Historica Canada Education Portal

Students often experience difficulty in mastering the precise vocabulary used in social studies and history courses. Faced with this difficulty, they are sometimes reluctant to ask for clarification of the terms used. The result is a loss of learning opportunity. Here is a way of clarifying those concepts and literally keeping them in the forefront of the students' minds. It is based on one of our oldest educational learning tools... remember how you learned your ABC's.

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This lesson is based on viewing the William Aberhart biography from The Canadians series. Former school principal turned Baptist preacher, William Aberhart took Alberta politics by storm in the 1935 election. During the Depression, his promise of a $25 dividend to every citizen struck a winning note for his recently created Social Credit Party. His schemes didn't pan out, but his party ruled Alberta until 1971.

With writing, debates, and role-playing activities, students will be...

The teacher will ask the students to research how different groups of Canadians were affected by Canada’s participation in the Second World War. Students will then create a journal that follows the life of a fictitious Canadian before, during and after the war. Although the students will be creating a piece of fiction, the journals they write must be historically accurate and make reference to historical events. The teacher will assign, or allow students to choose, their character...

An exploration of different points of view of Canadians during the First World War.

Students will be able to explain the causes of the First World War and how Canada became involved. Students will be able to analyse the effectiveness of propaganda posters and create one that represents a specific point of view.
Visually and in writing, students will be able to express a point of view from a specific group of Canadian people during the First World War.

Time Allowance:...

The students will be analyzing the organization of the Canadian Army. Students will be able to identify the basic command structure and composition of the Canadian Army for both the First and Second World Wars. They will perform a platoon maneuver according to specific objectives in this lesson they will attempt to re-enact the Vimy Glide that was used during the First World War.

Students should become more familiar and comfortable with understanding the different units and...

This lesson is based on viewing the "Two Gun" Cohen biography from The Canadians series. The video combines both the biography of a unique Canadian, Morris Cohen, with a history of modern China. Cohen, was an outcast and criminal within Canadian society, but he made a significant global contribution as Dr. Sun Yat-sen's personal bodyguard and close friend.

Students will study the story of "Two Gun" Cohen to learn more about a variety of themes in Canadian and World history....

This lesson is based on viewing the Ruby Keeler biography from The Canadians series. Keeler was an actor and performer who made her film debut in 42nd Street, which kicked off a string a musical hits in the 1930's starring Keeler.

In a variety of creative and role-playing exercises, students will examine Keeler's contributions to the art world, and reflect on the times in which she lived.

Ruby Keeler was born on August 25, 1910 in Halifax, NS and immigrated with her...

Students will research and examine the qualities of a past or present hero in Canada. They will develop a personal definition of a hero, while working on a project that represents a Canadian Hero. Students will be provided with a project framework to guide them through the research process. After completing the research framework each student will represent their hero in their choice of medium. Projects can range from electronic, video based, posters, to drama and song.

•Examine...

The impact of the First World War and the Second World War on artists and the art they produced cannot be denied. Along with everything else in Western society, the creators of art and the art they created post-war were much different than anything that had come before 1914. This lesson is about the depiction of war and its aftermath by artists affected by the conflicts. They may or may not have been participants.

To have students understand the nature of the art produced...

Students learn more of the First World War by way of a study of the Canadian, British, and American soldier poets that served in France and Belgium.

Students will search and read the poetry of their soldier poet. It is hoped that they will choose a poem or two that appeals to them and ones in which they can examine word choice, imagery, mood, and figurative language. The pair of students will research and write a biography of their soldier poet. The aim here is that the students...

In this lesson students recognize symbols as Canadian, they present their significance, and find its place in the Coat of Arms of Canada.

To familiarize students with symbols and what they represent, to develop an awareness of self, group, and Canada.

Students will:

- Research the significance of symbols found in the Arms of Canada.
- Develop research skills to investigate the meaning of each symbol.
- Present orally the findings of their research.
- Locate the position of each...

This lesson introduces technology used in the First World War in an interactive and fun way. Students will learn what weapons were important in trench warfare.

Students will work collaboratively to identify and "acquire" weapons they think would have been most effective.

This lesson is normally presented after the students have been introduced to the causes of the First World War. However, the actual conditions of trench warfare have not been discussed - their choices...

This lesson will introduce the students to the role of the stretcher bearer in the First World War. Often it is the soldier in the trench who is remembered for his bravery and duty, risking his life for hiscountry. It is important to remember that in war, as in society, there are other roles, such as the stretcher bearers, who also have an important responsibility. These cannot be overlooked. Students will explore and discover the experiences of the stretcher bearer through poetry,...

Students create a newspaper, from a distinct perspective, that exemplifies an event of the First World War. This project can be modified to the Second World War. The full assignment is attached below.

Students will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of a specific aspect of the Great War. Students will gain competence is print presentation methods. Other goals can be added to this project to meet specific teacher's needs and curricular outcomes.

This project...

Aboriginal people sacrificed much during the two World Wars, both at home and in Europe, all the while they weren’t considered “people” in the eyes of Canadian law. Students will explore the issues facing Aboriginal people during the Great War and the Second World War and collaborate to create a PowerPoint or PhotoStory presentation for the school Remembrance Day Assembly.

It is expected that the student will:

- apply critical thinking (including questioning, comparing,...