jennifer,
So glad you are having fun with your studies. I can’t wait to hear all about them.
Blessings
Honey