Teacher Resources for Instructional Planning


Grade 6, Social Studies Std 5: Identify causes of World War I and reasons for entry into the war by the United States.

Lesson Plans: Entry into WWI Presented by Marco Polo, this lesson will examine the events and factors that led to U.S. participation in the war. The lesson plan provides some resources and several guiding questions for students to follow. World War I and Its Aftermath In this lesson, students discuss what the term nationalism means; research this concept as it relates to the beginning of World War I; and participate in a debate about the pros and cons of nationalism. Group Newspaper Presentations In this mini-lesson, students will create a Newspaper about World War I. Student work in small groups to research and write. The lesson plan includes grading a outline. Drums of War: Exploring How Politics Shapes American War Policy In this New York Times lesson, students will research the political climate prior to major American wars of the past, then reflect on the current call for power to confront Iraq. The Blame Game This lesson is designed to help students investigate the sinking of the RMS Lusitania on May 7, 1915, by a German submarine while en route from the United States to England. Students will take various roles and act as an "international board of inquiry" to determine fault and responsibility for the sinking of the Lusitania. The July Crisis: Can You Stop the Great War? In this lesson, students pretend they are a diplomat for one of the countries involved in the origins of World War I. Can they stop the Great War? Causes of World War I In this lesson from the United Kingdom, students investigate the causes of the First World War, explore why a European war broke out in 1914, and identify events in Europe leading up to the outbreak of war in Europe. Woodrow Wilson: War and Peace In this lesson, students learn about the factors contributing to World War I, become familiar about the decision making process which led America into war, and learn about the history and development of the League of Nations. Paris Peace Conference: Writing a Treaty to End World War This problem-based learning unit asks students to assume roles as experts from countries that participated in World War I. These experts will meet both in expert groups and with their respective country representatives to determine what terms, in four specific areas, should be included in the treaty which will formally end the war. Alliance Game, International Alliances In this lesson, students engage in a simulation game. Afterward, they will understand how alliances made before WWI influenced the makeup of the war and its outcome. Art Imitates Life In this lesson from Education World, students study postcards of World War I and create prints that reflect their lives. World War I Unit The five (5) lessons below are from the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Students learn about propaganda, the selective service, and patriotism during World War I Lesson 1: The Power of the Press Lesson 2: A Question of Honor: The Selective Service Lesson 3: Black Alabamians in World War I Lesson 4: The Home Front: Food Will Win the War Lesson 5: Signing Up For Action and Supporting the Action

Resources: The Great War This interactive gallery will allow you to follow the changing face of eastern Europe during many of the critical events of the Great War. The World War I Document Archive (BYU) An important source of links to primary documents, such as treaties and personal recollections. The Great War (PBS) This site includes interviews, maps, and an interactive timeline. Eyewitness on World War I This site has first-hand accounts of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the death of an American pilot, and a German U-boat attack. The Great War This site provides a detailed list of WWI-related Web sites. The Great War Society 1914-1918 This is a site for students and researchers that features numerous links to WWI topics. American Memory A gateway to rich primary source materials relating to the history and culture of the United States. The site offers more than 7 million digital items from more than 100 historical collections. Digital History This site provides links to American history web sites by period and provide historical overviews, readings, primary source documents, maps, cartoons, teaching resources, and audio-visual resources.
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