'Exploring the Newspaper' Activity

The 2024 Canada Remembers Times contains stories ranging from the First World War of 1914-1918 to the War in Afghanistan at the beginning of the 21^st century. As a way to introduce readers to the wide variety of stories in the newspaper, the teacher could distribute the papers and ask participants to find one interesting fact on each page and record what war or peace support operation it is from, what happened and why it interested them. Once complete, the teacher could then debrief the class with each youth sharing what they learned, allowing the class to gain a good overview of the content from one another. Alternately, a similar activity could be done where youth find three interesting stories to share—one from the First World War or earlier, one from the Second World War, and one from the Korean War or a more-recent Canadian peace support effort.

Another activity is to do a 'newspaper quest' where students must find the answers to the questions below by exploring the pages of the Canada Remembers Times. Once the students have answered the questions, the teacher could then run through the answers as a group, using it as an opportunity to explore the existing student knowledge.

‘Newspaper Quest’ Questions and Answers

Page one

1. How many Canadian Armed Forces members died in Afghanistan?
   158
2. What term is used for a fighter pilot who shoots down five enemy planes?
   Ace
3. On what date did D-Day take place during the Second World War?
   June 6, 1944
4. In what year did Canada’s first peacekeeping mission in Africa begin?
   Canadians have also served in Africa as part of many peace operations since 1960
5. How many competitors will take part in the 2025 Invictus Games?
   More than 500 competitors

Page two

1. What organization set up a peacekeeping mission in Rwanda in 1993?
   The United Nations (UN)
2. In what city was Newfoundland’s National War Memorial built in 1924?
   St. John’s
3. What is the name of the buffer zone that runs across Cyprus?
   The Green Line
4. What natural disasters threatened many parts of Canada in the summer of 2023?
   Large forest fires
5. How many Canadian peacekeepers were killed on August 9, 1974?
   Nine Canadian Armed Forces members

Page three

1. On what warship did Harry Hurwitz serve during the Second World War?
   HMCS Athabascan
2. What political and military alliance was formed in 1949?
   The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
3. What is Geneviève Bernatchez’s hometown?
   Geneviève Bernatchez grew up in Gaspé, Québec
4. What First World War battle did Canadians fight in April 1917?
   The Battle of Vimy Ridge
5. How many Canadians served in Italy during the Second World War?
   More than 93,000 Canadian soldiers served in Italy during the Second World War

Page four

1. What is Mi’kmaq Veteran Noel Knockwood’s home province?
   Nova Scotia
2. In what African country did Ron Knapton serve as a peacekeeper in the 1960s?
   The Congo
3. Canada’s participation in what 1990-91 war was codenamed Operation Friction?
   The Gulf War
4. When did Ken Rock join the Royal Canadian Air Force?
   In January 1943
5. what battle did Joseph Roussin earn the Military Medal in August 1917?
   The Battle of Hill 70

Crossword puzzle