Canada in the Second World War Scavenger Hunt

Equipment list

  • Clip-Boards (1 per group)

  • Pencils

  • Group hand-outs (optional)

  • Station question sheets (see below)

Explanation

As part of the ‘Canadian History 11’ course, students are to analyze the role and impact of Canada’s involvement on the international stage through our country’s involvement in world conflicts (specifically the Second World War.)

Through this activity, students will explore these experiences through an interactive Scavenger Hunt on Canada’s Major Battles of the War, in order to analyze the impact of the Second World War on their school community (Local Connection) and its significance in Canadian history as a contributor to international affairs. (Global Connection.)

Set up

Create five question stations pertaining to the following components of Canadian participation in the Second World War, using the following suggested questions:

  • Battle for Hong Kong (1941): What became of the surviving Canadians after the Battle of Hong Kong?

  • Disaster at Dieppe (1942): Why did the Dieppe Raid fail?

  • Italian Campaign (1943-1945): Give an example of the difficulties Canadians faced during the Italian Campaign.

  • Juno Beach (1944): How were the Canadian landings at Juno Beach truly a combined operation?

  • Liberating Northwest Europe (1944-1945): Give one reason why the Canadian contribution in Northwest Europe was significant to the war effort?

    Depending on your students’ familiarity with the subject matter, teacher can provide background information on each of the above, to be placed at each station.

    Divide students into five groups.

Each group will be given a clipboard with their group work-sheet including

  • Explanation of the task (optional)

  • Map of question stations drawn by teacher (optional)

  • Group discussion questions

    Activity:

    Part 1: Groups will be given 20 minutes to complete the 5 station questions before they re-convene at the start point to discuss their answers (5-8 Minutes) in order to assure that they have the necessary foundation to answer the 3 group discussion questions.

    Part 2: Groups will then walk and talk to discuss the following group discussion questions.

  • How did WWII affect our community?

  • How was this a “world” war?

  • How was Canada involved in the war?

    Following the walk and talk, groups will re-convene to have a larger group discussion.


Variation / Progression

  • Teacher can use this format to review other components of Canada’s involvement in WWII, or other topics.

ASK ID 2024-07-15-001-E

Grade 11 - 12Gasta DesignHistory