Activity overview

Primary HTC concept(s)
explored in this activity

Continuity and Change guidepost 1 
Continuity and change are interwoven: both can exist together.

Continuity and Change guidepost 2 
​Change is a process, with varying paces and patterns. 

Secondary HTC concept(s)
explored in this activity
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Significance guidepost 1
Events, people, or developments have historical significance if they resulted in change.

Significance guidepost 2 
​Events, people, or developments have historical significance if they are revealing.

Students will engage in a case study to explore the similarities and differences between the battles for Vimy Ridge and Hill 70.
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Students will present their case study findings as pamphlets or posters. Teachers may offer the option to present from an historical or contemporary perspective.
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Students will view each others’ work in a Gallery Walk format to view and share findings. 

Students should be able to demonstrate understanding that both continuity and change can exist within the same time period, using examples from these two events to illustrate both continuity and change. Please see The Big Six Historical Thinking Concepts (2012) by Peter Seixas and Tom Morton, as well as the Historical Thinking Project website for further ideas for student assessment or to adapt these activities.

Questions posed to students in this activity

​Research question: What are the similarities and differences between the battles for Vimy Ridge and Hill 70?

​Inquiry question(s): Which one should be considered more significant? Why?

Considerations for teachers to introduce in student inquiry

​Additional guiding question for students: ​What has changed from the spring to the summer of 1917?