Aim

To provide youth with a basic knowledge of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery a Canadian could receive during the First World War.

Objectives

Youth should:

• develop a basic knowledge of the Victoria Cross;

Target audience

This activity is suitable for ages 5 to 7.

Sequence of events and anticipated time frame [30 minutes]

(This activity can be modified to fit available time.)

• Discussion [10 minutes]
• Victoria Cross dot to dot [10 minutes]
• Debrief [10 minutes]

Materials

• Victoria Cross dot to dot activity sheet

Discussion

Ask your students what they know about the First World War. Depending on the responses, highlight some key points and useful information for the activity:

• the First World War was fought between 1914 and 1918, mainly in Europe (you may use a map to show them countries where the fighting was the most intense, like France and Belgium);
• a large number of Canadians served in the First World War (more than 660,000);
• war is dangerous and everybody had to overcome their fears to do their job;
• many Canadians received medals for their bravery during the war;
• the highest decoration for bravery a Canadian could obtain in war was called the Victoria Cross;

Victoria Cross dot to dot

Distribute the Victoria Cross dot to dot sheet and guide your students in completing the activity.

Debrief

Lead a wrap-up discussion about the activity. Ask your students to describe in their words what the Victoria Cross is. Youth could cut out the Victoria Cross and display in the classroom.