Understanding 1916
Imperial War Museum resources
On this page
Using images, archive footage, interviews and personal accounts, Imperial War Museum has produced a number of learning resources (complete with resources and downloadable ‘Suggested Activities’) and podcasts to help pupils have a unique learning experience centered on topics and themes of the First World War (as well as other global conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth).
First World War Learning Resources, specifically:
- Recruitment and Conscription;
- Living in the Trenches;
- The Western Front; and
- Fighting in the Trenches.
Voices of the First World War, specifically:
- Podcast 23: The First Day of the Somme; and
- Podcast 24: Tanks on the Somme.
Resource Intentions
- Review the learning resources about the Battle of the Somme and utilise the digital resources and ‘Suggested Activities’ PDF to reinforce understanding of the topic; and
- Discover personal perspectives from those who served on the front line during the Battle of the Somme.
Areas of Learning
Environment and Society
History
Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals
Investigate individuals who are considered to have taken a significant moral stand and examine their motivation and legacy.
(Moral Character)
Explore issues related to Personal Health.
(Personal Health)
Objective 2: Developing pupils as Contributors to Society
Investigate the impact of significant events/ideas of the 20th century on the world.
(Cultural Understanding)
Language and Literacy
English with Media Education
Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals
Engage, through language, with their peers and with fictional and real-life characters and situations, to explore their own emotions and develop creative potential.
(Personal Understanding)
Explore and respond to others’ emotions as encountered in literature, the media, moving image and peer discussion.
(Mutual Understanding)
Explore the use of language and imagery in conveying and evoking a variety of powerful feelings.
(Spiritual Awareness)
Objective 2: Developing pupils as Contributors to Society
Explore the power of a range of communication techniques to inform, entertain, influence and persuade.
(Media Awareness)
Irish with Media Education
Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals
Engage, through language, with their peers and with fictional and real-life characters and situations, to explore their own emotions and develop creative potential.
(Personal Understanding)
Explore and respond to others’ emotions as encountered in literature, the media, moving image and peer discussion.
(Mutual Understanding)
Explore the use of language and imagery in conveying and evoking a variety of powerful feelings.
(Spiritual Awareness)
Objective 2: Developing pupils as Contributors to Society
Explore the power of a range of communication techniques to inform, entertain, influence and persuade.
(Media Awareness)
Cross Curricular Learning
Using ICT
Imperial War Museums Learning Resources and Voices of the First World War utilizes a number of digital resources which provide pupils the opportunity to engage with the material to improve their understanding and experience as well as promoting creative thinking and discussion.
The resources could inspire tasks that would support experiences in Desktop Publishing, Presentation, Researching, Working with Moving Images and Working with Images
Communication
The resource provides pupils with the opportunity to develop their talking, reading and writing skills through independent learning and shared experience
Opportunities to develop Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities
Using the content pupils can analyse patterns and relationships in the information with which they have been provided. They also have the opportunity to investigate and discuss the historical perspectives of meaning, ideas and attitudes relevant to the period.
As they learn about the issues and ideas of the time, students are encouraged to understand and manage not only the information available to them but also their emotions and reactions.
Providing students with the means to research new information and ideas allows them scope to take the initiative and make choices as they steer their own course through the learning.
Possible Task?
Create a silent film documenting fighting conditions in the trenches on the frontline
In the style of the silent film examples within the learning resources, create a movie using the downloadable images (and where possible, video footage) intercut with captions detailing the conditions that soldiers lived and fought in on the front line. Also, research information on one Ulster or Irish regiment that fought during the Somme and include this information. Complete this task using video editing software.
Areas of Learning
- The Arts (Art & Design)
- Language and Literacy (English/Irish with Media Education)
- Environment and Society (History)
