Lesson Plan: WWII: The Beauty of Nature during War

Lesson Plan

Before Exploring

Explain to the students that the life of a soldier in WWII was often uneventful, even boring. Ask them to describe times they have been bored. Then ask them to write one or two paragraphs describing something that they consider to be beautiful. Remind them to use descriptive language to create an image of what they perceive.

Outline the Opportunity

Have the students listen to the clip titled "Dawn Patrol", from 15 July 1944 in the topic 1939-1945: A Soldiers War on the CBC Digital Archives website, and then complete one of the activities below.

• Write a poem creating a picture in words that describes the sunrise as was done in the pilot's letter.

•  Draw and/or paint a picture that shows what the letter described in words.

•  Write a comparable description of a sunrise near your home as if you were responding to the pilot in a letter.

Revisit and Reflect

Have students share and compare their work. Ask students: What elements of the various products are similar? Why? Are there major differences in how you have interpreted or illustrated the pilot's words? Why?

Extension

In role as the recipient of the pilot's letter, students can write a journal entry describing how they feel after reading the letter.