History at key stages 1 and 2 (Year 3/4)

Unit 9: What was it like for children in the Second World War?
Section 1: What was the Second World War? When and where did it take place?

Objectives

Children should learn:

when and where WWII took place
about the leaders and key events and dates of the war

Activities

Outcomes

Children:

Establish what children already know about the war. Use their responses, or provide a brief narrative, to introduce key information, including when the war took place, the main countries involved, why it started (Hitler's invasion of other countries and why Britain tried to stop him), how it was fought (invasion of other countries, mass bombings, sinking of ships using submarines), the names of leaders (such as Hitler and Churchill), and the defeat of Germany and Japan by the allied nations.

Use maps to establish why it was a 'world' war and a time line to locate when it happened.

suggest why it is called a 'world war'
know and use the names of leaders, key events and dates

Points to note

A class time line should be used to support chronological understanding.

A narrative account could be read or given by the teacher. Alternatively, a video could be used, eg a VE Day video.

In the discussion about the 'world' nature of the war, the contribution of Commonwealth countries could be explained. The Imperial War Museum pack Together focuses on this aspect.

This introductory activity could be supplemented with a visit to a local war memorial, and by reference to other wars, including contemporary ones, that the children know about.

Sections in this unit

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This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.


	1. What was the Second World War? When and where did it take place?
	2. What was the Blitz?
	3. Why were children evacuated?
	4. What was it like to be an evacuee?
	5. What did people eat during the war?
	6. In what other ways might the war have affected people?
	7. What were children's experiences of the war?
	8. What it was like to be a child living in this area in World War II?
	9. How did the Second World War affect children who lived in this locality?
	10. What has been done since to prevent another world war?