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A Real Companion and Friend:
The diary of William Lyon Mackenzie King
Archived Content
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Educational Resources
Grades 9-11 (Secondary 4 and 5 in Québec)
Second World War - Conscription Events
A Lesson Plan
Intended Grades: Grades 9 to 11, Secondary 4 and 5 in the province of Quebec
Background Information
The following lesson plan is intended to be part of the social sciences curriculum. It should be used while teaching about Canada and the Second World War. The events surrounding conscription are explored.
The activities included in this lesson plan will guide students, and prompt them to explore the William Lyon Mackenzie King Diaries. The diaries are an extraordinary literary achievement that provide a valuable insight into Canadian history. According to the noted critic, Robert Fulford, Mackenzie King's diaries "might turn out to be the only Canadian work of our century that someone will look at in 500 years."
Learning Outcomes
The students will:
- learn the causes leading up to, and the effects of, conscription in Canada during the Second World War.
- identify and understand Mackenzie King's role, his actions and the dilemma concerning conscription.
- gain a much better understanding of political decision making from a broader perspective.
- learn to use the Internet to access, collect and interpret primary sources such as the Mackenzie King diaries.
- learn the importance of primary sources when conducting research.
- develop critical and creative thinking skills while analyzing conflicting points of view.
Context Setting and Preparation Activities
- Regular curriculum units on the Second World War will provide students with the information required to understand conscription.
- The web sites, First Among Equals and A Real Companion and Friend: The Diaries of William Lyon Mackenzie King will provide students with the information required to understand both who William Lyon Mackenzie King was and the pivotal role he played in Canadian history.
- Students should follow along at computer terminals, or be given the information sheet entitled: Second World War Conscription Facts—Interactive Information for Students. This resource will provide students with the relevant historical and context-setting information.
- To reinforce student leaning we have included in this resource the following two activities:
A. The Mackenzie King Diaries Quest
This is a paper-based activity in which students are asked to help Mackenzie King's official biographer. They become active members of the research team. Each student will be guided through a discovery-based learning activity. They are tasked with finding passages in Mackenzie King's diaries relevant to the Canadian conscription, writing a draft of the events as seen through the eyes of the Prime Minister, and then providing their own thoughts and insights.
A virtual quiz to help students verify their knowledge of conscription events. This captivating quiz provides students with background information and multiple-choice questions.
