Orange Shirt Day Activities – Truth and Reconciliation Lesson + Reflection Questions
Meaningful Orange Shirt Day Activities for the Classroom
Looking for Orange Shirt Day activities that help students understand the history and meaning behind September 30?
This Indigenous-made Orange Shirt Day lesson introduces students to residential schools in Canada, generational trauma and the ongoing impacts of the residential school system. Students build important background knowledge before completing reflection questions about what they have learned.
Rather than focusing only on an Orange Shirt Day craft or worksheet, this resource helps educators provide meaningful, age-appropriate learning connected to Truth and Reconciliation.
Orange Shirt Day Lesson
Students will learn:
✦ The history and purpose of Orange Shirt Day
✦ What residential schools were and who attended them
✦ The experiences of Indigenous children within the residential school system
✦ What generational trauma means
✦ How the impacts of residential schools continue today
✦ Where residential schools were located across Canada
Maps and visuals are included to help students better understand the scope of the residential school system.
Orange Shirt Day Reflection Questions
After completing the lesson, students respond to reflection questions that encourage them to think more deeply about what they have learned.
The reflection activity can be completed independently, in small groups or as part of a larger classroom discussion.
An answer key is included to support educators when reviewing the questions together.
What’s Included
♡ Orange Shirt Day and residential schools lesson
♡ Student-friendly information pages
♡ Residential school maps and visuals
♡ Learning about generational trauma and ongoing impacts
♡ Orange Shirt Day reflection questions
♡ Answer key
♡ Print-and-go classroom resource
Truth and Reconciliation Learning for September 30
This resource can be used during the days leading up to Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.
It is especially helpful for educators looking for Truth and Reconciliation activities that combine history, discussion and student reflection.
The lesson can also be used throughout the school year when learning about residential schools, Indigenous histories and reconciliation in Canada.
Created by an Indigenous educator to help teachers approach Indigenous education with greater confidence, care and intention.
