Orange Shirt Day Activity: Canadian History Lesson (2025)

Q: What is Orange Shirt Day and why is it important?

Orange Shirt Day is a Canadian day of remembrance that acknowledges the trauma and lasting impact of the residential school system on Indigenous communities. It is important because it raises awareness, honors survivors, and promotes reconciliation.

Q: How can I teach students about Orange Shirt Day using a graphic organizer?

You can use a 5Ws graphic organizer or a spider map to help students answer questions about who, what, when, where, why, and how related to Orange Shirt Day. This approach encourages critical thinking and helps students organize key facts visually.

Q: When is Orange Shirt Day observed in Canada?

Orange Shirt Day is observed annually on September 30th across Canada to recognize the experiences of residential school survivors and their families.

Q: What is the purpose of the Orange Shirt Day spider map activity for students?

The spider map activity helps students explore and summarize key facts about Orange Shirt Day by answering targeted questions and creating illustrations, fostering both understanding and empathy.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

Orange Shirt Day is a day in Canada to acknowledge the trauma of the residential school systems. In this activity, students will create a spider map that highlights important facts about Orange Shirt Day. By using a 5Ws graphic organizer, students can easily answer questions like who, what, when, where, and why. In this case, students may also answer the question "how?"

What is Orange Shirt Day?
When is it observed?
Where were Residential Schools and where is Orange Shirt Day observed?
Why was Orange Shirt Day created?
How do people honor Orange Shirt Day?

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a Spider Map highlighting important facts about Orange Shirt Day.

Student Instructions:

Click “Start Assignment”.
For each cell, answer the question with a 1-3 sentence description.
Create an illustration that represents each answer using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.

Requirements: Answers to 5 questions about Orange Shirt Day as well as appropriate illustrations for each.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: 5 Ws of Social Studies and History

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Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

5Ws & H Rubric

Create a spider map or chart that highlights 5Ws & H about the topic: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.

	Proficient 10 Points	Emerging 6 Points	Needs Improvement 1 Points
Description	The description is detailed and accurately answers the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How; clearly demonstrating student's thorough understanding.	The description is somewhat detailed and mostly answers the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How; demonstrating student's basic understanding.	The description is incomplete and does not answer the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.
Artistic Depictions	The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are appropriate to the topic. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative.	The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations.	The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are too limited or incomplete.
English Conventions	Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors.	Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors.	Storyboard text is difficult to understand.

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Lesson Plan Overview

What is Orange Shirt Day?
When is it observed?
Where were Residential Schools and where is Orange Shirt Day observed?
Why was Orange Shirt Day created?
How do people honor Orange Shirt Day?

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a Spider Map highlighting important facts about Orange Shirt Day.

Student Instructions:

Click “Start Assignment”.
For each cell, answer the question with a 1-3 sentence description.
Create an illustration that represents each answer using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.

Requirements: Answers to 5 questions about Orange Shirt Day as well as appropriate illustrations for each.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: 5 Ws of Social Studies and History

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

5Ws & H Rubric

Create a spider map or chart that highlights 5Ws & H about the topic: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.

	Proficient 10 Points	Emerging 6 Points	Needs Improvement 1 Points
Description	The description is detailed and accurately answers the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How; clearly demonstrating student's thorough understanding.	The description is somewhat detailed and mostly answers the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How; demonstrating student's basic understanding.	The description is incomplete and does not answer the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.
Artistic Depictions	The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are appropriate to the topic. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative.	The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations.	The art chosen to depict the illustrations such as scenes, characters and items, are too limited or incomplete.
English Conventions	Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors.	Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors.	Storyboard text is difficult to understand.

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How Tos about Orange Shirt Day

How to Facilitate a Meaningful Orange Shirt Day Discussion in Your Classroom

Encourage open dialogue by setting clear expectations for respect and empathy. Explain to students that everyone’s thoughts are valued, and it’s a safe space to share feelings and questions about Orange Shirt Day.

Introduce the topic with a relevant story or short video

Choose a brief, age-appropriate story or video that explains the history and significance of Orange Shirt Day. Visuals and personal stories help students connect emotionally and set the stage for deeper discussion.

Ask open-ended questions to prompt reflection

Use questions like, “Why do you think it’s important to remember Orange Shirt Day?” or “How can we support those affected?” to help students think critically and share their perspectives.

Encourage respectful listening and sharing

Remind students to listen actively when classmates are speaking, and to respond with kindness. Model respectful language and gently guide the conversation to keep it inclusive and thoughtful.

Wrap up with a reflective classroom activity

Invite students to write or draw a short reflection on what Orange Shirt Day means to them, or how they can honor and support Indigenous communities. Displaying their work helps reinforce the day’s message.

Frequently Asked Questions about Orange Shirt Day

What is Orange Shirt Day and why is it important?

Orange Shirt Day is a Canadian day of remembrance that acknowledges the trauma and lasting impact of the residential school system on Indigenous communities. It is important because it raises awareness, honors survivors, and promotes reconciliation.

How can I teach students about Orange Shirt Day using a graphic organizer?

You can use a 5Ws graphic organizer or a spider map to help students answer questions about who, what, when, where, why, and how related to Orange Shirt Day. This approach encourages critical thinking and helps students organize key facts visually.

When is Orange Shirt Day observed in Canada?

Orange Shirt Day is observed annually on September 30th across Canada to recognize the experiences of residential school survivors and their families.

What are some ways schools can honor Orange Shirt Day?

Schools can honor Orange Shirt Day by wearing orange shirts, hosting discussions on the history of residential schools, creating artwork, and inviting guest speakers from Indigenous communities.

What is the purpose of the Orange Shirt Day spider map activity for students?

The spider map activity helps students explore and summarize key facts about Orange Shirt Day by answering targeted questions and creating illustrations, fostering both understanding and empathy.