World War One Unit of Work

World War I: A Journey Through the Trenches
12-Lesson Unit of Work | Year 5 and Year 6 | Ages 10–11

Immerse pupils in the history of the First World War through this engaging, cross-curricular 12-lesson unit of work. Designed for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils, the unit combines historical enquiry with English and art, developing pupils’ understanding of life on the Western Front while strengthening their writing, research and creative skills.

The unit culminates in a Trench Diary, in which pupils draw upon their historical knowledge and understanding to write a series of imaginative, historically informed diary entries from the perspective of a First World War soldier.

Throughout the unit, pupils will develop their English language skills through poetry analysis, descriptive writing and diary composition. In art, they will explore wartime propaganda and design their own propaganda posters, considering the powerful role of imagery, symbolism and persuasive language in influencing public opinion.

Although designed for a non-selective school, the unit provides an appropriately ambitious level of challenge for pupils working above the national average. It introduces sophisticated historical terminology and encourages pupils to engage critically with historical sources, consider different perspectives and develop a nuanced understanding of the experiences of soldiers during the First World War.

Key historical terminology is woven throughout the lessons, including Western Front, trench warfare, stalemate, no man’s land, parapet, dugout, propaganda, conscription, armistice and attrition.

For UK-based schools, a visit to the Imperial War Museum is highly recommended as an enriching extension to the unit. The museum visit provides pupils with an opportunity to encounter genuine historical artefacts, deepen their understanding of the conflict and gather inspiration for their accompanying documentary challenge.

By the end of the unit, pupils will have developed a rich understanding of the First World War, alongside a portfolio of creative work that brings together historical knowledge, literary expression and artistic interpretation.