Discover your local cenotaph!

With this activity students are encouraged to explore their community landscape and community history through the local cenotaph.

Created by Jessica Knapp

 — Posted October 19, 2016

In almost every Canadian city, town, and village, you’ll find a cenotaph (pronounced SEN-o-taff), a special spot to honour those who fought and died for our country. Visit a cenotaph in or near your community or select one from the article “Places to Remember” on pages 40 and 41 in the 2016 Remembrance Day digital issue of Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids to answer the following questions.

Download a print friendly version of this worksheet.

  1. What is a cenotaph?
  2. Who does this cenotaph honour?
  3. Where is this cenotaph located?
  4. What community features are nearby? (Examples: park, school, museum)
  5. When was this cenotaph built?
  6. What materials were used to build this cenotaph?
  7. What wars and/or battles are named on this cenotaph?
  8. Is there a quotation or poem on the cenotaph? Write it down and see what you can learn about where it comes from.
  9.  Is there a statue on the cenotaph? Draw a picture of it or write a poem about what it makes you think of.
  10. Write three names that appear on this cenotaph.
  11. If you could write or speak to one of these people, what would you say or what would you ask?

Themes associated with this article

Skip social share links

Related to Classroom Resources

Wampum Belts

Focus on the importance of wampum belts for ceremonial and diplomatic purposes, as well as to mark agreements such as Treaties and covenants.

Classroom Resource

Uniting Youth from Across Canada

The Vimy Pilgrimage Award consists of a fully funded week-long educational program in Belgium and France to study Canada’s tremendous First World War effort.

Classroom Resource

If Confederation Happened Today

Use this activity and the 2017 Summer issue of Kayak ​to engage your students with the concept of Confederation by asking them to think about it happening today! 

Classroom Resource

Teaching with The Beaver

We know that the legacy of The Beaver is complicated, sometimes even problematic. However, we also know that within the pages of the magazine there is great potential to encourage new questions and perspectives in sharing history with future generations.

Classroom Resource