World War I
In this unit you will learn about The Great War from the perspective of America. You will read books, learn stories, listen to music and paint a field of poppies as you learn about the sacrifices Americans made.
This unit is written to cover 20 school days. You will need the required workbook and books below. In addition, you will also need to pick a historical fiction and biography to read while you study about World War I. We have a list to choose from, but you can always read a family favorite.
This curriculum is written with students 4th-8th grade in mind. You can always scale down to fit your needs, but we don't recommend trying to use it for high school age students.
Free!
Required Materials
Workbook
This workbook is written to the student. It will guide them through the daily reading and activities with minimal parent involvement.
Answer Key
The answer key is not necessary to complete the unit. It is identical to the Student Workbook, but with answers in red.
This complete encyclopedia of American history showcases the incredible journey the United States of America has made to become the major 21st-century power it is today.
Every American History unit uses this encyclopedia.
An accessible and thought-provoking introduction to the First World War and the Second World War, stunningly illustrated with dramatic contemporary photographs, paintings, posters and maps. This beautifully presented hardback book tells the story of both conflicts, from the trenches of the First World War to the battles and Blitz of World War Two.
This book will also be used in the WWII unit.
Desperate to protect ships from German torpedo attacks, British lieutenant-commander Norman Wilkinson proposed what became known as dazzle. These stunning patterns and colors were meant to confuse the enemy about a ship's speed and direction. By the end of the war, more than four thousand ships had been painted with these mesmerizing designs.
"In October 1918, World War I had been raging in Europe for more than four years. When Major Charles Whittlesey led the U.S. 77th Division into France's Argonne Forest, his troops were soon surrounded and cut off from escape by German forces. The troops' only hope was to send a carrier pigeon named Cher Ami with a desperate message to stop the attack. Read all about the brave little pigeon that carried out a dangerous mission to deliver a desperate message across a deadly battlefield"
Students will be creating a biography poster. These premade templates are an excellent tool.
Every American History Unit will have a biography poster project.
Other supplies
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Red, Green and Black Acrylic Paint
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Fat and thin paintbrushes (set with paints and brushes)
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Paper for painting on
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Historical Fiction from the list below
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Non-Fiction books from the list below
Optional Books and Videos
Historical Fiction Options
You will read one historical fiction book for this unit. There are several great historical fiction books to choose from. Listed below are a few at different reading levels.
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Above the trenches -Nathan Hale
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Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood -Nathan Hale
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Five Children on the Western Front -Kate Saunders
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War Horse -Michael Morpurgo
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Private Peaceful –Michael Morpurgo
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Brother’s Far From Home: The World War I diary of Eliza Bates (Dear Canada Series)
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Stay Where You Are and Then Leave -John Boyne
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All of a Kind Family Uptown (#3 in series)-Sydney Taylor
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War girls: A Collection of First World War Stories Through the Eyes of Young Women -Adele Geras and others
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Searching for Silverheels -Jeannie Mobley
Non-Fiction Options
There are many great nonfiction books and biographies about this time period. You will need to pick one to read.
The Harem Hellfighters -Max Brooks
The Red Baron: The graphic history of Richthofen’s Flying Circus and the Air War in WWI -Wyane Vansant
Hold the Ox!: A Teenage Soldier Writes Home -Marion Fargey Brooker
If the above non-fiction books don't interest you, you can choose to read a biography about one of the people below. Make sure you pick a biography that matches your family values.
Red Baron
Kaiser Wilhelm
John Pershing
Mata Hari – spy
Ezra Pound
Woodrow Wilson
Edith Cavell
Alvin York
Thomas Edward Lawrence -Lawrence of Arabia
Frank Luke
Charles Whittlesey
Edouard Izac
Dan Daly