Lesson Plan | Active Learning | World War I

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is crucial to establishing a solid foundation for understanding the First World War. By clearly defining what is expected of students to learn, this section helps guide subsequent activities more effectively. The proposed objectives ensure that students not only memorize facts but also develop a critical understanding of the events that shaped the modern world, facilitating deeper and more engaged learning.

Main Objectives:

1. Identify and analyze the main antecedents of the First World War, including geopolitical tensions and alliances.

2. Examine the key battles, agreements, and technology developed during the First World War.

3. Discuss the impact of the war on the societies of the countries involved, noting social, economic, and political changes.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction stage is designed to engage students and reconnect prior knowledge with individual study, using problem situations that stimulate critical thinking and contextualization that links the past to the present. This approach not only sparks interest but also prepares students for a deeper and more relevant understanding of the topics to be discussed during the class.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are a European leader at the beginning of the 20th century. What would be your priorities for maintaining peace in a continent full of geopolitical tensions and fragile alliances?

2. You are part of a group of historians who need to argue about the impact of technological innovations in the First World War. How would you defend that technology changed the way of fighting compared to previous conflicts?

Contextualization

The First World War, often referred to as 'The Great War', redefined the political and social boundaries of the world. During this conflict, the use of tanks and poisonous gas was introduced on the battlefield, completely changing military strategies. Additionally, the war had a profound effect on civil society, influencing everything from fashion to social movements.

Development

Duration: (70 - 80 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to apply and deepen their knowledge of the First World War through practical and interactive activities. Selecting one of the proposed activities, students will work in groups to solve complex problems and perform tasks that reflect real historical challenges, thereby promoting a deeper understanding of the studied events and developing important skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and negotiation ability.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Diplomacy in Crisis: The Treaty Game

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop negotiation skills and understanding of the complexities of pre-war alliances.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups representing different nations involved in the First World War. Each group will receive a set of information and specific objectives that reflect the historical and political interests of their nation. The aim will be to negotiate treaties with other groups to avoid armed conflict while still protecting their own national interests.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students, each representing one of the main powers involved in the war.

• Distribute information sheets that include historical data and secret objectives for each nation.

• Allow groups time to formulate their strategies.

• Start a round of negotiations where groups will try to form alliances and treaties.

• Conclude the activity with a plenary session to discuss the treaties formed and compare them with historical ones.

Activity 2 - War Archaeologists

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Promote understanding of the conditions and battle strategies during the First World War.

- Description: Students, organized in groups, will take on the role of archaeologists investigating a battlefield from the First World War. Using maps, old photographs, and lists of artifacts (fictional and based on real items), they must assemble a 'battle map' that explains the events that occurred at that location.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups and provide each group with replicas of maps, photos, and lists of artifacts from the time.

• Explain how to interpret the items and the historical significance of each.

• Challenge them to create a detailed map of the battlefield, positioning the artifacts in a way that narrates the story of what happened there.

• Have each group present their findings and the story they constructed to the class.

• Discuss the various interpretations and what they reveal about the nature of war.

Activity 3 - Secret Code: The Art of Cryptography in War

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Explore the role of cryptography in war and develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

- Description: In this activity, students will learn about the importance of cryptography and the interception of communications during the First World War. They will be divided into groups and receive coded messages that they will need to decipher using the cryptographic techniques of the time.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute encrypted messages that were supposedly 'intercepted' by enemies.

• Teach students some basic cryptography techniques used during the First World War.

• Challenge them to decrypt the messages in the shortest time possible.

• Conduct a discussion on how cryptography affected the course of the war and what could have happened if certain messages had not been decrypted in time.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan is essential to consolidate learning, allowing students to reflect on the knowledge acquired and relate it to broader historical and contemporary concepts. The group discussion helps develop communication and argumentation skills, while the key questions encourage critical analysis and assessment of students’ understanding of the complex themes addressed in the First World War.

Group Discussion

Start the group discussion with a recap of the activities carried out, emphasizing the importance of practical application of historical knowledge. Ask students how the experience may have altered or expanded their understanding of the First World War. Encourage them to share interesting or surprising insights that arose during the activities, as well as any challenges they faced.

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest difficulties encountered when trying to negotiate treaties or decode coded messages?

2. How could the technologies and strategies discussed in the activities have differently impacted the outcomes of the First World War?

3. In what way does understanding political alliances and wartime events alter your view of current conflicts?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Conclusion stage is vital to solidify the knowledge acquired during the lesson, allowing students to clearly see the transition from theoretical learning to practice. This moment offers an opportunity for students to connect historical concepts with their real-world applications, highlighting the enduring relevance of the studied events. By summarizing and relating the content, this section helps to conclude the learning journey in a reflective and meaningful way.

Summary

In conclusion, we recall the main antecedents and events of the First World War, exploring everything from alliances and geopolitical tensions to technological development and its impact on the involved societies. The dynamic activities allowed for practical application of this knowledge, helping students understand the complexity of historical events and their lasting consequences.

Theory Connection

This lesson not only presented the theory behind the events of the First World War but also integrated it with interactive practices that symbolize real diplomatic strategies and conflicts. By participating in treaty negotiations, decoding encrypted messages, and reconstructing battlefields, students experienced the direct application of historical theory in practice.

Closing

Understanding this global conflict is crucial, not only for comprehending world history but also for recognizing how political decisions and technological innovations shape our society today. The First World War permanently altered the geopolitical landscape and brought lessons that are still relevant to contemporary challenges, such as the importance of diplomacy and the impact of technology in conflicts.