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

Unit 9: What was it like for children in the Second World War?
Section 7: What were children's experiences of the war?

Objectives

Children should learn:

that the war affected children in different ways
that the war created many refugees
about the treatment of Jewish people during the war

Activities

Outcomes

Children:

Discuss with the children factors that might affect children's experiences of the war, eg where they lived, their nationality. Explain that children in many countries were bombed. Locate areas of heavy bombing on the world map.

Establish the idea of refugees having to leave their homes. Refer to the many children and their parents, who were imprisoned and killed because they were Jewish. Read extracts from the story of Anne Frank. Ask children to retell the story in their own words.

describe different experiences that children had of the war
suggest some reasons for these differences
retell the story of Anne Frank

Points to note

A range of material is available from the Imperial War Museum and from various charities about refugees, including the Refugee Council.

There are versions of the story of Anne Frank written for primary-age children.

Sections in this unit

<< previous section

next section >>

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?