Tutoring Canadian geography, you might mention the Annapolis Valley. The tutor investigates the meaning of the name Annapolis. As a kid I spent three years in the Annapolis Valley. Typical of the Maritimes, it had beautiful summer and fall but …

Geography: what does Annapolis mean? Read more »

The tutor shares a term he discovered in the dictionary. Kabloona is an Inuit term referring to a non-Inuit; the term particularly suggests a white person. It has been used to describe white people present to do specific functions: police, …

Canadian language: what does Kabloona mean? Read more »

The phenomenon of the mild winter of Victoria, BC, compared to the much colder one of Halifax, NS, has a reason…. Typically, spring blooms begin in Victoria, BC, in February. I’m a Maritimer, so I can tell you that a …

Geography: Ocean currents: why Canada’s east and west coasts have such different weather Read more »

The tutor brings up a geographical curiosity. My interest has grown in lakes, rivers, ponds, etc – possibly because of the variety of plants that grow around their margins, or because of the fish that hope to thrive within them. …

Geography: Manitoulin Island and Lake Manitou Read more »

The tutor offers more reflections about his past experiences with Canadian weather. Here on the west coast today, it’s 8°C; we’re under a rainfall warning.  Subtropical air filled with moisture is sweeping over us; it’s typical west coast winter weather. …

Canadian weather: When February was the coldest month Read more »

The tutor has long been a student of the weather.  He shares his own definition and reflections about the coming of spring. People who read this blog commonly may realize that I live on Canada’s west coast, but haven’t always. …

Seasons: one Canadian’s definition of the first day of spring Read more »

The tutor introduces the third major forest soil type in Canada. Brunisols are found from BC to Quebec.  They often occur north of luvisolic or podzolic regions. Brunisols represent a transitional phase from parent material to soil.  They lie along …

Canadian geography: Soils of Canada, cont.: brunisols Read more »