The Canadian Atlas Online Prince Edward Island Grade 10-12

THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND – GRADE 10-12

The Canadian Navy in Action:

The Battle of the Atlantic

Lesson Overview

The goal of this lesson is to make students aware of the role played by the Canadian Navy in the Second World War. Students will begin by exploring the Navy Centennial section of The Canadian Atlas Online. They will complete a graphic organizer about the Canadian Navy. Next, students will read about the Battle of the Atlantic and answer a series of questions. Finally, they will choose one of the following activities to expand their knowledge of the Canadian Navy. The activities are: (A) Writing a reflection on the HMCS Baddeck or HMCS Moose Jaw, (B) Canadian Naval Vessels PowerPoint Presentation or (C) Battle of the Atlantic Picture Book.

Grade Level

Grades 10-12 (secondary school)

Time Required

Three classes are required to complete this lesson.

Curriculum Connection

Atlantic Provinces Curriculum for Social Studies: Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training (CAMET): Prince Edward Island

Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required

 Access to LCD projector, Computer Lab

• Student Activity #1: The Canadian Navy Online
• Student Activity #2: The Battle of the Atlantic

 Student Activity #3A: Write a reflection on the HMCS Baddeck or HMCS Moose Jaw

 Student Activity #3B: Canadian Naval Vessels PowerPoint Presentation

 Student Activity #3C: Battle of the Atlantic Picture Book

• Assessment Rubric for Student Activity #3B

 Student access to the internet

Websites:

The Canadian Atlas Online – Navy Centennial

Veterans Affairs Canada – The Battle of the Atlantic

Juno Beach Centre – HMCS Baddeck and Convoy SC-48

Juno Beach Centre – HMCS Moose Jaw and the sinking of U-501

Juno Beach Centre – The Battle of the Atlantic

Historical Photo Gallery – Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans Affairs Canada – Educational Resource Kits

Veterans Affairs Canada – The Battle of the Atlantic Video

Main Objective

The lesson is designed to increase students’ understanding and appreciation of the Canadian Navy. They will use the Canadian Atlas Online and other sources to strengthen research, writing and geographic skills. It is hoped that students will explore other themes in the Canadian Atlas Online and be motivated to investigate the Canadian Armed Forces in greater depth.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Use the Internet for research and complete a PowerPoint presentation;

• Read, compare and interpret Merchant Ship Losses Maps;

• Answer questions about the Battle of the Atlantic;

• Research and gain an understanding of the Canadian Navy’s role in the Second World War;

 Use The Canadian Atlas Online for research.

The Lesson

The Lesson

Introduction

Lesson Development

Conclusion

Lesson Extension

• Complete a virtual tour of Veterans Affairs Canada:
• Create a bulletin board display about the Navy Centennial celebrations that illustrates the role of the Canadian Navy in the past and present.

• Explore various careers that exist in the Canadian Navy.

Assessment of Student Learning

 Assess the graphic organizer.

 Assess the answers to ‘The Battle of the Atlantic’ questions.

 Assess the student-selected activity: Writing a reflection on the HMCS Baddeck or HMCS Moose Jaw, Canadian Naval Vessels PowerPoint Presentation (see Rubric), or the Battle of the Atlantic Picture Book.

Further Reading

• The Canadian Atlas Online

 Battle of the Atlantic - Canada’s role and the HMCS Waskesiu

 Article on the Battle of the Atlantic

• The Battle of the Atlantic (British resource)

Link to Canadian National Standards for Geography

Essential Element #4: Human Systems

• Cooperation and Conflict in the division and control of Earth’s surface

Geographic Skill #2: Acquiring Geographic information

• Systematically locate and gather geographic information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.

Student Activity #1: The Canadian Navy Online

Instructions:

A. Go to The Canadian Atlas Online – Navy Centennial.

B. Find the answer to each question and type your answer in the appropriate square.

Student Activity #2: The Battle of the Atlantic

Instructions:

Go to Veterans Affairs Canada – The Battle of the Atlantic.

Click on each topic in sequence and answer the following questions on a separate page.

1. What made the Battle of the Atlantic so dangerous?

1. How many ships and what types of ships did the Canadian Navy have at the beginning of the war?
2. Define and explain the terms U-Boat and wolf pack.
3. What did the Canadian Navy do to combat the U-boats?
4. What was the role of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)?
5. Compare the Map Merchant Ship Losses in the Atlantic January 1, 1942 to July 31, 1942 found in topic link “The Campaign Moves to North American Waters” and the Map Merchant Ship Losses in the Atlantic August 1, 1942 to May 31, 1943. Make four observations using the two maps.
6. Explain the convoy system.
7. What happened in March 1943? (See the section entitled “The grimmest period”).
8. What was the turning point in the Battle of the Atlantic?
9. Summarize Canada’s role in the Battle of the Atlantic.
10. How many Canadian lives were lost during the Battle of the Atlantic?

Student Activity #3A:

Writing a reflection on the HMCS Baddeck or HMCS Moose Jaw

(Value: 40pts)

Instructions: Research the HMCS Baddeck or the HMCS Moose Jaw and the sinking of U-501. Read the corresponding articles below. Search for another online source as well. From your reading and research, write a reflection on what it would feel like to be a Canadian sailor on convoy duty during the Battle of the Atlantic. Although the content of the reflection is to be based on what you think and how you integrate ideas, there should also be depth, connections, evidence of understanding, and broad integration of ideas.

Sources:

1) Juno Beach Centre – HMCS Baddeck and Convoy SC-48

2) Juno Beach Centre – HMCS Moose Jaw and the sinking of U-501

3) Juno Beach Centre – The Battle of the Atlantic

Student Activity #3B:

Canadian Naval Vessels PowerPoint Presentation

Instructions:

1. Choose a ship that served in the Second World War from the list below or ask your teacher about a Canadian Naval vessel that is not on this list.

Name/Nom Type Date

Name/Nom Type Date

1. Create and present a 5 minute PowerPoint Presentation (8-12 slides) with the following information:

• Name of the ship and when and where it was commissioned. (2 pts)
• Picture of your ship. (2 pts)
• A summary of the ship’s major deployments, actions, battles. (13 pts)
• What makes this ship significant to Canada? (5 pts)
• Design a recruitment flyer/poster for the Canadian Navy. The flyer/poster should feature: your ship, contact information (to enlist), symbol or logo that relates to the Navy, 3 items that describe the type of work, achievements, or qualities of a sailor on this ship. (7pts)
• Sources (cite at least 3) 1 pt

POWERPOINT TOTAL = 30 pts.

Student Activity #3C: Battle of the Atlantic Picture Book

Instructions:

Prepare a picture book that illustrates the Battle of the Atlantic. Use a media type of your choice. Create a photo gallery with 15 images and captions. Your book requires a title and must have a theme. There should be a short summary that describes your theme (100 words) and explains why you chose it.

• Title (1 pt)
• Evidence of a clear theme (3 pts)
• Images and captions (15X2=30pts)
• Summary (6 pts)

Picture Book Total = 40 pts

Possible web sites to use:

1) Historical Photo Gallery – Veterans Affairs Canada

2) Veterans Affairs Canada – Educational Resource Kits

3) Veterans Affairs Canada – The Battle of the Atlantic Video

Assessment Rubric for Student Activity #3B

Canadian Naval Vessels Presentation Skills

PRESENTATION SKILLS = 10 pts.

Presentation Content (30pts) plus Presentation Skills (10pts) equals a total of 40 pts.