Lesson Plan
WWI Letter Project
Objectives:
Students will use research skills to obtain primary and secondary sources
about life on the front lines and home front during WWI. They will
then analyze the primary sources and use the secondary sources to prepare
letters summarizing this information.
Michigan
Curriculum Standards:
Standard I.3 Analyzing and Interpreting the Past
All students will reconstruct the past by comparing interpretations
written by others from a variety of perspectives and creating narratives
from evidence.
Standard SOC.II.1 Diversity of People, Places, and Cultures
All students will describe, compare, and explain the locations and
characteristics of places, cultures, and settlements.
Benchmark SOC.V.1.HS.1 Locate information pertaining to a specific
social science topic in-depth using a variety of sources and electronic
technologies.
ISTE NETS
Student Standards:
7. Routinely and efficiently use online information resources
to meet needs for collaboration, research, publications, communications,
and productivity.
5. Use technology tools and resources for managing and communicating
personal/professional information (e.g., finances, schedules, addresses,
purchases, correspondence). (3, 4)
Procedures:
1. Students will work as individuals for 2 days in the
lab to complete this project.
2. Students will find 2 primary sources using the given web sites.
1 must be a photograph of life on the front lines and one may be a photograph
or propaganda poster of the efforts to assist the war effort on the home
front.
3. Students will use photograph/poster analysis sheets from the
National Archives.
4. Students will do further research about life at the front
and home front.
5. Students will write 2 letters, 1 letter pretending to be a
soldier or someone else living at the front writing to a loved one at home.
The letter should tell about life at the front. The second letter
will be a reply from the loved one to the soldier. This letter will
explain how life has changed at home and how civilians are assisting in
the war effort.
6. Refer to the student handout for further information.
