In a context where we are increasingly exposed to fake news, it is essential for students to develop healthy research habits. This activity gives students the tools and skills to research and analyze historical and academic sources. Students have to research three different sources related to the October Crisis of 1970 and analyze them using the historical method interpretation tool.
This activity was designed to accompany our Our Soldiers in the Streets: The 1970 October Crisis exhibit. The exhibition is also available for free to your school by completing our reservation form.
The activities in our module can be used individually, or in sequence. The sequential approach will allow students to explore this fascinating subject, while leaving ample room for their curiosity and their desire to deepen their knowledge. If the teacher wishes to use the four activities together, we suggest the following progression: “Timeline: Understanding the October Crisis“, “Analyzing and Interpreting Sources“, “War Measures Act Debate” and “Letter to a Loved One“.
Activity content
We recommend spreading this activity over three periods. The teacher’s guide allows teachers to lead their class through the activity by explaining the instructions. As an example, the teacher should begin by analyzing a cartoon by André-Philippe Côté by answering a series of questions with the rest of the class.
Working in teams of two or three, students must then choose three different sources from the digital media file: an image or photograph, a caricature, and a written source. For each source, students will answer various questions using their student guide.
Please note that there is no need to print the provided student guide, as it can now be completed directly from your computer! To use the fillable function, be sure to download the PDF and use the appropriate software.
Activity objectives
The goal of these activities is to allow secondary cycle two students to have a greater understanding of the October Crisis and its impacts in the province of Quebec. Students will thus be able to better understand the political context in Quebec, Canada, and internationally at the time.
These activities were created as educational tools to complement the Quebec Education Program of secondary 4 History and secondary 5 History of the 20th and Contemporary World courses. In addition, these activities can also be used as language tools in the following courses: Francais langue maternelle (in secondary 3, 4 and 5), Français, secondary language, English, secondary language (in secondary 3, 4 and 5) and English Language Arts.
Activities you might also like
Document Analysis
In this activity, students will critically analyze primary source documents and establish facts, identifying differences and similarities regarding the Dieppe Raid and Canada’s tragic losses in the form of Intellectual Operations, as per the QEP Provincial History course.
Document Analysis: Divided Canadians and the Conscription Crisis
The conscription crisis is undoubtedly one of the most significant events in Quebec’s history and this activity will help students to better understand the debate around conscription during World War II. By analyzing and comparing different points of view and researching the various players in the debate, students will be better equipped to understand this episode in the province’s history.
Timeline: Understanding the October Crisis
The October Crisis is a complex event with, in reality, many important moments! In this activity, students will summarize and put in order various events related to the October Crisis, as well as associate each one with a photo or video from the archives.