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Sir John A. Macdonald
Canada's Patriot Statesman 
Educational Resources 
Activity 7
Build It (math, science and technology, visual arts)
Option 1
Students will make a monument to Sir John that captures a significant historical event or depicts him at a particular moment (e.g., Queen Victoria knighting him or Sir John on a train). The monument can be small, such as a diorama in a shoebox made with found objects, modelling clay and arts materials. Alternatively, the monument can be large, constructed from a wire frame and papier mâché or by stuffing dress-up clothes to make life-like mannequins.
Option 2
Students will build a replica of the first House of Commons to show what it looked like (i.e., without the Peace Tower and in the style of the buildings before the fire of 1916). Students can use popsicle sticks and modelling clay or plasticine; they can use cardboard and glue or tape and paint; or they can simply use a variety of smaller and larger boxes assembled together and painted with tempera paint. Students may also wish to incorporate any manner of scrap or found objects or art supplies to add dimension to the model.