Jump to page content
Small text Medium text Large text For teachers Glossaire Site map Home
Text size Text and printable version
WWII: An Overview in Moving PicturesWWII: An Overview in Moving PicturesMany Voices, Many StoriesMany Voices, Many StoriesThe Home FrontThe Home FrontCritical PerspectivesCritical PerspectivesSee Everything, Hear EverythingSee Everything, Hear Everything
Home > For teachers
For teachers
Introduction
On All Fronts is an educational Web site that draws upon the NFB’s legendary film collection to bring the Canadian experience of WWII into vibrant focus for a new generation. Ideal for secondary and post-secondary levels, the site features over 130 films – from wartime productions to contemporary titles – offering an engaging and multifaceted resource on this pivotal chapter in our history. Teacher guides and supplementary materials are provided.
Consult this short presentation of the site »»
Glossary
Discover the meaning of words and expressions used in the films or articles on this site.
Consult glossary »»
Access all lesson plans
Lesson plan related to the theme
Propaganda: The Battle for Hearts and Minds
Students will view video clips taken from NFB films made during World War II. They will discover some of the messages Canada put forth during the War and will consider whether the term "propaganda" fits. Students will develop image-shaping campaigns using 21st century media and consider the propaganda potential of vehicles such as blogs and podcasts.
Consult this lesson plan »»
Content areas Canadian Studies, French, History, Language Arts, Media Studies, Social Studies
Lesson plan for the film
Unwanted Soldiers
Students will gain an understanding of how Canada's enlistment policies discriminated against Chinese Canadians during the Second World War and how this discrimination was part of a broader pattern of racial discrimination prevalent at the time. The viewers will identify specific examples from the film using visual arts and fictional journal writing.
Consult this lesson plan »»
Plan specific to a film
Unwanted Soldiers
[1999]
Film  (48:48)
Content areas Citizenship, History, Politics, Social Studies
Lesson plan for the film
Mackenzie King and the Conscription Crisis
This lesson plan involves several group activities to get students thinking about Canada's role in wars present and past. They will analyze the role of politicians, Canadian army commanders and civilians as they exercised their freedoms and responsibilities.
Consult this lesson plan »»
Plan specific to a film
Mackenzie King and the Conscription Crisis
[1991]
Film  (31:02)
Content areas History, Language Arts, Social Studies
Lesson plan for the film
The Pacifist Who Went to War
Using conscientious objection during World War II as a springboard, this lesson plan includes a range of activities that challenge students to broaden their perceptions of pacifism and explore the evolution of the peace movement in Canada.
Consult this lesson plan »»
Plan specific to a film
The Pacifist Who Went to War
[2002]
Film  (51:59)
Content areas Citizenship, Language Arts, Media Studies, Social Studies
Lesson plan for the film
Fields of Sacrifice
These two activities explore the main theme of Fields of Sacrifice: the collective memory of World War II. The first considers these battles as turning points. The second is an extended project to answer the focus question "How should we remember World War II?" for a Remembrance Day ceremony.
Consult this lesson plan »»
Plan specific to a film
Fields of Sacrifice
[1963]
Film  (38:13)
Content areas History
Lesson plan for the film
Bravery in the Field
This lesson encourages the learner to examine and evaluate the decorations awarded to Canadian military personnel and to propose designs and explain criteria for new medals. Students will also write journal entries revolving around events that exhibit violence and a lack of respect towards decorated war veterans.
Consult this lesson plan »»
Plan specific to a film
Bravery in the Field
[1979]
Film  (28:35)
Content areas Citizenship, History, Language Arts, Social Studies
Lesson plan for the film
Lost Over Burma: Search for Closure
A 4-class lesson plan designed to help students design their own games using MS PowerPoint as a vehicle. Students must research a historical event in order to find relationships between facts. The historical event becomes an intricate story that must be re-presented in a way that conforms to the interactive nature of a game.
Consult this lesson plan »»
Plan specific to a film
Lost Over Burma: Search for Closure
[1997]
Film  (46:35)
Content areas Social Studies
Lesson plan for the film
Rosies of the North
The lesson gives students an opportunity to see how the role of women in the workplace has changed significantly over the past century. This information is presented in the critical time period of WWII.
Consult this lesson plan »»
Plan specific to a film
Rosies of the North
[1999]
Film  (46:40)
Content areas Canadian Studies, French, History, Language Arts, Social Studies