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Lesson plan of World War I

History

Original Teachy

World War I

Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

  1. Understand the historical context that led to the beginning of the 1st World War, identifying the main political, economic, and social factors that contributed to the conflict.

  2. Analyze the characteristics and developments of the war, identifying the main events and battles that marked the conflict.

  3. Evaluate the legacy of the 1st World War, highlighting its consequences for the international scenario, geopolitical changes, and the situation of the countries involved after the conflict.

Secondary Objectives:

  • Develop research, reading, and interpretation skills of texts and historical sources related to the 1st World War.

  • Stimulate critical thinking, analysis, and argumentation on the topic, encouraging students to form their own opinions and interpretations.

  • Promote understanding of the importance of studying History for the understanding of the contemporary world and for the formation of critical and conscious citizens.

The teacher should start the class by presenting the Objectives and explaining what the students will learn. It is important that students are informed about how the content will be approached and how they will be evaluated. This helps to create clear expectations and keep students engaged throughout the class.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

  1. Review of Previous Contents: The teacher should start the class by briefly reviewing the main historical events that preceded the 1st World War. This may involve discussing imperialism, the alliance system, tensions between the great powers, among others. The review should be done interactively, encouraging students to participate and share what they remember from previous contents. (3 - 5 minutes)

  2. Problem Situations: The teacher can propose two problem situations to arouse students' interest and introduce the topic of the class. The first one could be: 'Imagine you are a young European living in the years leading up to the 1st World War. How do you think you would feel in the face of the tensions and conflicts that were happening at the time?' The second one could be: 'If you were a political leader at the time of the 1st World War, how do you think you would have dealt with the situation? What actions would you have taken to avoid the conflict?' The problem situations should be followed by a brief classroom discussion, where students are encouraged to express their opinions and ideas. (5 - 7 minutes)

  3. Contextualization: The teacher should then contextualize the importance of studying the 1st World War, showing how this conflict had an impact not only on history but also on the formation of the current world. For example, it can be discussed how the 1st World War contributed to the formation of current borders, the emergence of new world powers, the definition of new political regimes, among others. (2 - 3 minutes)

  4. Introduction to the Topic: Finally, the teacher should introduce the topic of the 1st World War, presenting some curiosities and interesting facts to capture the students' attention. For example, it can be mentioned that the 1st World War was the first war to be widely documented in photographs and that it was during this conflict that many of the technologies we still use today, such as submarines and tanks, emerged. (2 - 3 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

  1. War Contextualization (5 - 7 minutes)

    • The teacher should explain that the 1st World War was a conflict that involved the main world powers of the time, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Triple Entente (France, United Kingdom, and Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Italy, which later abandoned the alliance).
    • It should be emphasized that the war began in 1914, after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, by a Serbian nationalist.
    • The teacher should highlight that the assassination of the Archduke was just the trigger for the start of the war. In fact, the conflict was the result of a series of tensions and accumulated rivalries over time, including territorial disputes, economic and political rivalries, and the arms race.
  2. War Development (5 - 7 minutes)

    • The teacher should explain that the 1st World War was a trench warfare, characterized by long and bloody battles in which the sides faced each other in fortified trenches.
    • The importance of using new war technologies, such as machine guns, submarines, and airplanes, which made the war even more deadly and destructive, should be highlighted.
    • The teacher should explain that the war was marked by a series of large-scale battles and offensives, such as the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Verdun, and the Spring Offensive, which resulted in millions of deaths and injuries.
    • It should also be mentioned the involvement of countries from other parts of the world in the war, such as the United States, which entered the conflict in 1917.
  3. End of the War and Consequences (5 - 7 minutes)

    • The teacher should explain that the 1st World War ended in 1918, with the signing of the Armistice of Compiègne, which ended hostilities on the western front.
    • It should be emphasized that the war had a huge human and material cost, with millions dead and wounded and large areas of Europe devastated.
    • The teacher should explain that the end of the war brought significant changes in the international scenario, including the collapse of empires, the redefinition of borders, and the emergence of new countries.
    • It should also be mentioned that the 1st World War had a profound impact on society and culture, with the emergence of new forms of art and literature that reflected the disillusionment and horror of war.
    • The teacher should explain that the 1st World War also had long-term consequences, including the rise of Nazism in Germany and the beginning of the Second World War.
  4. Questions and Answers (3 - 4 minutes)

    • After the explanation, the teacher should open space for questions and answers, allowing students to clarify their doubts and share their opinions and thoughts on the topic. The teacher should encourage the participation of all students, ensuring that everyone feels included and valued.

Return (8 - 10 minutes)

  1. Connection with the Real World (3 - 4 minutes):

    • The teacher should propose a reflection on how the events of the 1st World War continue to impact the current world. This may include discussing current conflicts in regions that were affected by the war, such as the Balkans and the Middle East, and the influence of the 1st World War on the emergence of political movements and ideologies that are still relevant today, such as fascism and communism.
    • In addition, the teacher can discuss how the 1st World War changed the world's perception of war, leading to the development of international organizations like the League of Nations (predecessor of the UN) and the adoption of international treaties and laws to prevent war and protect human rights.
  2. Content Review (2 - 3 minutes):

    • The teacher should quickly review the main points covered in the class, reinforcing students' understanding of the beginning, development, and consequences of the 1st World War.
    • Emphasis should be placed on the most important points, such as the causes of the conflict, the involvement of different countries, the main battles and offensives, and the geopolitical and social changes resulting from the war.
  3. Individual Reflection (1 - 2 minutes):

    • The teacher should propose that students reflect individually on what they learned in class.
    • Questions like: 'What was the most important aspect of the 1st World War that you learned today?' and 'What questions have not been answered yet?' can be asked.
    • Students should be encouraged to write down their reflections, which can be shared in future classes or used as a basis for review or assessment activities.
  4. Sharing Reflections (2 - 3 minutes):

    • The teacher should then propose that students share their reflections, allowing them to express their opinions and thoughts on the topic.
    • This can be done orally, with students talking about their reflections, or in writing, with students writing a short paragraph about what they learned and what questions they still have.
    • The teacher should ensure that all students have the opportunity to share their reflections and that everyone feels respected and valued.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

  1. Summary of Contents (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should recap the main points covered during the class, reinforcing students' understanding of the context, development, and consequences of the 1st World War. This may include a summary of the main causes of the conflict, the most significant battles and offensives, and the geopolitical and social changes resulting from the war. The teacher should ensure that all students have understood these concepts and are prepared to apply them in future discussions or activities.

  2. Connection between Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should explain how the class connected theory (historical concepts and events), practice (discussion and analysis of events), and applications (reflection on the current implications of the 1st World War). This may include discussing how the study of History helps us understand the current world, develop critical thinking skills, and form an informed and responsible view of the world.

  3. Extra Materials (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should suggest extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the 1st World War. This may include books, documentaries, films, educational games, websites of historical research institutions, among others. The teacher should briefly explain the content of these materials and how they can help students better understand the class topic.

  4. Relevance of the Subject (1 - 2 minutes): Finally, the teacher should highlight the importance of studying the 1st World War for understanding the current world. This may include discussing how the 1st World War shaped the world we live in today, contributing to the formation of current borders, the definition of new political regimes, the rise of new world powers, among others. The teacher should emphasize that the study of History is not only about past events but also about how these events continue to influence and shape the world we live in.

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