World War I | Standard Lesson
Students will learn that World War I was a long-ago war involving many countries. In a simple, age-appropriate way, students will explore that leaders make choices for their countries, people work together during hard times, and history helps us learn about peace and cooperation.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| war | When countries fight against each other. |
| country | A place where people live with their own leaders and rules. |
| leader | A person who helps make important choices for a group or country. |
| peace | A time when people are not fighting and work together. |
| help | To do something kind or useful for someone else. |
Show a picture of a mayor, president, or school principal. Ask, 'What does a leader do?' Explain that countries also have leaders who make choices.
Students share ideas about leaders they know and listen to the explanation.
Show a world map and explain that World War I was a war a long time ago that involved many countries. Keep language simple and brief.
Students look at the map and point to countries if invited.
Read a short, age-appropriate teacher-created story or explain in simple terms that during World War I, people in different countries were affected by the war. Pause to ask, 'How do people feel when there is fighting?' and 'How can people help each other?'
Students answer simple questions and connect the story to helping and peace.
Display picture cards showing helping, peace, flags, soldiers, and community support. Guide students to sort cards into 'helping/peace' and 'war/fighting' groups.
Students help sort the pictures and say why a picture belongs in a group.
Ask students to draw one picture that shows peace or helping others. Write one student sentence on the board, such as 'We can help people.'
Students draw and add a simple label or sentence with support.
Invite a few students to share their drawings. Review the vocabulary words and the main idea that history teaches us to work for peace.
Students present their work and repeat key vocabulary.
End by asking, 'What is one way we can choose peace?' Remind students that World War I was a long-ago war, and that people and leaders can work to help others and keep peace.
Draw a picture of someone helping at home, at school, or in the community. Tell a family member one new word you learned today.