Spring 2017

War of 1812: Conflict and Challenges Program Outline for Teachers

Social Studies Curriculum for Grade 7:

Canada, 1800 – 1850: Conflict and Challenges

STRAND B1, B2 and B3

Program Outline

Time Activity Location Description 5 min Arrival Conservation

Education Centre - outdoors

Students will de-board the bus and assemble outside of the Conservation Education Centre.

5 min Welcome Conservation Education Centre - outdoors

The Curator will introduce herself and outline the program for the day.

10 min Inspection of Recruits Roll Call

Conservation Education Centre - outdoors

Role Playing The Curator will step into role as the Major of the Norfolk Militia and inspect the recruits. Students will separate into two lines representing British and American recruits and line up facing each other. The Captain will occupy the first position in line and the Sergeant will take the last place in line. The Major will address the recruits and command each student to step forward for Roll Call.

45 min The Mill that Didn’t Burn: A History of the War of 1812 in Norfolk County

Backhouse Mill Historical Significance, Cause and Consequence

A. The Curator will march the recruits to the Backhouse Mill and reform lines on either side of the entrance door. Here, the Major will take recruits through basic standing drill.

B. The Curator will step out of role, make the students comfortable and take them through the chronology of what happened during the war of 1812. At 1814, the students will enter the Mill and learn about the significance of this building to the history of Norfolk County.

C. With the conclusion of the discussion of

Spring 2017

the consequences of the War of 1812, the Curator will step back into role and deem the recruits worthy of becoming soldiers for the British and American armies. Students will file out of the mill and be armed with muskets and colours.

D. The Major will take the soldiers through marching drill and lead them into the Historic Village.

The Life of a Soldier Unit 15 min Break Community Hall First stop is the Community Hall. Students will

leave their bags, lunches and backpacks here for the day. All lunches and breaks will take place in this room. Students will take a washroom break before next unit of programming begins. Note: This is a heated space. Since many of the buildings used in this program are unheated, the Curator will add ‘warm up’ breaks to return the class to this building in the event of cold weather.

20 min The Life of a Soldier in 1812

Community Hall Historical Perspective Using replica artifacts and costume, a female volunteer will be dressed as a 89th Regiment of Foot, British Infantry soldier to focus discussion on the conditions and experiences of British soldiers in Upper Canada in 1812.

30 min War of 1812 battle re-enactment

Parade Grounds Role Playing The Curator will step back into role and march the students onto the parade ground. Here, she will take students through musket drill and fighting from the line. Once the students are comfortable, the Major will issue battle orders to the Officers who will take their soldiers through battle scenarios. The “winner” of the “battle” will be determined by the Major, the teacher and any participating Parent Volunteers. Staying in the line of battle will be a determining factor in that selection.

30 min Lunch Community Hall Students will return to the Community Hall for their lunch. After lunch, a selection of 19th century games and toys has been set up in the Community Hall. Students are welcome to use these games to experience a 19th century recess. Games may be played outside or inside, weather permitting. Stilts and hobby horses may only be used out of doors.

Spring 2017

Role of Women and Aboriginal people during the War of 1812 Unit 30 min Getting Dressed

from the inside out: Role of women in 1812

Cherry Valley School House Continuity and Change

9 or 10 male volunteers will try on (or hold up) the layers of clothing women wore in 1812 to focus discussion on the very different role of women in 1812 from today.

30 min Specific contribution of women and aboriginal allies to the war effort in 1812

Cherry Valley School House

An Inquiry Activity: Students will work in teams to identify artifacts from the museum’s collection relating to the role of women and aboriginal people to the War of 1812. Each team will record their ideas on a worksheet and then present their ideas for discussion with the rest of the class. The completed worksheets will be given to the teacher at the end of this activity.

15 min Departure Community Hall Backhouse Mill Conservation Education Centre

The class will return to the Community Hall to pick up their belongings and their musket. There will be time for a washroom break. Students will line up one final time and march back to the Backhouse Mill. At the Mill, the Curator will ‘retire’ soldiers from 30 years of active duty and collect their muskets. The Curator will step out of role and answer any final questions before releasing the students to return to the Conservation Education Centre in time to catch their bus.