Britain at War

Year 6

Unit Overview

In the Britain at War project, your child will learn about the main causes of the First World War and which countries were the major players. They will investigate why so many men volunteered to fight and then sequence the events at the start of the war. Using various sources of evidence, the children will learn about life in the trenches and the consequences of new weaponry. They will listen to first-hand accounts of life on the home front and evaluate the impact of war on everyday life. They will also discover the events that led to the Allied Powers’ victory and the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles. The children will also learn about the causes and main events of the Second World War. They will find out how Britain prepared itself for war and the war’s impact on civilian life. They will learn about the Battle of Britain and how it proved to be a key turning point for the Allied Powers. They will also hear about Anne Frank and discover what her story tells us about the treatment of Jewish people by the Nazi Party. The children will research the causes and consequences of the end of the Second World War and investigate the legacy of the wars in Britain. Closer to home, the children will research the life of a local First World War hero who sacrificed their life fighting for Britain. They will also investigate the legacy of these global conflicts in the post-war period.

A siren sounds, a building crumbles, a Spitfire zooms overhead. Take cover. It’s 1939 and Britain is at war. Deep down in the Anderson shelter, learn why nations are fighting and why child evacuees must make the long journey from their homes and families into unknown territory. Read the diary of Anne Frank, written whilst hiding from the terrifying stormtroopers in a secret annexe, and try to empathise with her hopes and fears. Make do and mend. Cook up a family meal from meagre rations. Delve deep into a bygone era, when loose lips sunk ships. And, as peace is declared, let’s get ready to celebrate. Mr Churchill says ‘It’s an unconditional surrender.’

❇ MEMORABLE MOMENT

Stockport Air Raid Shelter visit:

You will become an evacuee for the day and taken back to 1941. You'll arrive as Evacuees to Stockport to be safe for the duration of WWII.

This is a historical role play day where pupils will step back in time to Wartime Britain. You'll be billeted on arrival as Evacuees. Our staff will be in role when you arrive and are expecting Evacuees from the Channel Islands, not your school. Pupils will learn 'in role' how to be 'good evacuees'.

Pupils will be given information about 'Life on the Home Front' by their interaction with many different characters. There will be hands on activities and songs to keep up their spirits.

️✏️ WRITING OPPORTUNITIES

Throughout this unit of work we will be writing recounts, balanced discussions, non-chronological reports and poetry based on Letters from the Lighthouse and My Secret War Diary

🌳 LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

In this unit of work we will attempt to grow our own to help with the war effort. Your homework will be a range of creative tasks such as designing a make do and mend board game or writing a creative piece in role as a chosen character.

Unit Sequence: Learning Intentions

  1. Evaluate the human impact of war on children (evacuation)

  2. To create a timeline of key events in WW2.

  3. Discuss the significance of a historical event in British history (Blitz)

  4. Describe and explain the significance of a leader or monarch (wartime leaders)

  5. Compare and contrast what life was like in WW2 with now (school then and now)

  6. Evaluate the human impact of war during WW2 (letters from the battlefield)

  7. Compare and contrast significant events in WW2 (homes now and then)

  8. To understand and explain the use of propaganda during WW2

  9. Evaluate the human impact of war on society (Holocaust)

  10. Recognise the impact WW2 had on post-war Britain (returning home)

🏁 BIG FINISH

We will be throwing out very own VE day party to celebrate the end of the War complete with war time food, music and celebratory games!

📖 FOCUS TEXT(S)

The class will be reading Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll and My Secret War Diary by Marcia Williams.