CBC Archives

Begin a discussion with the students about memorial services. Encourage them to discuss why these are held, what they entail, who attends, and what happens during a memorial service. Have students take notes, or list information on the board or on chart paper for later reference.

As well, students will need a brief, note-form overview of Terry Fox's life journey. Create this with the class either during their research process, or at the end of the research stage but before students begin preparing their memorial.

Explain to students that, in groups of four or five, they will be planning a brief, powerful memorial service to celebrate Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope.

Have students research the life of Terry Fox, using the entire digital file, and any other resources they wish. Remind them to take accurate notes, and to cite their sources as they work.

Then have groups plan and write a brief memorial service to commemorate the life of Terry Fox. They may wish to use the graphic organizer on the Download Sheet for this activity (Terry Fox Memoriam) to organize their service. The only criteria for the service is that it be respectful, creative and informed.

Have each group create a draft of its memorial service, and present it to you. Students should then complete any revisions necessary.

Set aside time for the presentations, and invite each group to present its service. Encourage students to write in their journals to describe how they felt after each service.

You might consider presenting some of the memorial services to the entire school at such appropriate times as the anniversary date of the start or end of Fox’s run, the anniversary date of his death, or as part of school or community activities that lead up to the Marathon of Hope in September of each year.