The Homefront:
Factories, Women at Work, War Brides

Grade: 10

Time: one period (40 minutes)

Expectations:

Students will:

• demonstrate an understanding of how diverse groups and individuals have contributed to the historical, cultural, and economic development of Canada.
• identify and describe the achievements of Canadians who have contributed significantly to the development of Canada and the world.
• demonstrate an understanding of the impact of World War I on the veterans, their families, Canada as a whole and specific groups within the country.
• use appropriate vocabulary to describe their inquiries and observations.

Preparation:

• Prepare notes for lecture and discussion on:
  • what was happening in Canada during WW I
  • financial situations of Canadians at home during WW I
  • women's contiributions to WW I
• Copies of Personal Accounts from the Pier 21

Lesson Plan:

1. Begin discussion and lecture based upon the notes researched by the teacher on:
   1. What was happening at home?
   2. How did people feel?
   3. What about money?
   4. What could Women do?
   5. Discuss the increased need for production workers - who would fill the gap?
   6. How did the government convince women to work in the factories? Posters, National Pride, supporting the war effort.
   7. How did this change the lives of many women?
2. Explain how a debate is held; the research done, the points to be made, and the justifying of one's position.  Discuss rules and expectations prior to the debate.
3. Debate - select team from hat  Have students research one of the following debating resolutions: Be it resolved that working changed women's lives for the better. -OR- Be it resolved that working made women's lives much more complicated in a time of war. Students must support all points with evidence taken from the textbook, research, or the lecture and discussion.
4. After the debate, have sides summarize their points on chart paper to be displayed in the class. Ideas to circulate include: Poor Wages, but extra income, childcare dilemmas, societal expectations of women, lost jobs when soldiers returned home, new found independence, and skills, etc...

Evaluation Opportunities:

• Observe and assess the type and extent of student participation in whole class and small group discussion.  Did they make a contribution towards clarifying the issues and concepts under discussion.  Did they make observations and link ideas and facts?  Were the points valid towards supporting their debate topics?
• use rubric for evaluation