War: Simulating Battle

By Robin Barker-James, 2000 Governor-General’s Award Finalist

INTENDED GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT AREA

Grade 9 and 10, History

CONCEPTS

A simulation can only hope to create a tiny part of what a battle experience may have been like. It is also a high-risk venture. Yet, the rewards to be gained in and out of the classroom will amply reward those teachers who are bold enough to try it. A complex role-play of this sort is concrete and hands-on. It uses a real environment, teaches respect and discipline, and creates inter-generational bridges. It will pull your classroom team together as a learning and working unit, open your curriculum to the community, and teach leadership and responsibility. It generates empathy and excitement, and kindles the sparks of students’ imaginations by making Canadian military history come to life. This simulation is a powerful and effective teaching tool.

INSTRUCTIONAL OUTCOMES

Students will:

learn the history of selected battles
feel some of the fear, anticipation, discomfort and excitement of simulated battle
work hard physically in a medium distance march, in construction, and during the rigors of simulated combat
learn a new respect for our veterans and their amazing achievements

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Regular classes in the World War units can give background information. You do not have to be studying the wars in order to do this kind of simulation. Much can be taught on site and then continually referred back to later in class.

About the Educator

Robin Barker-James works to promote remembrance of the world wars and Canada’s vital role in them. He uses simulations and role-playing to that end. He turns his farm into a First World War battlefield for a weekend-long trench warfare simulation. Students experience first hand some of the hardships faced by soldiers at war. Other units include a Boer War press conference, designing a primary documents exercise on the Halifax explosion and transforming the classroom into steerage and first class on the RMS Titanic. D-Day 2001 is a field trip to France for the June 6th ceremonies open to all interested Canadians.