KS3 History: First World War - Life & Conditions in the Trenches (Letter & Sources)

In this 20 slide lesson, students will be able to gain an understanding of what life was like for the soldiers who experienced the trenches on the Western Front. Students will first analyse a choice of sources written by soldiers who experienced the front line. They will then be guided through their own research about life in the trenches before being given the opportunity to write their own ‘letter from the trenches’. This lesson also covers the issue of censorship.

This is a fully resources lesson which includes a warmup, starter task, engaging background information, various learning activities, challenge tasks and learning reviews.

The lesson includes the following:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2: Outline of the main lesson aims
Slide 3: As you enter activity – Photographic source analysis of a trench.
Slide 4: As you enter activity – Photographic source (higher level) ‘What can you infer from the source’ question.
Slide 5: Starter Task – Where do historians get their evidence about what life was like in a trench? Discussion and answers revealed.
Slide 6: Starter Task 2 – What factors did the experiences of soldiers depend on? Discussion and answers revealed.
Slide 7-: Activity 1: Single source analysis task with instructions.
Side 8-11: Activity 2: Multiple source analysis task with a choice of 12 sources all about life in the trenches and printable resources and clear instructions.
Slide 12-13: Activity 3: Life in the trenches research task with instructions, a check list and printable note making sheet.
Slide 14: Activity 4 – Writing a letter home instructions sheet.
Slide 15-17: Activity 5 – The censorship of letters and printable task sheet to censor a letter.
Slide 18: Useful clips about life in the trenches
Slide 19: Challenge Questions
Slide 20: Learning Review Activity

I would be really grateful if you could leave a review for the lesson if you feel the lesson is effective for you. Many thanks if you spend some of your valuable time doing this and your feedback is highly valued.

All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.