Materials featured in our workshops have strong connections to Ontario’s Social Studies, History and Geography, and Canadian and World Studies curricula—but educators teaching any subject, from the humanities to the sciences, are welcome and encouraged to book a session!

All workshops are free, run by experienced educators, and connect directly to the Ontario curriculum. Learn how to book a session below.

Introducing archives!

Session length: 30-40 minutes
Grade level: Junior (3-6)

Summary: This virtual workshop is designed as an introduction to archives and the role they play in shaping how we understand the past, geared towards young learners. 

In this session, students will: 

• Learn about the roles played by archives, and explore the Archives of Ontario
• Discuss how they remember, keep, represent, and store things from the past at home and in their communities
• Practice gathering and interpreting information from primary sources
• Practice making inferences, and developing questions as we examine material from the archival, art, and library collections

Learn how to book a session below.

Note: this session can be customized to connect directly to a specific topic or unit; please ask about tailoring your session when emailing reference@ontario.ca. 

Session length: 45-60 minutes
Grade level: Intermediate (7-8)

Summary: This virtual session builds on students’ understanding of primary sources, using archival materials to support their analysis of different perspectives and layered experiences from the past.

In this session, students will:

• learn about the role played by archives as a research tool, both online and in-person
• analyze primary sources from the archival, art, and/or library collections
• practice formulating questions about archival materials
• practice gathering and organizing information and evidence from primary sources
• take a virtual tour of the Archives of Ontario (optional)

Learn how to book a session below.

Note: this session can be customized to connect directly to a specific topic or unit; please ask about tailoring your session when emailing reference@ontario.ca. 

Session length: 60 minutes
Grade level: Secondary (9-12)

Summary: Whether for a school assignment or community project, information from the past can add depth to students' work—but where do they find it, and how will they assess their sources? This virtual session seeks to connect students’ understanding of primary sources with their own digital literacy and the basics of archival research.

In this session, students will:

• learn about using archives as a research tool, both online and in-person
• analyze primary sources from the archival, art, and/or library collections
• practice strategies for evaluating online sources
• discover some of the many career options available in archives 
• take a virtual tour of the Archives of Ontario (optional)

Learn how to book a session below.

Note: this session can be customized to connect directly to a specific topic or unit; please ask about tailoring your session when emailing reference@ontario.ca. 

•  For instructors with teacher candidate students, please refer to our virtual professional development sessions.

• For instructors whose post-secondary students would benefit from an orientation about using the Archives of Ontario’s collections and resources to conduct research, please email reference@ontario.ca to inquire about booking a virtual session with our Customer Service team.

• All our educational programming is offered free of charge!

• To book a virtual program for your students, please email reference@ontario.ca.

  Please note: your workshop is not finalized until you have received a written booking confirming from our education team.

• In order to offer an optimal workshop experience for all participants, we ask for a maximum of 30 students.

• Reservations must be made at least 1 week (7 days) before your preferred date and is subject to availability.

• If for any reason you are unable to attend your session, please inform Archives staff as soon as possible. 

• Virtual sessions can be offered wherever your class meets; our educators will join your group on whatever platform you already use. If necessary, the Archives of Ontario can set up a virtual session using Microsoft Teams.

• For general questions relating to classes and teaching, please email us at reference@ontario.ca.