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

Unit 9: What was it like for children in the Second World War?

Adapting the unit

Year 5 and 6 children could:

focus on comparing a typical local experience with a national experience and explore the reasons for similarities and differences
consider the messages given in the posters of the time
study different aspects of the war, eg 'Make do and mend', the role of women, 'Dig for victory'
compare information about evacuation from different types of sources, eg Does the picture match the text?
compare and contrast the main features of novels about children's experiences in the war in order to identify different experiences
link work on bombing raids to work in design and technology, as in Unit 6A 'Shelters', of the QCA scheme of work.

Sections in this unit

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?