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You are to pretend that you are a Canadian soldier* fighting in the trenches on the western Front during WWI. Your assignment is to write a one page letter home and assume that it has somehow passed censorship. (*you could also assume the role of a nurse) The letter should use facts to help create a vivid image of what the war experience was like. It should also aim to illustrate the effects of new technology on the way war was fought. it should have a personal feel, reflective of a letter written during wartime. Finally, it should include a drawing of what your time in the trenches or on the Western Front looked like. You must also create a short half page letter in response to the first letter from the Homefront.

Please take a few notes while we are watching the film “Passchendaele” to help you write this assignment. Also, use pages 37-47 to follow up on the Canadian battles and Homefront.

Here is a breakdown of what should be done to successfully complete this assignment:

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING:The fact base of your two letters must include the following:

Letter from the Trenches on the Western Front: Details on one of the four major Canadian battles of WWI types of weapons used in the war Conditions in the trenches - mud, lice, rats, dead bodies, etc.

Letter from the Canadian Homefront: Comment on (victory bonds, honour rationing, income tax, corporate tax). Include your thoughts on wartime propaganda

THINKING & INQUIRY:The letter from the trenches on the western front must also include:

What you thought of the war A description of your feelings and emotions based on your “experiences” An explanation of how new technology has effected your life

“I stand staring into the darkness. Everything moves rapidly again as I stare. I look away for a moment and the illusion ceases. Something leaps towards my face. I jerk back, afraid. Instinctively I feel for my rifle in the corner of the bay. It is a rat. It is as large as a tom-cat. It is three feet away from my face and it looks steadily at me with its two staring, beady eyes. It is fat. Its long tapering tail curves away from its padded hindquarters. There is still a little light from the starts and this light shines faintly on its sleek skin. With a darting movement it disappears. I remember

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with a cold feeling that it was fat, and why. Cleary taps my shoulder. It is time to be relieved.” - Charles Harrison

4- Exceeds 3- Fully Meets 2- Minimally Meets

1-Not Yet Meeting

Historical Details (Letters)X2

Facts selected and content of letter are rich in powerful detail, thus creating a vivid picture of a WWI experience.

Facts selected and content of letter contain detail that helps to create a good picture of a WWI experience.

Facts selected and content of letter contain some detail that helps to create a picture of a WWI experience.

Facts selected and content of letter do not really create a picture of a WWI experience/creates a limited picture of a WWI experience.

Personal Reflections (Letters)

Letter has vivid powerful descriptions of personal emotions and feelings. Contains highly reflective ideas.

Letter has descriptions of personal emotions and feelings. Contains reflective ideas.

Letter contains brief descriptions of personal emotions and feelings. Contains few reflective ideas.

Letter contains very few descriptions of personal emotions and feelings. No reflective ideas.

Drawing of Trench life

Drawing is creative, accurate and details significantly add

Drawing is accurate and details add to the overall quality.

Drawing is complete and may not add to the overall quality.

Drawing lacks details and accuracy.

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to the overall quality.

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