The Schlieffen Plan, WW1 Extended Writing

Failure of the Schlieffen Plan 1914 – Extended Writing Lesson

This complete lesson guides students through an extended writing task on the failure of the Schlieffen Plan during the First World War. Designed to build both historical understanding and writing skills, it includes a full set of differentiated resources to support all learners.

Students begin with a keyword recap task to secure core vocabulary before moving into an evidence-gathering activity using factor tables and seven detailed factor sheets. A factor categorisation task helps them organise their ideas thematically and develop clear analytical thinking.

The lesson provides structured writing guidance and differentiated writing frames, with a particular focus on using appositive sentences to add precision and depth. A stretch and challenge reading task features extracts from Blood and Iron by Katya Hoyer, encouraging wider reading and advanced historical analysis.

Lesson sequence:

Intro and keyword recap

Evidence table with seven factor sheets

Factor categorisation activity

Writing structure and differentiated writing frames

Peer assessment using a simple criteria matrix

Ideal for KS4 History, this resource is ready to teach and supports essay planning, source evaluation, and extended written responses — all while reinforcing key historical knowledge.

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