Learning

Introductory Essay

This short essay focuses on education within schools and universities during the Second World War in order to explore the relationship between war and learning. In elementary schools, high schools,…
Canada’s participation in the First World War has often been described as a coming-of-age – a trial by fire that transformed an immature colonial polity into an independent adult nation. Yet despite…

Modern war in school

A Prince Edward Island schoolboy used these exercise books during the Second World War for mathematics and writing; there were six different books in the "Branches of the Service" series.

A school play from 1917

Drill was very popular in Canadian schools before the First World War and became even more popular after 1914, when it was used as a vehicle for patriotic instruction.

Rule Britannia.pdf (2.17 MB)

Patriotic notebooks

Schoolboy Clarence Geddes used these notebooks for History and Geometry classes. They probably date from early in the First World War.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

The Red Cross Conservation Department was responsible for saving waste material - everything from fat and bones to scrap metal - to be turned into weapons. Collecting such things was a popular activity for schoolchildren.

Collecting cards from cocoa

Children who collected these cards could trade them, or use them to learn semaphore or as a bookmark.

The Kaiser's Last Will

This parody, probably printed at the end of the First World War, was typically of such humour that poked fun at the enemy. Once they had been defeated, Canadians could afford to take them less seriously.

The Empire's Roll of Valour

This keepsake was published after the First World War by a children's magazine, and gave youngsters a place to keep souvenir cards picturing such subjects as the Battle of Vimy Ridge and Victoria Cross-winners Billy Bishop and Tom Dinesen.

Wallet.pdf (24.04 MB)

A children's book in wartime

First published in 1914 as a fund-raising venture in aid of refugee children in Belgium, it was later reprinted to aid the charitable work of the Comtesse de Suzannet.

Belgian Hare.pdf (36.29 MB)

Carrying the Tools to Britain

This game was designed, probably in 1942, by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation "to enable listeners of all ages to better visualize the mobilization of this country's vast resources in the gigantic war effort in which we are now engaged."

Air Raid Precautions - Protection of Schools and School Children

Part of a larger series, this booklet detailed the necessary steps in protecting schools from potential air raids.