Celebrating Ontario Day: Guidelines for Kindergarten to Grade 12
Learn how to plan Ontario Day activities using a guide that supports classroom learning about the province’s history, people and contributions.
About Ontario Day
Ontario Day takes place every year on June 1. Schools observe the day on June 1 or the preceding Friday if it falls on a weekend.
Ontario Day gives students time to learn about and celebrate Ontario’s history, milestones and contributions. It highlights how people and communities have shaped the province and encourages students to reflect on what it means to live in Ontario today.
About this guide
This guide outlines requirements and provides direction for school boards and educators on how to observe Ontario Day. It supports a consistent approach to Ontario Day activities across schools and aligns with provincial priorities for student engagement and well-being.
The guide includes:
- requirements for when and how schools observe Ontario Day
- criteria for selecting milestones and topics for learning
- expected outcomes for student learning and participation
- examples of activities schools can use to engage students
- sample lesson plans and additional resources for educators
Read the guidelines
Celebrating Ontario Day: Guidelines for Kindergarten to Grade 12
Additional free learning resources
Access free learning resources that support Ontario Day learning in classrooms or at home. Resources include lesson ideas, primary sources and interactive activities about Ontario’s history, civic institutions and diverse communities.
Celebrating Ontario’s History and Heritage
Learn how Ontario recognizes and celebrates its history and heritage. This page provides information about Ontario Day and highlights opportunities to learn more about our province and how to take part in celebrations across Ontario.
Archives of Ontario
The Archives of Ontario is one of the largest provincial archives in Canada and an important source of information about our history and our people
- For educators – lesson plans and primary sources: downloadable lesson plans using real archival documents, plus field trip and virtual workshop booking for grades 3 to 12.
- Online primary sources: photographs, maps and records you can use in the classroom right now.
- Black history resources: resource packs and primary source materials supporting meaningful learning about Black history in Ontario.
- Online exhibits: includes Hidden Histories: Ontario and the World Wars, Black Histories in Ontario and the James Bay Treaty.
- Archives of Ontario YouTube channel: hundreds of historical films from the archival collection.
- Archives of Ontario Flickr collection: hundreds of historical photographs organized by theme.
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario provides free programs and resources to help students understand Ontario’s democratic institutions, how laws are made and the history behind provincial decision-making.
- School programs at Queen’s Park: free in-person programs for school groups, accommodating up to 100 students per timeslot. Book online or contact tourbookings@ola.org.
- Teach, Learn and Play: games, quizzes, classroom activities and resources about Ontario’s Parliament and history.
- Make your own Coat of Arms: download the Coat of Arms activity sheet.
- How a bill becomes law: play this game and learn the legislative process.
Franco-Ontarian history
Ontario is home to one of the largest Francophone communities in Canada. The province’s French-language history stretches back more than 400 years and continues to shape Ontario’s culture, institutions and identity today.
- Franco-Ontarian history: explore the history, symbols and contributions of Franco-Ontarians, including the story of the Franco-Ontarian flag.