Introduction

Imagine living in a fox hole for three days, praying that you live to see the next day.  You are wondering whether you will be blown to bits, shot or taken prisoner by the enemy.  Imagine that you are storming an island beach and wondering whether the person who has become your only friend on this lonesome front will be there in the morning. The soldier in WWII had this mindset on a daily basis.

You will complete the following internet activities alone or by working in pairs. It is your goal to complete ALL of the activities, and I would suggest you visit "EVALUATION" to see how your project will be submitted and marked.

The purpose of this Web Quest is to give you a sampling of some of the aspects related to WWII.  In each of the activities, you will explore a different site and you will have to answer questions.  Some of these are more difficult than others.  The first thing you should do is write down the internet address of this site, or add it to your "bookmarks" or "favourites", for future reference. Good luck and have fun!

Internet Activities on World War II

Map - Losses in WWII

Activity 1:  Look at the map and determine who had the most casualties per operation.  (There are two maps: Europe and Asia/Japan)

Hint: It is suggested that you have either an atlas or a map of Europe with you to complete Activity 1.  Italy is the boot-shaped country.  If you do not have a map with you, you may want to go to Activity 2 now and come back to complete Activity 1 at another time.  Remember that you are not required to do these activities in order but they are to be in order when your project is submitted.  Good Luck!!

  1. Give an estimated number for American casualties in France and Italy.

  2. Were there more civilians or soldiers killed during WWII?
  3. Based on casualties in the Pacific ocean, who won this naval campaign?
  4. Were there more causalities in Europe or Asia/Japan?
  5. On what front were 12 million soldiers killed?

D-Day - Canadian Soldiers

Activity 2:

  1. When did D-Day take place?

  2. On what beach did D-Day occur?
  3. Approximately how many Canadian soldiers landed in Normandy on D-Day?
  4. On D-Day in Normandy, how many Canadian soldiers suffered casualities?
  5. Of the casualities, how many were fatal?

 

    Canadian Heroes

    Activity 3:  The Canadian Heroes site is dedicated to two unsung heroes. 

    1. Who are they?

    2. "Henri's War Service Record" -  When did he embark for Europe?
    3. When did Henri die and where was he buried?
    4. "A Proud Canadian" -  Where was Henri born, and who were his parents?  Did he have siblings?
    5. "The Commemorative Names Project" - What geographical feature is named after Henri and where is it located?

    6. "Loren's War Service Record" - When did Loren enlist?

    7. When did Loren die, and what regiment was he serving with at the time?
    8. "A Son and A Brother" - What are the names of his parents and siblings?
    9. "A Tragic End" - In a few sentences, describe the day which ended Loren's  life.
    10. Where was Loren buried?

 

The Bataan Death March

Activity 4: This one will take you some time to complete because you are not told where to find the information.  The chapter titles MAY help you, however. Read the questions carefully before going to the site. 

    1. Describe the living quarters and the conditions at Hoten.

    2. How were officers and the enlisted men treated differently?
    3. What happened to men during the march if they fell or could not keep up?
    4. How did the Japanese guards entertain themselves during the march?
    5. How many Americans died during the Bataan Death March?

 

Uncommon Courage - Canadian "Secret Agents"

There was a small, unique group of Canadians who volunteered to be "secret agents" behind enemy lines during World War II.

Activity 5:

  1. These Canadian "secret agents" came from many backgrounds but primarily three.  What were they?

  2. Canadian "secret agents" served with what two British secret organizations?
  3. What was the function of M.I. 9?
  4. Describe the training of these agents?

Minutes of the Red Cross Society of Brackley Beach, PEI 

Activity 6:

    1. According to Ellen Cudmore, how many young men from the community of Brackley Beach served overseas from 1940-1944?

    2. What did the Red Cross Society of Brackley Beach send to these young men?

Powers of PersuasionPropagandaPosters

    Activity 7:  Visit the Powers of Persuasion site to investigate how governments used posters as a medium to rally support for war efforts.  Then visit the Propaganda Posters page, and select one poster on that page to answer the following questions about it.  Please include the title of the  poster that you have chosen with your assignment.

  1. What is the poster's hidden or implied message?

  2. What words are chosen for impact?

  3. What group or individual is the poster meant to persuade?

  4. How does the poster you have chosen make you feel? 

Persuasive Posters of Peace (Linked to your creative brain!)

Activity 8:  

  1. Think of ways that you can promote peace within your home, school, and community.  On a piece of 8.5 x 11" (standard) paper, you are to design and create a poster which conveys the message of PEACE successfully.  You are not required to answer the following questions but do consider them while you are designing.

  • What actions or ideas do the words ask the observer to take or share?

  • How do the words and/or pictures together convey a strong message?

  • What role does color play in creating the poster?

  • What feelings does the poster engender in the observers?

    • When all of the posters are complete, a "Posters of Peace" gallery will be created in our school.  Everyone will be invited to select the most persuasive poster!

     

Conclusion

You have had the opportunity to view some important aspects of WWII: causalities, heroes, and important battles. After completing the above activities, you should have better knowledge and understanding of the enormous loss of life inflicted by WWII. 

You will have also thought of and shared a way in which PEACE can be promoted within a family, a school, and/or a community with the creation of your "Poster of Peace".

 

Evaluation

  1. You are required to complete ALL of the activities.  The due date is FEBRUARY 15, 2002.  There is ample time for you to complete this project successfully.  There will be NO extensions to this due date.  You are certainly welcome to submit your project early!

  2. The questions will be answered using complete sentences.

  3. You may complete the activities in any order.  When it is submitted, however, it will be IN ORDER with the activity numbers and the question numbers clearly indicated.

  4. Your project will have a cover page with the title of your project, your name (and your partner's name), date of submission, and the name of your Social Studies class and teacher. 

  5. Students always ask whether things should be double-spaced or single-spaced, handwritten or typewritten.  Although double-spaced and typed papers are always easier to read for the person who is marking, it really doesn't matter for this project as long as it is well-organized and well-written!  There are 5 marks allocated for Organization/Neatness.

  6. Your persuasive Peace Poster (activity 8) may be as creative as you like.  However, it is to be designed on one sheet of 8.5 x 11" (standard-size) paper, the colour of the paper and medium are your choice.  Please write your name on the BACK of your poster so that it can be returned to you after the "Poster of Peace Gallery" closes.

  7. Marking:  35 Questions = ?/35,  Peace Poster = ?/10,  Organization/Neat = ?/5

    If you have any questions regarding your project or if you need assistance with your Quest, please speak with your social studies teacher Mr. MacKinnon.  You can email me with your questions as well and I'll get back to you ASAP.  Have fun!

    Mrs. Connell