Trench warfare on the Western Front
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what conflict was like in World War One.
Key learning points
- World War One had many fronts; battles were fought on the Western Front, the Eastern Front, in Africa and in Asia.
- The Western Front saw the use of trench warfare where the conditions were terrible, and many people suffered.
- In some battles, like the Somme in 1917, mass attacks led to thousands of dead or wounded soldiers in a day.
- Many soldiers wrote letters or kept diaries to record their experiences.
Keywords
Front - a front refers to the line where opposing armies meet in battle
Trench - a trench is a long, deep hole dug in the ground, where soldiers fought from, lived in and used to shelter from the enemy
'No Man's Land' - the piece of land in between the defensive trenches of rival armies was called 'No Man's Land'
Morale - morale is a feeling of positivity about what is happening
Common misconception
Pupils may think trenches were dug like long, straight ditches.
Trenches were dug in a zig zag shape for better protection.
Teacher tip
It would be useful to investigate any letters sent by soldiers in your local area during World War One.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.WWI was fought between which years?
Q2.Why did so many countries become involved in WWI?
Q3.Where did soldiers who fought with the British forces in WWI come from?
Q4.Which countries formed 'The Triple Alliance'?
Q5.Which countries formed 'The Triple Entente'?
Q6.Imperial soldiers were soldiers who were from countries in the...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where were the major battle fronts in WWI?
Q2.During WWI, many soldiers died on both sides.
Q3.What things made life so hard for the soldiers living in trenches during WWI?
Q4.'Shell shock' is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Q5.What shape were the trenches dug in?
Q6.Match the keyword to the correct definition.
a line where the opposing armies meet in battle
a long, deep hole dug in the ground
the piece of land between the defensive trenches
To help you plan your 6 history lesson on: Trench warfare on the Western Front, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 history lesson on: Trench warfare on the Western Front, 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 The Great War: how did the Great War affect local people and their communities? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.