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Canadians Remember in November

On Remembrance Day Canadians honor fallen heroes and heroines. Create a 3-panel display to illustrate aspects of this commemoration.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    On November 11, 1918, at 11 o'clock a.m., World War I came to an end. A peace document called an armistice, which comes from Latin words meaning "arms (or weapons) stand still" was drawn up. Every year on this day Canadians remember those who have fallen in the line of duty.

  • Step 2

    Talk to the class about what Canadians do to observe this solemn day. Have a discussion about how it compares with Memorial Day and Veteran's Day in the United States. If possible, have a veteran come to talk to the class.

  • Step 3

    Have students create a triptych - a 3-panel display - to illustrate how Canadians commemorate this day. Fold a piece of heavy paper into thirds and cut off the corners. Ask them to illustrate a different aspect of the observance on each of the panels. Display and discuss the triptychs.

Standards

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Analyze the causes and consequences of past events and developments, and place these in the context of the institutions, values, and beliefs of the period in which they took place.

SS: Global Connections: Become aware of how things that happen in one part of the world impact other parts of the world and the global connections within basic issues and concerns.

Adaptations

Many countries dedicate a day to remember those who have fallen. Have students investigate how this day is commemorated in other countries. For example, On Anzac Day (observed in Australia and New Zealand), people play "two up," a sort of heads-or-tails game that Australian soldiers played to pass the time during WWI.

Have students learn about other Canadian holidays, such as Victoria Day (honoring Queen Victoria) and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (otherwise known as Orange Shirt Day), which recognizes the legacy of the Canadian Indian residential school system.