World War I - Trench Warfare Primary Source Stations Activity (PDF and Digital)

This NO PREP stations activity presents a variety of trench warfare topics with intriguing primary source accounts and visually appealing photosets. The resource is available in PDF and Google Docs formats! Increase student growth and engagement using fun and effective methods!

Each station contains a brief introduction and enthralling primary source accounts of trench warfare. After completing this lesson, students will understand how and why trench warfare was fought, and the horrific conditions soldiers faced while fighting in the trenches. The lesson is easily adaptable to fit your teaching style. Students will examine each of the following topics:

1. Trench Warfare - An Overview

2. Trench Design

3. No Man's Land

4. Trench Foot

5. Trench Rats and Lice

6. Shell Shock

The following methods have proven to be the most successful in my classroom:

1. Go Virtual! Included directions for teachers make implementing the digital activity a breeze.

- Students individually examine all station passages and complete the corresponding Google Docs worksheet (with pre-inserted text answer boxes for increased ease of use) and submit through Google Classroom. You can also assign the worksheet to a group of students and allow them to work together virtually to complete the assignment.

2. Hang the information sheets around the class and have students rotate to each sheet.

- This is my favorite because it gets students up and moving. You can assign the worksheet that accompanies this activity, or simply have them summarize each topic as they rotate.

3. Split the students into groups and assign one sheet per group. Have the students read the information sheet and prepare to present the information to the rest of the class.

- I assign a number to each group member (number the first group, then start back at 1 for the next group, so that you have multiple 1’s, 2’s, etc. throughout the class) and after students have had adequate time to prepare I tell them all the 2’s are presenting. This method motivates students because they don’t know which group member is presenting until it is time to present.

4. Form groups of 6 and have the students pass around the information sheets.

- I’ve found the best approach for this method is to give students a set amount of time and then have all students pass their sheets to the right when told.

The versatility of this activity allows for several culminating assessments. Typically, once students have completed one of the methods above, I have them write a defense of whether they believe trench warfare was an effective strategy of war. Then, we have a class debate in which students must defend their opinion. Another option is to have students write a journal entry from the point of view of a soldier during World War I. I encourage them to include as much information from the stations as possible.

I hope you and your students enjoy this activity. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

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