Name: _______________ Date: ___________

WW1 Culminating Assignment

For this assignment, you will take on the role of a Canadian soldier fighting in WW1. Your task is to
write a letter home describing your experiences. You are to write this letter based on what you have
learned in class (e.g. PowerPoints, handouts, worksheets, textbook work, etc.). In your letter, you must
address the following:

1. Your identity – reference at least three points that you have learned about a particular ethnic
group, and explain how ethnicity influences your wartime experience as a soldier.
- Ethnicity/nationality (e.g. English, French, Indigenous, Black, Japanese, German and
Ukrainian Canadians)
- How does your ethnic identity influence your wartime experiences?
- Why did you go to war? How do you feel about the war now?
Refer back to class notes, handouts, worksheets and/or PowerPoints about this topic.
2. Your experiences in the trenches – include at least five facts about the trenches, and explain how
it has affected you as a solider. Each fact should be explained (do not simply list them)
- Life in the trenches (e.g. daily life, disease, environment, rats, food, weaponry)
Refer back to class notes, handouts, worksheets and/or PowerPoints about this topic. You may
also want to refer to pages 12-13 of the textbook: “Experience History, Canada Since WW1,”
and the “Digging Up the Trenches” video.
3. Your experiences in battle – pick one battle discussed in class, and describe your participation in
it. In your description, include at least five facts about the battle.
- Specific battles (e.g. Ypres, Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele)
Refer back to class notes, handouts, worksheets and/or PowerPoints about this topic. You
may also want to refer to pages 14-18 of the textbook: “Experience History, Canada Since WW1.”

When writing your letter, be mindful of appropriate letter writing conventions:

- Salutation (e.g. Hello __________, Dear ________)
- Date (e.g. April 10, 1917)
- Closing (e.g. Yours truly, ___________, Sincerely __________)
- Signature

Please ensure that your letter is:

- Legible (typed or handwritten)
- Double spaced, and 1 page in length
- Broken up into a series of paragraphs
- Checked for spelling, grammar and punctuation
- Written in formal language (do not use slang or inappropriate language)
- Creative! (E.g. tea bag stain, stamped envelope, pictures)

Note: You must hand in both a creative copy and a legible copy of your letter (plain text on white paper)

Assignment adapted from: Emery, G. (2018). WWI Culminating Assignment. History Resource. Mowat C.I.
Name: ______________________
Level 4
K/U Five facts about trench
- Explanation of what life warfare are exceptionally
was like in the trenches as explained, with reference
well as on the battlefield to how this impacts a
soldier’s life in the
trenches. One battle is
exceptionally explained,
with reference to five facts
discussed in class. There
is evidence of research
beyond classroom
/10 materials.
T Outstanding explanation of
- Analysis of how ethnic how one’s ethnic identity
identity influences wartime influenced wartime
experiences experiences for Canadian
soldiers. This is integrated
throughout the letter.
Three specific points are
/10 referenced.
C Excellent spelling,
- Spelling, grammar, grammar and punctuation.
punctuation Writing is clear and easy to
- Legibility read. Formatting is
- Formatting (double spaced, correct.
1 page, broken into
paragraphs, formal language)
- Legible copy provided /5
A Letter is unique, and
- Overall composition follows all letter-writing
(creativity, letter-writing conventions.
conventions) /5
Date: __________________
Level 3
Five facts about trench
warfare are sufficiently
explained, with reference
to how this impacts a
soldier’s life in the
trenches. One battle is
sufficiently explained, with
reference to five facts
discussed in class.
Good explanation of how
one’s ethnic identity
influenced wartime
experiences for Canadian
soldiers. Three points are
referenced.
Few spelling, grammar and
punctuation errors.
Writing is mostly clear and
easy to read. Few
formatting errors.
Letter shows evidence of
creativity, and follows
letter-writing conventions.
Level 2
Fewer than five facts about
trench warfare are
explained, with little
reference to how this
impacts a soldier’s life in
the trenches. Some
attempts are made to
explain a battle, however,
less than five facts are
referenced.
Some explanation of how
one’s ethnic identity
influenced wartime
experiences for Canadian
soldiers. Less than three
points are referenced.
Some spelling, grammar
and punctuation errors.
Writing is somewhat clear
and readable. Some
formatting errors.
Letter shows limited
evidence of creativity, and
mostly follows letter-
writing conventions.
/30
Level 1
No facts about trench
warfare are explained. No
attempts are made to
explain a battle.
No explanation of how
one’s ethnic identity
influenced wartime
experiences for Canadian
soldiers.
Several spelling, grammar
and punctuation errors.
Writing is not clear or easy
to read. Formatting is
incorrect.
Letter does not show
creativity, and does not
follow letter-writing
conventions.