Black History Month Educational Template

Viola Desmond: A Legacy of Courage

Critical Thinking & Analytical Questions

Grades 3-5 (Social Studies, Language Arts, Arts)

1. Why do you think Viola Desmond refused to leave the Whites-only section of the theater?
2. How do you think Viola Desmond felt when she was arrested? How would you feel in her place?
3. Why is it important to learn about people like Viola Desmond?
4. How would Canada be different today if people like Viola Desmond had not stood up for their rights?
5. Can you think of a time when you saw something unfair happen? What did you do?
6. If you were Viola’s friend, how would you support her after her arrest?
7. What is a law? Do you think the law that separated Black and White people was fair? Why or why not?
8. What symbols could represent Viola Desmond’s story? Design one and explain your choice.
9. Imagine you are a reporter interviewing Viola Desmond. What five questions would you ask her?
10. If you could make a law to ensure everyone is treated fairly today, what would it be?

Grades 6-8 (Social Studies, Language Arts, Media Studies, Ethics)

1. What risks did Viola Desmond face by refusing to leave the Whites-only section?
2. How did the legal system fail Viola Desmond, and how does her case compare to racial justice cases today?
3. What role did businesses play in enforcing racial segregation in the 1940s?
4. How do you think Viola’s case might have been different if social media existed at the time?
5. What other Black Canadians have fought for racial justice? Compare their contributions to Viola Desmond’s.
6. How does systemic racism today compare to the racism Viola Desmond experienced?
7. What impact did Viola Desmond’s pardon in 2010 have on Canada’s understanding of its history?
8. Research the history of civil rights movements in Canada and compare them to those in the U.S.
9. How do media portrayals of Viola Desmond influence how we remember her?
10. Why do you think it took so long for Viola Desmond to receive recognition for her bravery?

Grades 9-12 (Social Studies, Law, History, Media, Politics, Ethics)

1. Analyze how Viola Desmond’s arrest highlighted systemic racism in Canada’s legal system.
2. What are the similarities and differences between Viola Desmond and Rosa Parks?
3. How did economic factors play a role in Viola Desmond’s decision to challenge segregation?
4. What does Viola Desmond’s case teach us about the relationship between race and law in Canada?
5. How have Canadian government policies on racial discrimination changed since Viola Desmond’s time?
6. Should historical injustices like Viola Desmond’s case be compensated financially? Why or why not?
7. How do we ensure that the lessons from Viola Desmond’s story remain relevant today?
8. How does Viola Desmond’s legacy fit into broader conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion?
9. How does intersectionality (race and gender) play a role in Viola Desmond’s story?
10. Compare Viola Desmond’s case to a modern example of racial discrimination. What has changed, and what has stayed the same?

Projects Using Arts, Technology, and Group Activities

1. Viola Desmond Digital Storytelling (Technology & Media)

Grade Level: 6-12
Subject Connection: Language Arts, History, Media Studies
Project:
Students use Canva, PowerPoint, or Google Slides to create a digital timeline of Viola Desmond’s life, including key dates, photos, and events. They can also create a short video or podcast summarizing her impact.
Learning Outcomes:

• Develop digital literacy and presentation skills.
• Analyze historical events and their consequences.
• Engage in multimedia storytelling.

2. Viola Desmond Theatre Production (Performing Arts & Group Collaboration)

Grade Level: 3-12 (Adaptable for all levels)
Subject Connection: Drama, Language Arts, History
Project:
Students work in groups to write and perform a short play or skit reenacting key moments in Viola Desmond’s life. They can write a script, create costumes, and even design a stage backdrop.
Learning Outcomes:

• Encourage collaborative learning.
• Explore creative expression through drama.
• Understand historical empathy and storytelling.

3. Protest Poster & Social Justice Art Exhibit (Visual Arts & Social Studies)

Grade Level: 3-12 (Adjust complexity by grade level)
Subject Connection: Visual Arts, History, Civics
Project:
Students create a protest poster inspired by Viola Desmond’s activism. They can use drawing, painting, or digital design to express themes of justice, equality, and civil rights. Schools can hold a mini-exhibit to showcase the posters.
Learning Outcomes:

• Connect art to activism and social justice.
• Encourage creative self-expression.
• Promote discussion on human rights and discrimination.

1. Interactive Timeline App (Technology and History): Challenge students to design an interactive timeline app that chronicles Viola Desmond's life, including key events and milestones. They can use platforms like TimelineJS or develop a custom app using programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This project encourages research, design, and coding skills.

2. Virtual Reality (VR) Documentary (Virtual Reality and Filmmaking): Have students create a VR documentary about Viola Desmond's life and her impact on Canadian civil rights. They can use 360-degree cameras and VR software like Unity or Adobe Premiere Pro to produce an immersive documentary experience. This project combines storytelling, filmmaking, and VR technology.

3. Digital Archive Project (Archival Research and Data Management): Task students with building a digital archive dedicated to Viola Desmond. They can curate and digitize historical documents, photographs, and news clippings related to her life and activism. This project involves archival research, digitization, and database management skills.

4. Social Media Awareness Campaign (Digital Marketing and Advocacy): Have students develop a social media awareness campaign that educates their peers about Viola Desmond's legacy. They can create engaging content for platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to share her story and promote discussions about civil rights. This project combines digital marketing and advocacy skills.

5. Educational Mobile App (App Development and Design): Challenge students to create an educational mobile app about Viola Desmond's life and contributions. They can design the user interface and develop the app using app-building platforms like MIT App Inventor or Appy Pie. This project introduces app development, user experience design, and historical research.

RESOURCES:

VIDEOS

1. Viola Desmond | New Face on Canada's $10 Bill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bb_nkZNh8M

2. Long Road to Justice - The Viola Desmond Story (Full Documentary)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI00i9BtsQ8

3. The story of Viola Desmond

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szSqfmbXx0Y

ARTICLES

1. Viola Desmond National Historic Person (1914-1965)

https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/res/information-backgrounder/Viola_Desmond

2. 5 Interesting Facts About Viola Desmond

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/5-interesting-facts-viola-desmond-115231846.html

3. Civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond commemorated at site of her 1946 arrest

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/viola-desmond-commemorated-at-site-of-1946-arrest-1.6550051 .