Connecting Students with Remembrance

Alfred Bastien, Over the Top, Neuville-Vitasse, Beaverbrook Collection of War Art – CWM 19710261-0056

As the world marked the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Canadian War Museum launched a new Remembrance Day module, generously supported by the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command and the Friends of the Canadian War Museum. This new online resource is designed to encourage discussion, lessons and ceremonies at home, in the classroom, and in communities across the country.

Created primarily for educators, the new module replaces the Museum’s previous online Remembrance Day resources. Featuring artifacts, archival documents, photographs and works of art from the War Museum’s collections, the new module also includes historical overviews and lesson plans, as well as audiovisual presentations that bring stories of wartime service and sacrifice to life.

“Remembrance Day ceremonies were different this year because of pandemic restrictions,” said Larry Murray, Grand President of the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command. “This makes us particularly pleased to be supporting this online educational initiative, which we are sure will lead to new, creative ways of honouring the sacrifices of Canadians.”

The Remembrance Day module can be browsed via categories ranging from the First World War and Indigenous Stories, to the Afghanistan War and Remembrance. It can also be browsed by type of resource, allowing teachers and students to explore a broad selection of artifacts, works of art, historical overviews, activities and more. When Phase 2 of the module is launched next year, new multimedia content will be added, along with video tours of the War Museum’s galleries and collections, additional ready-to-use presentations, and new primary source materials.

“This module provides educators and students with high-quality primary source materials to engage with our country’s military heritage,” said Commodore (Ret’d) Robert Hamilton, President of the Friends of the Canadian War Museum. “We are delighted to be able to contribute to the education of the next generation.”

Conflict has shaped Canada and stories from our military history continue to resonate. By encouraging students to engage with these stories — from the father who carried his daughter’s teddy bear during the First World War, to the first Canadian woman to be killed in a combat role — this new Remembrance Day module helps students connect in compelling ways with the men and women who have sacrificed so much for this country.

“It is crucial that we continue to remember our country’s military history and honour lives lost in past conflicts,” said Caroline Dromaguet, Acting Director General of the Canadian War Museum. “We are pleased to offer educators this high-quality resource that brings the remarkable stories of Canada’s military contributions into classrooms and communities across the country.”