World War 1
Discover the story of World War I, from the events that sparked the conflict to trench warfare, life on the home front and the changes that followed.
PlanBee World War One: KS2 History lessons, activities and resources
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee World War One: KS2 History lessons, activities and resources
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
PlanBee WW1 KS2 | World War 1 History Lessons | PlanBee
£16.99
£16.99

SKU: H56CS80300

Aimed at: Key Stage 2 | Year 5 and Year 6

Title: The Complete Series (7 lessons)
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£16.99
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Everything you need to teach this scheme

Fully planned lessons, each with:

lesson plans

Lesson plans

Easy-to-follow teaching guidance, plenaries and assessment questions

teaching slides

Teaching slides

Ready-to-use whole-class teaching presentations

differentiated activities for adaptive teaching

Differentiated activities

Three levels of differentiation to support adaptive teaching

alternative activities

Alternative activities

Extra activity options for greater flexibility

assessment

Assessment

Assessment questions and a scheme assessment grid

planning and reference

Planning & reference

Medium-term overview and Knowledge Organiser

✓ Written and created by experienced primary teachers.

WW1 KS2

Explore the causes, experiences and impact of the First World War with this complete, ready-to-teach WW1 KS2 History scheme of work for Years 5 and 6. Children will discover how World War 1 began, investigate life in the trenches, explore advances in weapons and technology, and find out how people and animals contributed to the war effort.

Across seven engaging lessons, children will explore some of the most important events and themes of World War 1, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the outbreak of war in 1914 to the Armistice and Treaty of Versailles. Along the way, they will investigate historical sources, explore the experiences of soldiers and civilians and develop their understanding of chronology, cause and consequence, change and historical significance.

What will children learn?

Children begin by investigating why WW1 started, exploring the alliances that existed between European countries in 1914 and considering how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand helped turn tensions in Europe into a world war.

They will then investigate life in the trenches during WW1, focusing on the Western Front and the difficult conditions experienced by soldiers. Children explore trench warfare and consider the significance of the Battle of the Somme before moving on to investigate how new weapons and technologies, including machine guns, tanks, aeroplanes and artillery, changed the way the war was fought.

The scheme also explores the important roles played by animals during WW1 before turning to life on the British home front. Children discover how women and children supported the war effort and investigate WW1 propaganda, considering why posters and other forms of communication were used to influence people's attitudes and behaviour.

Finally, children investigate how World War 1 ended, including the Armistice of 1918, the Treaty of Versailles and the changes that took place across Europe after the war. They then consolidate their learning and consider the significance of key events using their knowledge of the WW1 timeline.

Throughout these WW1 KS2 lessons, children develop important historical enquiry skills as they make connections between events, investigate cause and consequence, use historical sources and justify their ideas using evidence.

What's included?

This complete World War 1 KS2 scheme of work includes everything you need to teach the topic:

  • seven detailed lesson plans
  • engaging teaching slides for each lesson
  • differentiated worksheets and activities
  • WW1 timeline activities and resources
  • historical photographs, maps, posters and other source material
  • a World War 1 Knowledge Organiser
  • a History Assessment Grid to support assessment
  • an End of Unit Quiz

With lesson plans, slides and supporting resources ready to download and teach, this complete set of WW1 KS2 planning makes it easy to explore World War 1 with your class while developing children's historical knowledge and enquiry skills.

Lesson sequence

Scheme at a glance

See how learning progresses across the scheme.

Lesson 1: The Beginning

Lesson 1: The Beginning

Investigate the alliances and tensions in Europe in 1914 and discover how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand helped trigger the start of World War 1.

Lesson 2: Trench Warfare Life on the Front Line

Lesson 2: Trench Warfare Life on the Front Line

Explore life in the trenches on the Western Front, investigating trench warfare, the conditions soldiers faced and the significance of the Battle of the Somme.

Lesson 3: WW1 Inventions

Lesson 3: WW1 Inventions

Investigate the new weapons and technologies introduced during WW1 and consider how developments such as tanks and aircraft changed the way the war was fought.

Lesson 4: Animals in WW1

Lesson 4: Animals in WW1

Discover the important roles played by horses and other animals during World War 1 and consider the advantages and disadvantages of using animals in warfare.

Lesson 5: On the Home Front

Lesson 5: On the Home Front

Explore life in Britain during WW1, including how women and children supported the war effort and how propaganda was used to influence people's attitudes and behaviour.

Lesson 6: How did WW1 End?

Lesson 6: How did WW1 End?

Investigate how World War 1 came to an end, exploring the 1918 Armistice, the Treaty of Versailles and the changes that followed across Europe.

Lesson 7: Consolidation of Understanding

Lesson 7: Consolidation of Understanding

Consolidate knowledge of WW1 by exploring the significance of key events and organising learning to demonstrate an understanding of the war and its chronology.

Knowledge Organiser

Knowledge Organiser

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Preview the Complete Scheme

See every lesson objective, lesson overview, assessment question and included resources before you buy.

 Download the Overview

Part of our wider curriculum

Browse where this resource fits in the curriculum.

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WW1 KS2 FAQs

What age group is this WW1 scheme suitable for?

This WW1 KS2 scheme is designed for children in Years 5 and 6. The seven lessons explore key events and themes from World War 1 while developing upper KS2 historical knowledge and enquiry skills.

What will children learn about World War 1?

Children learn about the causes of World War 1, life on the Western Front, trench warfare, developments in weapons and technology, animals in the war, the British home front and propaganda. They also investigate how WW1 ended and the changes that followed.

Does the scheme explain how and why WW1 started?

Yes. Children explore the alliances and tensions that existed in Europe in 1914, including the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance, before investigating the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and its significance in the start of WW1.

Does the scheme cover life in the trenches during WW1?

Yes. Children investigate life in the trenches during WW1, including the conditions soldiers experienced on the Western Front, trench warfare and the significance of the Battle of the Somme.

What WW1 weapons and technology do children learn about?

Children investigate technological developments during World War 1 and consider how new technology changed warfare. The scheme explores developments including machine guns, tanks, aeroplanes and artillery.

Does the scheme cover the WW1 home front and propaganda?

Yes. Children explore what life was like in Britain during WW1 and how women and children contributed to the war effort. They also investigate WW1 propaganda and consider why it was used to influence people's attitudes and behaviour.

Does the scheme include a WW1 timeline?

Yes. Children develop their chronological understanding throughout the scheme and consolidate their knowledge by considering the significance of key events on a WW1 timeline, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 to the Armistice and Treaty of Versailles.

How does the scheme cover the end of World War 1?

Children investigate events surrounding the end of WW1, including the Armistice in November 1918 and the Treaty of Versailles. They also explore some of the changes that took place across Europe after the war.

What historical skills will children develop?

Children develop a range of KS2 History skills, including chronological understanding, cause and consequence, making connections between events, using historical sources and evaluating significance. They are also encouraged to justify their ideas using historical evidence.

What is included in the complete WW1 KS2 scheme?

The complete seven-lesson World War 1 KS2 scheme includes detailed lesson plans, teaching slides, differentiated worksheets and activities to support adaptive teaching, historical source material, timeline resources, a World War 1 Knowledge Organiser, History Assessment Grid and End of Unit Quiz.