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Military History
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Thomas Dykes

An ABC of D-Day

This learning tool explores the Battle of Normandy, better known as D-Day.

It includes:
- An ABC guide to D-Day
- D-Day diary excerpts from Commander Desmond Piers
- Canadian Veteran's Poem
- Just-A-Minute interactive game
Military History
Thomas Dykes's profile picture Created by
Thomas Dykes

An ABC of the Battle of the Atlantic

This learning tool explores the Battle of the Atlantic from multiple points of view.
Included are:
- An ABCs guide to the Battle of the Atlantic with research prompts.
- First-hand accounts of the battle from a Navy Officer from Bristich Columbia, a Navy Bride from Ontario, and a German U-Boat officer.
- A game called Just-A-Minute.

Resources:

Andrew Irwin's story - The Memory Project

Iolanda "Vy" Connolly's story - The Memory Project

Werner Max Hirschmann's story - The Memory Project
Military History
Thomas Dykes's profile picture Created by
Thomas Dykes

An ABC of the Second World War

This learning tool explores the Second World War using multiple points of view.
Included are:
- An ABCs guide to the Second World War with research prompts
- A lyrical analysis activity
- Voices of War, a collection of war-time perspectives (Includes a long and short testimony of Squadron Leader George Stewart, DFC)
- A game titled Just-A-Minute
Military History
Thomas Dykes's profile picture Created by
Thomas Dykes

An ABC of Canada in the First World War

This learning tool explores Canada's role in the First World War.

Included are:
- A guide to using the learning tool
- An ABC of Canada in the First World War I with research prompts
- Two games titled A Family Affair and Just-A-Minute

Remembrance Through Making a Student Minute

One of the biggest criticisms our veterans have of “younger” generations is their lack of remembrance. One could argue that the reason younger generations struggle with the concept of remembrance is a lack of personal connection. The intent of this project is to make remembrance personal for the students by having them produce a Student Heritage Minute. The research that comes with this project brings the identity and character of the deceased soldier to the students first hand.

Aims

1....
Military History

Over the Top: Battle of the Somme


Overview


During World War I, trench warfare was used and often caused the momentum of the war to reach a standstill. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. At the Battle of the Somme, the allies sought to shatter the German trenches with a massive attack and win the war. The first day of this battle holds the record for the most losses in a single day.

Aims


To have students develop a better appreciation of the physical efforts made by soldiers when going "over the top." To get students out of...
Military History

War Gravesites as Expressions of Nationalism


Overview


When honouring our war dead, how do nations express nationalism and maintain the memory of the dead individually and/or collectively?

Aims


Students will gain an appreciation for how the forces of nationalism have shaped and continue to shape Canada and the world. They will explore a range of expressions of nationalism and develop understandings of nation and nationalism (in relation to land, geography, collectivism, citizenship, ethnicity, culture, languages, politics, spiritualism,...
Military History

Tell me a story: Childhood Memories of the Second World War


Overview


Students will interview relatives for their childhood memories of the Second World War. The relatives should have been near the ages of the students during the War. After the interview, students will provide a first person written account in postcard format with a prepared charcoal drawing or an archival photograph to represent the memoire. The students will learn interview techniques, creating a postcard, an art medium, and importantly family lore.

Aims


To learn interview...
Military History

Sir Arthur Currie


Overview


This lesson is based on viewing the Sir Arthur Currie biography from The Canadians series. Despite the many controversies surrounding his career, Currie was one of the most successful Canadian military leaders during the First World War.

Aims


The biography of Sir Arthur Currie is a good way to introduce the study of the First World War. Students will compare Currie to other military leaders and study several war poems.

Background


Sir Arthur Currie, or ‘Guts and Gaiters’ as he was...

Remembrance Day: Memories, Letters, Sacrifice

Aims


Students should:
- Know that democracy depends on the participation of the citizens
- Participate appropriately and effectively in groups
- Research for specific information
- Demonstrate an attitude of acceptance of diverse values
- Read, view and listen effectively to gather ideas and information
- Classify and present pertinent information in logical order.

Students should be able to :
- Present ideas clearly and at a rate that enables others to follow
- Explain personal viewpoint clearly
-...

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment


Overview


The Newfoundland Regiment suffered devastating losses at Beaumont-Hamel during the First World War. After this virtual annihilation, the Battalion was steadily brought back to full strength with the recruitment and training of new troops. The Newfoundlanders would go on to distinguish themselves in a number of important battles throughout the War including Gueudecourt, Monchy-le-Preux, Cambrai, and Bailleul. In recognition of their exceptional valour and skill, they were designated...

Write your own First World War Heritage Minute


Overview


Imagine you work for Historica Canada, and you have been tasked with writing the script for one of the popular Heritage Minutes.

Throughout your research (using the Lest We Forget project as a model), you have uncovered some interesting facts about someone from your own family/community who volunteered for Canada's Expeditionary Force in the First World War. This assignment has just gotten personal.

Your task, then is to use the information you've collected from this soldier's...

World War One Recruitment Posters


Overview


When Canada entered the First World War in 1914, men of all ages enlisted by the thousands. However, this zeal waned as reports of casualty rates arrived home. Recruitment posters were an integral part of encouraging men and women to enlist at all points between 1914 and 1918. They appealed to the many motivations for enlistment and used various propaganda techniques to achieve their goal. In this activity, students will examine reasons for enlistment, recruitment posters, and...
Military History

Raid on Dieppe


Overview


After the students have done some background reading on the Dieppe Raid, take the class to a beach to have a full discussion of the event and to participate in readings of soldiers' diaries.

Background


Introduce "The Raid on Dieppe" as it is traditionally presented using textbooks. Have students note descriptors use such as "fiasco" and "carnage." Have students read more recent representations of the raid that can be found at the Department of Veterans Affairs website and the Juno...

Snapshot in Time - A Wartime Memory


Overview


The focus of the project is for students to create a postcard from the past. The aim for students will involve three steps.
• First to interview a grandparent or great grandparent about a memory. This memory may express what life was like for them as a child or perhaps a wartime memory.
• Second will be to obtain a photograph of the grandparent or great grandparent that will be used on the postcard. This may be achieved using a photograph, scanned photograph or drawing.
• Third will be...

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