World War I Facts & Soldier’s Poetry of the Great War
Kim Guthriegabs M. Ed
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Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(417)
This ongoing history class combines World War I facts with poetry writing in each class. Beginning with a mini-lesson on WWI events and a specific poetry style. Each week learners craft a new poem.
Class experience
US Grade 7 - 10
No prior knowledge of World War I or poetry is necessary for a student to be successful in class. Using a slide presentation (primary sources, maps, video clips, photos) each class begins with a history lesson on WWI: technology, trench warfare, battles, the homefront, Wilson's 14 Points, or the armistice. Each class is unique and learners may start or stop at any time. After the history section, we next have a short lesson on writing a predetermined poetry style (poem templates and...
NCSS.D2.His.1.9-12. Evaluate how historical events and developments were shaped by unique circumstances of time and place as well as broader historical contexts. NCSS.D2.His.2.9-12. Analyze change and continuity in historical eras. NCSS.D2.His.3.9-12. Use questions generated about individuals and groups to assess how the significance of their actions changes over time and is shaped by the historical context. NCSS.D2.His.12.9-12. Use questions generated about multiple historical sources to pursue further inquiry and investigate additional sources. NCSS.D2.His.14.9-12. Analyze multiple and complex causes and effects of events in the past. NCSS.D2.His.15.9-12. Distinguish between long-term causes and triggering events in developing a historical argument. NCSS.D2.His.16.9-12. Integrate evidence from multiple relevant historical sources and interpretations into a reasoned argument about the past. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3. Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.5. Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.6. Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text. Students will learn about the technology and major events of The Great War (World War I). Students will write a poem in each class in response to what the lesson was for that day. Students will include details about the history lesson of the day in their poems. Students will learn about Poetic Devices such as metaphor/simile, symbolism, imagery, rhyme, meter/pacing, tone, alliteration, consonance, and annosance.
I have taught middle school world history and writing for over 15 years. I was the lead history teacher at my school and I have been named Writing Teacher of the Year for my school two times. I believe the best way to learn about history is by learning about it from the individual stories that can be told. I have also had the opportunity to walk in the trenches of Pacchenade, Ypres, the Somme valley, and Belleau Woods. I have been to Flanders Field and the Pool of Peace in Belgium. I have seen the damage of war that remains over 100 years later. My husband's grandfather fought in WWI and I have his stories to pass along.
Homework Offered
Students are encouraged to complete and edit their poems that they began in the classroom before posting to the classroom for teacher comments.0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Informal assessment during class. Teacher assessment of the completed poem.Grades Offered
Notebook or paper and pen for each class. A small notebook to record the notes about history on one page and writing the poem on the facing page is the best method for success. A thesaurus is recommended for use when writing. *Computer thesaurus' are good to use if it can be used during the class time.
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
This is both a writing and a history class. Students will learn about key events and technology of World War I. World War I cannot be discussed without talking about the realities of the war: the trenches, death, gassing, injuries, and longing for home. All references to the war are discussed from the human point of view, seen from the soldier's point of view...sometimes their point of view was of glory, and other times their point of view was one of despair. Learners may post their poems on the classroom page, Google Jamboard, or in a Google doc for assessment. These third-party sites are used only by the learners in each week's class. Links are provided during the live lesson. I teach using Canva to show slides and videos during the lesson. I will post poem templates on the classroom page as a file before each week's lesson.
Imperial war museum, archives.uk national archives Flanders Field Museum
Star Educator
Popular
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(417)
I believe that students need to see the personal side of the world. When students begin to see a unique story in a history or science lesson, they become engaged and learn. Learners need to see the relevance of what they learn. Then, they...
Group Class
$18
weekly1x per week
60 min
Completed by 13 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-16
2-5 learners per class
