The following lesson plans were created by winners and finalists for the Governor General Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. They were originally written with particular teaching units in mind and may cover a broader range of topic, i.e., World War II, Korean War, nationhood, black history. The central activities however, such as making trading cards or songwriting, can be easily applied within the context of your own World War I unit.
The Vigil Program for Schools
Each day, the History Society will host a bilingual sunset ceremony leading up to that night's projection. This is a unique opportunity for teachers and students to become actively involved with the project by assisting us in the marking of each sunset with a special ceremonial tribute. Please consider registering your classroom to participate in one of the seven ceremonies being organized at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. More scheduling details are available in the invitation.
Download invitation
Remember the Soldiers (Template)
Maple leaf cut-outs
Poppy cut-outs (simple)
Poppy cut-outs (detailed)
The Poppy Pledge
The Poppy Pledge is a certificate that teachers can print off for students and have them fill out as a symbol of their promise to always remember. At the top of the certificate is a text box where you can enter the soldier's name, however, if you prefer to broaden the pledge to cover all the fallen heroes of World War I, you can easily select and delete the text box without changing the design.
Download the poppy pledge
Veteran Appreciation: Participating in Democracy
Gary O’Dwyer (ON)
The purpose of this unit is to encourage students to appreciate our democratic institutions and to recognize the commitment made by our veterans to establish and maintain them. Includes the teacher’s own completed assignment submitted when he was a student in 1967.
Download lesson plan
Slippery Slopes: Preventing War
David Smith (AB)
This exercise attempts to recreate the historical process that helped lead the world into the Great War. Rather than starting with the “consequence” (the outbreak of the war) and walking the students backwards through to the causes, The Slippery Slope is designed to present students with some of the same dilemmas that faced the major powers in July 1914 and determine the extent to which the war became “inevitable” at this point.
Download lesson plan
Black History: Recognizing Contributions to Quebec and Canada
Gordon Blackman (PQ)
A look at the significant sacrifices and contributions of Black Canadians and Black leaders, and racial attitudes of Canadians. In addition to the lesson plan, visit the website Some Missing Pages - Unit 5: The Great War and the Black Soldier.
Download lesson plan
Patriotic Arts: Influencing Canadians at War
Gina McMurchy-Barber (BC)
How war has shaped Canada and its citizens; the influences of patriotism, propaganda and music on choices Canadians made during war. Teach students the songs that were made popular during World War I and the history behind these songs. In addition to the lesson plan, visit Veterans Affairs Canada for song listings.
Download lesson plan
Growth of a Nation: Trading Cards
Francesca Ianni (ON)
World War I is a chapter in the evolution of Canada’s growth and maturity; this is a study in the social, military, political, cultural, and economic changes of nationhood. Students will create one package of 10 trading cards depicting each era.
Download lesson plan
“Dear Grandchildren”: Appreciating the Sacrifices of War
Marc Keirstad (ON)
The purpose of these activities is to have students pretend that they are veterans of war who have decided to put together a package of memories for their grandchildren. They want to give their grandchildren an idea of what life was like for Canadians during this difficult time.
Download lesson plan