First Settlements Student Activities

Find the sketch of the Habitation drawn by Champlain. Without tracing it, try to reproduce it.

Compile a list of the skills that would have been required to construct the Habitation at Quebec.

Imagine that you are Champlain, a very able mapmaker. Draw a map in 1608 of the areas you have explored and heard about - the St. Lawrence River, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Saguenay River, Stadacona, Hochelega, Lachine Rapids, Huron and Iroquois lands, Port Royal, and Tadoussac.

In 1609 in one of the earliest battles between aboriginal and French, Champlain used an arquebus. Research exactly what that weapon was. How do you think the aboriginals would have responded to its use? Why?

Conduct either a triad (affirmative, negative, and judge) or an entire class debate on the following resolution: Be it resolved that Samuel de Champlain rightly deserves the title of "father of New France."

Imagine that you are a journalist sent to interview Champlain. Compile a list of questions that you expect to ask him.

Research the building of the Habitation at Quebec. Using whatever material you have available, cardboard, balsa wood, etc., and think best, try to reconstruct the Habitation.

What specific lessons do you think Champlain learned from the experience at Port Royal that he successfully applied to Quebec?

Working in groups, write and present a short play about the difficulties and problems faced by the colonists at Quebec.

Canadian songwriters like Mike Ford and John Spearn have penned interesting songs about Canada's past. Write a song (or poem) extolling the accomplishments of Champlain.

Samuel de Champlain was an amazing man. Write a eulogy that you might have delivered after his death on December 25, 1635.

What was the first Habitation constructed with? Can you suggest reasons?

What buildings were built next? Can you suggest reasons why Champlain wanted them?

How might you think the aboriginal responded as they witnessed the completion of the Habitation? Explain.

n 1609 in one of the earliest battles between aboriginal and French, Champlain used an arquebus. Imagine you are a journalist told by your editor to write an article about that 1609 battle. What would that article look like?

What direction do you think the Habitation faced? Why? Can you suggest reasons for the sundial on the main building?

What does the building of the Habitation tell you about Champlain's concerns? Explain.