Remembrance Day Discussion What are we remembering, really?

Who Am I Mr. Nic Wong BA Honours (First Class) Psychology, BEd Secondary Social Studies Rugby and Country Music

Who Are You? Your name Some of your interests/hobbies, things you like/about you What do I need to know to help you best learn First 3 words that come to mind when you think “nationalism” First 3 words that come to mind when you think “internationalism”

Why I Choose Not to Wear a Poppy (Baig, 2012) http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/assed- baig/poppy-remembrance-_b_2052098.html highlight some key phrases that stand out to you highlight some things you might want to fact check

How Do You Feel? -5 0 5 I don’t agree I don’t care I agree

Fact Check

The Poppy What does this poem mean? In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow What does this poem mean? How do we see the poppy as a symbol? What does it stand for, is this time same as the text?

McCrae vs. Michael’s “keeping the faith” Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields, Sleep sweet - to rise anew! We caught the torch you threw And holding high, we keep the Faith With All who died. We cherish, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a lustre to the red Of the flower that blooms above the dead In Flanders Fields. And now the Torch and Poppy Red We wear in honor of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought McCrae vs. Michael’s “keeping the faith” “Blood of Heroes never dies” “We wear in honour of our dead” What about the living?

http://calgary. ctvnews http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/cupboards-nearly-bare-at- calgary-veterans-food-bank-1.3135140 http://calgaryherald.com/news/local- news/donations-soar-for-the-veteran-foods-bank- after-news-of-empty-shelves to what extent did Calgary respond to the Veteran’s food bank out of compassion or national identity?

Patriotism and National Identity Why do we wear the poppy, who are we remembering, how is it being remembered? “Asians, Muslims and black people wear extra big ones just to show their additional loyalty” “We need to give back — we have to” “by wearing it and accepting the current narrative, it does the opposite - it glorifies and promotes war.” To what extent do we need patriotism/nationalism?

Task Design a new symbol for remembrance day along with a half page rationale explaining your proposed symbol. Written rationale should include a reflection that is deep and thorough, explaining your position and perspective regarding who and what is being remembered and how your symbol adds meaning to that. If you feel like the poppy should remain as the symbol for Remembrance day, write that half page rationale explaining why, meeting the other criteria.

Rationale and reflection Poor Limited Satisfactory Proficient Excellent Rationale and reflection Rationale and reflection is shallow and does not indicate how symbol adds meaning to who and what is being remembered Rationale and reflection is simple and indicates briefly how symbol adds meaning to who and what is being remembered Rationale and reflection is thoughtful and indicates generally how symbol adds meaning to who and what is being remembered Rationale and reflection is complex and indicates in detail how symbol adds meaning to who and what is being remembered Rationale and reflection is deep and indicates thoroughly how symbol adds meaning to who and what is being remembered