The outbreak of the Second World War
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can recall some key information about the Second World War.
Key learning points
- The Second World War broke out in 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland.
- Having promised to defend Poland, Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany.
- When war was declared, many men and women joined the armed forces.
- The war lasted six years and brought about significant changes for many people.
- The Second World War has been seen as a turning point because the changes it brought were decisive and permanent.
Keywords
Nazi Germany - When Germany was governed by a group of people called the Nazis it was called Nazi Germany.
Poland - Poland is a country that lies between Germany and Russia.
Ration - When there is not enough of something, a ration is the small amount that each person is allowed to have equally.
Common misconception
Only British people fought for Britain during the Second World War.
Highlight how millions of men and women from around the world helped the British armed forces.
Teacher tip
Using an atlas or globe to point out the countries discussed in relation to the students' own location will help to support geographical understanding.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In what year did World War I start?
Q2.What country did Britain declare war with during World War I?
Q3.What name is World War I also called?
Q4.In what year did World War I end?
Q5.In history, what does the term 'allies' often refer to?
Q6.What was the British Empire?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When did Nazi Germany invade Poland?
Q2.On what date did Britain and France declare war on Nazi Germany?
Q3.In which year did the Second World War end?
Q4.Which of these countries did some of the people who joined the British Armed Forces come from?
Q5.Why did the government introduce food rationing during the Second World War?
Q6.When did food rationing end?
To help you plan your 6 history lesson on: The outbreak of the Second World War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 history lesson on: The outbreak of the Second World War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Significant turning points: how did experiences differ during WWII? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.