New
New
Year 1

Elizabeth and Britain during WW2

I can describe Elizabeth's experiences during the Second World War.

New
New
Year 1

Elizabeth and Britain during WW2

I can describe Elizabeth's experiences during the Second World War.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In 1939, England began fighting in the Second World War and much of the country was in danger of attack.
  2. Elizabeth and her family were moved out of London to keep them safe; many children were evacuated like this.
  3. Like the rest of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth and her family experienced air raid drills and rationing.
  4. Elizabeth joined a special part of the army, that was created for women, by driving and repairing vehicles.
  5. Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast during the war, speaking to other evacuated children.

Keywords

  • War - war is when groups of people fight one another

  • United Kingdom - the collection of four countries England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

  • Rationing - when everyone is given a fixed amount of items to make sure there is enough for everyone

  • Army - a group of soldiers who fight with weapons, usually for a country

  • Radio - a radio is a device that gives information that is listened to

Common misconception

Pupils may think that Elizabeth fought actively during the war.

She contributed remotely but played a role that was just as pivotal.

Incorporate role play into this lesson to overcome the sensitivity of the topic. You could also visit local sites, library archives and museums . Some popular children's movies are set in this time too and could be a point for discussion.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Elizabeth was heir to the throne for which country?
France
Correct answer: England
Spain
Q2.
Where did Elizabeth live when she became heir to the throne?
Correct answer: Buckingham Palace, London
Windsor Castle, Great Windsor Park
Balmoral Castle, Scotland
Q3.
What is a soldier?
Correct answer: Someone who fights for a country
Someone who rules a country
Someone who sings for a country
Q4.
Which of these is not a country?
Correct answer: London
England
Germany
Q5.
Which two existed when Elizabeth was heir to the throne?
iPad
Correct answer: TV
Correct answer: Telegram
Q6.
What did Elizabeth start to learn when she became heir to the throne?
Correct answer: law
dancing
horse riding
Correct answer: religion

6 Questions

Q1.
When did World War Two begin?
Correct answer: 1939
2023
1977
Q2.
Where were Elizabeth, her family and children evacuated from?
England
Correct answer: London
Wales
Q3.
What were air raid drills?
When everyone had an equal amount of food shared out between them
Correct answer: When everyone would practice what they would do if a bomb landed
When everyone would fight in the army
Q4.
Who was able to join the special part of the army that Elizabeth was a part of?
Children
Correct answer: Women
Men
Q5.
What did Elizabeth not do when she was part of the army?
become a car mechanic
Correct answer: fight on the battlefield
read maps
Q6.
A radio is...
Correct answer: a device that you can listen to but you cannot watch
a device that you can listen to and also watch
a device you can play on

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