Why was the Battle of Vimy Ridge significant to the development of Canada's identity?
Historical Significance
Students will explore the historical significance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge by responding to prompting “thinking” style questions. Evaluating a topic’s significance requires that students have built a foundational knowledge of the topic. Note: Significance can be different for every student. Encourage students to explore their own perspectives on history as they work to decide for themselves if Vimy was in fact important. Let students decide.
Themes:
Battles, First World War, Canadian Identity
Levels:
Intermediate, Secondary
PDF (398.9 KB)
Activation: Does a picture tell a thousand words?
Exploration: What do you want to know about the Battle of Vimy Ridge?
Assessment: Why was the Battle of Vimy Ridge significant to the development of Canada's identity?
Lesson Duration
1 class period (75 minutes)
This lesson can be lengthened or expanded according to interest and engagement.
Lesson Materials
Preparation
Select and prepare learning resources for your classroom from the list provided under Additional Resources.
Notes for Educators
There are many ways to explore the topic of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and help students to learn the content relating to this event (from a Canadian perspective).
Historical significance is unique to each student’s evaluation of the past, but there are core questions that can help students to explore significance in more depth.
Additional Resources
Photos of the Battle of Vimy Ridge
Veteran’s Affairs Canada - Website with Downloadable PDF for the Battle of Vimy Ridge
Discovery Knowledge Documentary - Great Battles: The Battle of Vimy Ridge
Canadian War Museum - Site About Battle of Vimy Ridge
Historica Canada - Vimy Ridge Heritage Minute (Video)
Veteran’s Affairs Canada - Story Gallery: Vimy Ridge (collected images)
Multimedia Resources for the Battle of Vimy Ridge (including Video footage)
The Vimy Foundation - Event Synopsis and Other Resources
National Defense and Canadian Forces Website - Details of Ellis Wellwood Sifton (awarded Victoria Cross for actions at Vimy Ridge)
Canadian Encyclopedia Online - Vimy Ridge
“Birth of a Nation” v. Mythmaker
Colourized Photo of Victors After Vimy
Photo Credit: Canadian War Museum
PDF (398.9 KB)
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