Canada and World War II:
Unit Skills Development and Assessment

Developed by: Adrienne Chong Markville Secondary School (with reference to Ontario Curriculum)

Activity	Skills	Assessment
1 Effects of Treaty of Versailles and the Great Depression	-Pose questions about effects of Treaty of Versailles on Germany and its citizens -examine conditions and problems in post WWI Germany and in Germany during the Great Depression -Assess information and draw conclusions about the rise of new political parties in Germany and around the world -Assess and draw conclusions of attitudes and isolationism of countries towards Europe	-Formative teacher observation -Formative completion check by teacher
2 Nazism and the Holocaust	-Organize and record information using co-operative group skills -Record and organize information on Nazi methods and beliefs -Organize events in chronological order and formulate questions / analysis on trends -Critically assess the development and effects of racist beliefs and connect to events in current world -Assess the factors that led to the Holocaust and lessons learned from the Holocaust through a visual and written assignment	-Formative teacher observation -Summative quiz - -Formative teacher check for completion -Summative teacher assessment
3 Steps to War and Canada’s Role	-Chart and draw conclusions about Nazi aggression 1936-1939 and present orally to the class -Research the events of a battle and Canadian participation. -Compare and contrast World Wars I and II in a written position paper	-Formative assessment by teacher -Summative evaluation by teacher of presentation -Summative evaluation by teacher of paper
4 Impact of War On Canada	-Analyse the message and purpose of propaganda and make inferences on the role of government -Organize, locate and record information and draw conclusions about the role of government and predict future trends in government involvement -Draw conclusions in a written paragraph on the effects of the war on Canadians	-Formative teacher observation -Formative self/teacher assessment -Summative teacher assessment of paragraph

Prior Knowledge Required

Students have studied World War I and know how Canada entered the war. This knowledge is used as a basis for comparing how Canada entered World War II. They also have a concept of the nature of war, in particular of 20^th century total war and the ways in which civilians are involved in the war effort. Students also have studied the social and economic conditions of the 1920s. This knowledge is used to develop ideas about the causes of the Great Depression and support students in the task of comparing conditions of the 1920s and the 1930s.

Unit Planning Notes

Three major themes form the core of this unit: the impact of a major economic depression on the lives of Canadians; the reaction of Canada and the world to Nazi racism and the Holocaust; and the involvement of Canada in the Second World War. These three themes are also interconnected in important ways; for example, in that the Great Depression had an impact on the rise of Nazism and that Nazism led to the Second World War. A major historical inquiry skill to be developed within this unit is the ability to use historical information, such as primary documentary information, to draw conclusions and make inferences about the time period and conditions in general. In preparation for this unit, the teacher determines what text materials provide an overview of the themes. Case studies of life in the Great Depression and conditions in World War II including audio-visual resources can be gathered in advance.