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Home , Remembrance day

LESSON ONE

FOR GRADES: CANADA’S CAPITAL From grades 6 to 9 or from grade 6 of elemetary school to grade 3 of high TREASURES school in .

Seven classroom-ready lesson plans and five introductory videos highlight and explore the significance and importance of Canada’s Capital Treasures. These treasures represent knowledge, sacrifice, commitment and ingenuity. This series of lesson plans is available for download at canadascapital.gc.ca/education.

NATIONAL

MATERIALS

The Response—The National War Memorial video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUW5qWIBeP4

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The learner will:

• Learn more about the act of commemoration and explore the idea of community service; • Discover the importance of the First World War and the Battle of Vimy Ridge to Canada’s nationhood; • Identify times and places in their own lives where the act of remembrance is valued; • Determine how supporting elements like music and audio enhance the impact of video when used as a media literacy tool; • Create a piece of persuasive media to attract visitors to an event.

KEYWORDS

National War Memorial; Remembrance Day Ceremonies; commemoration; First World War; Second World War; The Response; Mackenzie King; Vernon March; Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

1 Lesson One National War Memorial

NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL, 1939

Photo: Library and Archives Canada / C-6545 The National War Memorial was dedicated on May 21, 1939, by His Majesty King George VI. The artist who created the memorial, Vernon March, died before its completion, and the work was finished by his family.

INTRODUCTION many ceremonies and celebrations ceremonies in the spring of 1939, occur. Originally, the Gatineau Hills a few short months before Canada The National War Memorial is were considered for the location would, once again, march to war at instantly recognizable: 22 bronze of the National War Memorial. Britain’s request. figures marching through a giant However, then-Prime Minister granite arch. Every Remembrance Mackenzie King wanted it to be in Take a moment to view the video Day, the Governor General and the the heart of Canada’s Capital where “The Response: The National War Prime Minister lay wreaths at its base. everyone could see and access it. Memorial”. You will notice that This nationally televised ceremony Confederation Square was created to all branches of the service are connects Canadians to more than receive the memorial. represented in the sculpture, from 6,000 local war memorials across infantrymen pulling a large cannon, the country, and reflects our many The sculptural ensemble is entitled to airmen and seamen. Other smaller and more personal acts The Response. The memorial was figures are given equal importance, of remembrance. created in the wake of the First World however: the nurses who cared War, during which time Canada for war’s casualties, and the expert The monument stands in the responded to Great Britain’s call for foresters who cut wood for railways centre of Confederation Square, a aid. Artist Vernon March did not live and cleared terrain for airfields. short distance from the Parliament to see the memorial completed. After Perched at the apex of the arch itself, Buildings, in the very hub of his death in 1930, March’s family two winged figures symbolizing downtown . The square is a finished his complex sculptural peace and freedom reign over all. central public gathering place where plan. They attended the opening

2 Lesson One National War Memorial

The First World War was a turning point in Canadian relations with Great Britain and the world. Following the war, during the 1919 negotiations, Prime Minister Robert Borden insisted that Canada had earned the right to its own seat at the table, and to sign the treaty independent of Great Britain.

Originally honouring those who had served in the First World War, the National War Memorial was rededicated in 1982 to commemorate the response of all Canadians who have served our country in times of conflict and peace.

The National War Memorial is close to many other buildings and monuments in the Capital that commemorate Canada’s role in war and peace, including the (and the Memorial Chamber), THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, 2006 the National Aboriginal Veterans Photo: Reproduced with the permission of , 2010 Monument, and Reconciliation: the The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is covered in poppies, following Remembrance Day Peacekeeping Monument. ceremonies in 2006. It has become tradition to leave poppies on the tomb, immediately Next to the National War Memorial after the ceremony. is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is at the base of the National War Memorial. The Unknown Soldier Vimy Memorial in Vimy, . The to the Pacific on . I thought died in France during the First World Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is then...that in those few minutes I War and was buried near Vimy depicted on a 2008 commemorative witnessed the birth of a nation.” Ridge. The anonymity of the fallen 25-cent piece. Consider these two quotes. What soldier is important; he symbolizes was the importance of Vimy Ridge, all Canadians — past, present and ACTIVITY ONE: WRITE A not just to the war effort, but also future — who have given, or will SHORT PAPER to Canada as a nation? The last give, their lives in military service. Canadian veteran of the First World “It can hardly be expected that we War has now passed away, taking In 2000, the soldier’s body was flown shall put 400,000 or 500,000 men away all living memory of that war. to Canada on a Canadian Forces in the field and willingly accept the The year 2014 marks the 100th plane with an honour guard, a group position of having no more voice and anniversary of the beginning of the of veterans, a chaplain and two youth receiving no more consideration than First World War. What is the value representatives. The body lay in state if we were toy automata.” for three days and was then interred in studying a war that happened a in Confederation Square’s upper — Sir Robert Borden, January 4, 1916 century ago? plaza. The sarcophagus is made from Write a short paper about the Quebec granite, and features bronze Brigadier-General Alexander Ross, a importance, for young Canadians, relief sculptures of a sword, helmet battalion commander at Vimy Ridge, of remembering the First World War, and leaves, the same as those found watched the Canadian troops move and particularly Vimy Ridge. on the altar at the Canadian National out: “It was Canada from the Atlantic

3 Lesson One National War Memorial

ACTIVITY TWO: MAKE A POSTER ACTIVITY FIVE: INDIVIDUAL might be the effect of the shared use RESEARCH AND CLASS of this name worldwide? When the Tomb of the Unknown DISCUSSION Soldier was unveiled in 2000, Veterans Affairs Canada created a The “central square” is an important ACTIVITY SEVEN: EVALUATE poster for the event. Imagine that feature of most communities, COMMUNITY SERVICE (GRADE it’s 1939. You must create a poster whether villages or large cities. 2 OF HIGH SCHOOL IN QUEBEC for the unveiling of the National War Where is the “meeting place” in your OR GRADE 8 IN ) Memorial. Over 100,000 people came community? What are its important You have read that, although to that ceremony on May 21, 1939, features and how is it used? Research originally honouring those who and the King of England, George VI, Confederation Square in Canada’s had served in the First World War, addressed the crowd. Capital. When was it designed? the National War Memorial now What important events have commemorates all Canadians who happened there? Compare it to your ACTIVITY THREE: PROPOSE A have served our country in times community’s “central square.” What NEW MONUMENT of conflict and peace. What do you features are the same? Which are think the word “served” means in this different? As a class, make a list on Remember that acts of heroism and context? sacrifice are important to individuals, the board about your community’s communities, cities and nations. city square. What improvements Reread the introduction and/or view Divide into groups and research would you suggest for your square? the video again as you make a list an individual, group, or particular of the variety of roles Canadians Extend the activity: In small groups, event that has directly affected your have played in these conflicts. Then propose plans for an “improved” community. Once your group has do further research to add to your Confederation Square. What selected the person or topic, design list, looking also at what Canadians additions should be made and why? an appropriate memorial. Submit did on the home front to help the Should anything be removed or a plan for the memorial, including war effort. Make a similar list of the relocated? Draw out your revised the best location for it — consider variety of ways in which Canadians plans using online maps and national or local — and how you serve their country in times of peace. resources as a starting point. propose to unveil it (e.g. What kind of What is “community service”? In what ceremony will there be? What special ways is it an important Canadian guests or speakers will unveil ACTIVITY SIX: CONSIDER value? Think about the volunteer the memorial?). NAMES OF MONUMENTS hour requirement for high school (GRADE 1 OF HIGH SCHOOL students in many provinces and IN QUEBEC OR GRADE 7 IN territories, and write a paragraph ACTIVITY FOUR: MAKE A ONTARIO) explaining whether or not you COMMEMORATION DISPLAY think this could be an important The National War Memorial is named Monuments are just one way we experience for you. “The Response.” Consider why it might commemorate important individuals have been given this name and Write a statement indicating whether and events. Name five more ways. research to find out more. Evaluate or not you think it is important List examples of these sorts of whether or not you think the name is that the National War Memorial commemorations. What are the a good one. Now think of three other commemorates Canadians who have pros and cons of commemorating possible names for the Memorial. List served our country and list three or in these ways? Collect examples of your reasons for choosing each one. four reasons for your opinion. these commemorations and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. The “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” Make a classroom display of the is a name given to a specific type of ACTIVITY EIGHT: HEARING commemorations. Extend the activity grave. There is one in Ottawa; there AN “ECHO” (GRADE 3 OF by creating “pitch” teams, small are similar graves in other countries HIGH SCHOOL IN QUEBEC groups that “sell” the idea of the around the world. Mark as many of OR GRADE 9 IN ONTARIO) commemoration to a panel of judges these as possible on a world map. Vimy Ridge, located in France, was who will select the most How do you think these graves have the site of a decisive battle fought effective pitch. come to share the same name? What by four divisions of Canadian

4 Lesson One National War Memorial

Expeditionary Forces during the MEDIA LITERACY ACTIVITY First World War. It has come to be a symbol of Canadian achievement and View the video “The Response: sacrifice. The Canadian National Vimy The National War Memorial” again, Memorial was built on Vimy Ridge to but this time, watch it without the commemorate the Canadian soldiers sound. What do you notice? Think who fought there and throughout about how both the music and the France during the First World War. script affect your reaction to the Find images of the Canadian National content of the video. With a partner, Vimy Memorial, the Tomb of the choose two or three other music Unknown Soldier in Ottawa, and the clips as background sound for the National War Memorial. Why do you video. Play these for another set of think the bronze relief sculptures of partners. What effect were you trying a sword, helmet, and leaves on the to create? Use the comments of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were listening pair to decide whether you created to replicate those on the altar were successful. at the National Vimy Memorial? How Extend the activity: With a partner, might “echoes” of specific symbols read the transcript for the video. Then be an important way of conveying write a new script for the video. What messages? aspects of the National War Memorial When you compare images of the will you choose to highlight and Canadian National Vimy Memorial why? How does bias affect your and the National War Memorial, what final product? common messages do you think they might be sharing? Who do you think is responsible for deciding the content of these messages? Research to find out. Why do you think these particular messages were chosen? Tell a partner how you arrived at this conclusion.

Extension activity: Read Activity Six and think about how Tombs of the Unknown Soldier around the world might be considered “echoes,” meaning, examples of sacrifice and dedication to a cause or an ideal, in this case by those who are unknown and died in wars for their respective countries. Can you think of any other examples of echoes in other types of art such as, books or movies? Why are “echoes” powerful? (Hint: Consider actions in the Harry Potter series, books and films and Lord of the Rings books and films, as potential examples.)

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