This is a double lesson suitable for 11-14 year olds but can be adapted for older students. The lesson takes students through the planned Nazi invasion of Britain, the response from the RAF, the aircraft involved, the role of foreign nations and women in the Battle of Britain and finally why Britain was victorious. The necessary resources are included in the lesson pack. Contents of the lesson: Part 1: Starter based on Churchill’s comments about the impending Nazi invasion of Britain Operation Sealion source analysis The evolution of aerial combat from WWI to WWII What aircraft were important in the Battle of Britain? Plenary: explain why Britain had to fight the Battle of Britain Part 2: Starter based on where the RAF pilots came from around the world How did RAF tactics defeat Germany in the Battle of Britain? Storyboard the Battle of Britain Plenary: why was Britain victorious in the skies

Learning objectives:​ To investigate the causes of WWII​ To evaluate whether or not we could have avoided WWII​ Starter: Students look at a cartoon based on the Treaty of Versailles and briefly discuss the effect it had on Germany and how it might have lead to WWII Task 1: Students watch video and answer questions summarising the events leading up to WWII Task 2: Students create a timeline of the causes of WWII in their books Task 3: Students write 2 PEEL paragraphs

Learning objectives:​ To understand the key events of the Battle of Dunkirk​ To investigate what it was like for the soldiers at Dunkirk​ I recommend starting the lesson with all students writing the date, title, learning objectives and key words in that order. An easy engagement activity is to ask students by name to read these out from the board, including the Did You Know? Starter: students watch a video and answer questions about Blitzkrieg. Task 1: Students watch a video from Atonement and fill in a table of observations in their book. Task 2: Students study two visual sources, comment on and compare the two presentations of the evacuation. Task 3: This source is based on the textbook The 20th Century World. Students write PEEL paragraphs about why sources about the same events in history can be inconsistent. This can be adapted to any textbook with a few sources about Dunkirk or even with the visual sources from Task 2. Plenary: recap on propaganda and bias in historical sources

Learning objectives:​ To understand why Britain chose to retreat​ To evaluate the success of Operation Dynamo​ Starter: Students look at a leaflet dropped by the German Luftwaffe on the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk. Students answer questions and have a brief discussion about the effect of this sort of propaganda on the morale of an army. Task 1: This source is based on the textbook The 20th Century World but will work for any textbook you have on hand that has information on the Dunkirk evacuation. If your students have internet access they can do their own research. Students find reasons for and against the success of the evacuation. Task 2: Students watch Dunkirk on Netflix. It’s not necessary to watch the whole film, much to the disappointment of the class but they were enraptured by it. The first 23 minutes is roughly enough for students to gather enough information to fill in the table. If you have a longer lesson, try the challenge task where you compare it to the presentation of the beach in Atonement. Task 3: Why did the British succeed at Dunkirk? Students watch a video and identify and explain the key reasons. Plenary/homework: Was the Dunkirk evacuation a disaster or a triumph? Students write an extended answer using the information they have gathered.