KIDS CULTURE CORNER
Canada
Do you know the capital of Canada? View the map!

In some provinces of Canada, only English is spoken; in others, French is the dominant language. Although Canadian French differs somewhat from the French spoken in France, you can use these easy activities to learn a little French. You will find information, quizzes, pictures to color and French- English and English-French picture dictionaries.

Here is a recipe for a dessert that is great to accompany Christmas Dinner.
Mix Together
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup warm milk
Add
- a few drops artificial vanilla
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup coconut
- 6 tbs cocoa
- 1/2 – 1 cup raisins
- Mix well and form into balls on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Place in fridge till chilled.
Submitted by Melissa Cleasby from Canada, au pair in Massachusetts 2004

Children’s songs and nursery rhymes from Canada, in both French and English, can be found here!
If you already speak French, you may enjoy these rhymes and songs!

The most eastern province of Canada, Newfoundland, is famous for its stories of encounters with fairies. These “little people” or “good people” are small and sometimes bearded. The stories say they appear when people are out berry-picking, outside near their homes, or walking in the woods. The fairies are full of laughter, and sometimes people say they cause unusual things to happen. Can you make up your own fairy story?

Canada was named by the French explorer Jacques Cartier in the 1500s. “Kanata” means village or settlement in the Huron-Iroquois language, the language spoken by the natives who gave Cartier directions. Learn more about Jacques Cartier and others who explored Canada.

Learn about Canada Day, July 1, by checking out the seasonal calendar.
Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Why do you think these countries share the holiday?
Part of the tradition of Boxing Day is giving money and other gifts to people who are in service jobs. No one knows for sure when or how the holiday started. What do you think? Hint: Hundreds of years ago the wealthy people who lived in England had their servants work on Christmas to make and serve the holiday meal.
The holiday has nothing to do with the sport of Boxing, but it probably has something to do with how gifts are given, or where people put money for needy families when they go to Church.