Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Dreams of unknown soldiers

There are three lesson plans in this series; we recommend using them in this order:

1. The importance of remembrance symbols
2. Did he have freckles?
3. Dreams of unknown soldiers

Aim

Students will read a poem about Canada’s unknown soldier.

They will then reflect and create a word cloud expressing what they think this person could have gone on to do in their life had they not died in service.

Objectives

Through this activity, students will:

• learn about Canada’s contributions during the First World War and the lives of those who served; and
• create a personal connection with history and those who shaped it.

Classroom materials

You will need:

• The Unknown Soldier’s Dream poem by Nicholas Butt
• Handout: Dream cloud activity sheet (PDF)

Introduction

Students have explored who the person in Canada’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier might have been. Now, they’ll think about who he might have become.

Remind students that a “tomb of an unknown soldier” exists at many national war memorials around the world. They are a symbol of lost lives and lost dreams.

Brainstorm with the class what their own dreams or plans are for the future. What kind of job would they like to have? Would they like to be a parent someday? Where in the world might they end up living? Will they own a certain type of house or car? Will they invent something important or become famous?

Explain that Canada’s unknown soldier also had hopes and dreams for their future. Talk about how those dreams may have been similar or different.

Discussion

Share the poem The Unknown Soldier’s Dream, by Nicholas Butt. He was 10 years old when he wrote this poem. It was part of the program for the original dedication of Canada’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in May 2000.

Lead a discussion about the poem and its meaning. You may wish to focus on lines like:

“His dreams were his, his dreams now mine” or “We dream his dream that war must cease, for him, for us, our hope is peace.”

Guide the discussion to help students make a link between the sacrifices made by members of the military, and our duty to remember. This is true of anyone who has served and died in service, whether during the First World War, Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, or many other military efforts. The fallen were not able to achieve all of their hopes and dreams. But one of the ways we can honour their memory is by realizing we are able to achieve ours because of them.

Reflection activity

Create dream clouds to compare soldier and student dreams. Each student should create two clouds using words or pictures. They can create them free-form or use this template.

One cloud will represent a dream or future plan they imagine the unknown soldier might have had. The other will represent a dream or future plan they want to achieve in their own future.

Dream clouds should start with these phrases:

• My soldier’s dream was...
• My dream is...

When the clouds are finished, discuss as a class how the two clouds are the same or different. Hang them in your classroom with the portraits or thumbprints.