CO - For Teachers - Activities

For Teachers - Activities - Hard Questions

The conscientious objector story helps us better understand Canadian society during the war years. The history of COs raises challenging questions about our own actions and the choices of others. This section lists questions of war, peace, and conscientious objection, and some suggested answers.

Activities

• Find out where there is conflict in the world today and how non-military people are working to bring peace and relief. Some examples are missionaries, aid and relief workers, MSF (Doctors Without Borders), the Red Cross, etc.

• Interview your grandparents or someone who was alive during the war. If you can, record it on audio or video tape, or take pictures. Write a report on their wartime experiences and impression of the COs .

• Find out if your school has a bullying policy. What does it say. How does a non-violent approach to solving problems relate to the experience of the COs ?

• What does a red poppy mean to you? Compare it to a white poppy. Make your own poppy using these directions.

• Ask someone from Amnesty International or UNICEF to tell you about the effect of war on children.

• Write and perform a drama focusing on

• a CO working for a farmer whose son is in the army

• an angry crowd confronting some COs

The “Hard Questions” section can help students:

• understand and value the contributions communities and the lessons of diversity and culture tolerance

• learn how people interact with others who have different opinions

• make decisions that reflect fairness and equality in their interactions with others

• use a variety of strategies to resolve conflicts peacefully and fairly

• develop critical and creative thinking

• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of solutions to a problem

• draw conclusions based on research and evidence

• evaluate personal assumptions based on new information and ideas

• distinguish fact from opinion and interpretation

• compare diverse perspectives in a variety of information sources

• improve communication skills

• listen to others to understand their perspective

• use language that is respectful of human diversity

• persuasively express differing viewpoints regarding an issue

• elicit and clarify questions and ideas in discussions

• articulate their beliefs and perspectives on issues

• promote diversity and tolerance for people with different ideas