Recruiting, recruits & equipment

Lesson Plan

1. Starter - War plans and the Schlieffen Plan - Duration 10-15 mins

Episode	Learning Objectives	Resources
Explain that nearly 4.5 million men signed up to fight for their country during the First World War. Recap on the Schlieffen plan and why its failure led to trench warfare. Explain that the nature of trench warfare meant that a huge number of troops were needed to maintain the war effort and this led to the production of recruitment materials.	Understand what the Schlieffen Plan was and its significance to Britain's involvement in the First World War. Understand the failings of the Plan. Learn what is meant by conscription.	Slides

Teacher Notes: 1. Starter - War plans and the Schlieffen Plan

2. Recruitment - Duration 20-25 mins

Episode	Learning Objectives	Resources
Students look at various recruitment materials from the First World War and analyse them using the five W's. Students to pay particular attention to how the tone and content of the materials changed between 1914 and 1916. Follow students' initial note taking with a class discussion.	Understand the role of posters as a recruitment tool. Consider the different techniques used to encourage recruitment and how these would encourage different groups of people. Analyse sources of information using the five W's.	Student Worksheets 1a-1k

Teacher Notes: 2. Recruitment

3. Equipment - Duration 15-20 mins

Episode	Learning Objectives	Resources
Students look at the kit issued to soldiers during the First World War and take part in a group discussion to identify any problems which they think might arise from the kit (in particular the volume of kit issued). Ask students to identify which pieces of kit they think would be particularly useful and ask what they would choose to supplement it with.	Recognise some of the problems associated to the kit with which soldiers were issued. Understand the purpose of the kit items and its relevance to life in the trenches.	Student Worksheet 2a-b Slides

Teacher Notes: 3. Equipment

4. Plenary - Snowball - Duration 5-10 mins

Episode	Learning Objectives	Resources
Select one student to carry six school bags up and down the room to encourage students to empathise with soldiers carrying heavy kit. Students to complete a snowballing exercise by taking it in turns to note down recruitment techniques and pieces of kit issued to soldiers. Note responses on the board.	Empathise with soldiers fighting in the First World War. Recap on key learning.	2 x sheets of A4 paper

Teacher Notes: 4. Plenary - Snowball

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