Exploring the Battle of the Atlantic

Aim

To help students gain a better understanding of Canada's participation in the Battle of the Atlantic by answering reading comprehension questions.

Objectives

Youth will be expected to:

• demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Battle of the Atlantic;
• demonstrate a basic knowledge of the contributions made by Canadians with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Merchant Navy.

Target Audience

This activity is suitable for students in grades 7 to 12 (12 to 18 years of age).

Class Materials

• Historical sheets:
  • Canada Remembers the Battle of the Atlantic
  • Canada Remembers the Murmansk Run
  • Canada Remembers the Merchant Navy
• 'Exploring the Battle of the Atlantic' Reading Comprehension – 3 Student Question Sheets
  • Battle of the Atlantic Student Question Sheet #1
  • Murmansk Run Student Question Sheet #2
  • Merchant Navy Student Question Sheet #3
• 'Exploring the Battle of the Atlantic' Reading Comprehension - 3 Teacher Answer Sheets
  • Battle of the Atlantic Teacher Answer Sheet #1
  • Murmansk Run Teacher Answer Sheet #2
  • Merchant Navy Teacher Answer Sheet #3
• Heroes Remember – Interviews with Canadian Merchant Seamen

Sequence of Activities and Anticipated Time Frame (60 minutes)

[This activity can be modified to fit available class time.]

• Introduction Class Discussion (5 minutes)
• 'Exploring the Battle of the Atlantic' Reading Comprehension Activity (45 minutes)
• Closing (10 minutes)

Introduction Class Discussion (5 minutes)

Take a few minutes to introduce the subject of the lesson. You can discuss the fact that the Battle of the Atlantic was the longest battle of the Second World War, starting days before Canada officially declared war in September 1939 and ending in May 1945 when Germany surrendered.

You may want to use a map and show your students how close the war was of our doorsteps when ships were sunk by German U-boats (submarines) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. You may also point out that although the fighting mostly occurred in Europe for our forces in the Second World War, without the industrial effort put up in North America, and the thousands of merchant voyages to carry supplies in Europe, the Allies might not have won the war, but that came at a high price in human lives for the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Merchant Navy.

'Exploring the Battle of the Atlantic' Reading Comprehension Activity (45 minutes)

You may want to divide the class and assign each group one of the three historical sheets ('Canada Remembers the Battle of the Atlantic'), ('Canada Remembers the Murmansk Run') and ('Canada Remembers the Merchant Navy') and one of the three Student Question Sheets (Battle of the Atlantic Question Sheet), (Murmansk Run Question Sheet) and (Merchant Navy Question Sheet).

Let each group read the historical sheet individually or have them do a group reading.

Allow your students time to find the answers and fill in their question sheet. Again, you may want to let students work independently or with partners before reviewing the answers. Review the answers with the class using the Teacher Answer Sheets (Battle of the Atlantic Answer Sheet), (Murmansk Run Answer Sheet) and (Merchant Navy Answer Sheet).

Closing (10 minutes)

Lead a class discussion on the Battle of the Atlantic to complete the lesson. You may ask your students to share interesting things they learned in the reading comprehension. You could also ask them if they know a relative who was involved in the Battle of the Atlantic.

You might also want to suggest additional reading or viewing to your class. There are numerous options available at the library or by using a search engine on the Internet. For example, type in 'Quebec Naval Museum' and 'Bruce Turner' to read excerpt of this Canadian who served with the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) during the war and in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in peacetime. You can also type in 'Quebec Naval Museum' and 'Stanislas Déry' to learn about this man who enroled as a volunteer in 1939 with the Royal Canadian Navy on warships and was released with the rank of lieutenant-commander in July 1945.

You may also want to share with your students some Heroes Remember interviews with Canadians who served in the Merchant Navy, by using the Interviews with Canadian Merchant Navy Seamen.