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Our homeschool will resume in just a few days. And when we return to more formal studies, we’ll be taking a deep dive into WWI.
It’s easy to gloss over WWI and dive straight into the more modern history of WWII and everything that comes after. But the stage for all of that is set in the Industrial Revolution and that strange amalgam of swords and horses meeting mustard gas and airplanes that was the Great War.
I find that my boys love WWI. My girls, not so much. As such, I take a very wholistic approach to the time period and events, as you’ll see below. Yes, we talk about causes and battles and leaders. But we also drink in plenty of biographies, the changing culture, and even the poetry.
Our study will take approximately 3 weeks, pulling from the resources listed below as well as about a million and a half library books in heavy rotation. (See the Amazon Idea List linked at the bottom for our top choices.) Will we get to everything? Not possible. But by the time we’re done, I expect we’ll have laid a fine groundwork upon which a deeper understanding of the war, its causes, and its consequences can be laid.
Videos
Video primer on which countries fought in WWI.
You must, of course, include the Horrible Histories song “World War I Cousins” in your week.
Extra History has a great video on the WWI Christmas Truce.
This 8-minute excerpt from a BBC documentary on WWI focuses on Kaiser Wilhelm II, and uses actual footage.
The Great War channel has a video on Georges Clemenceau, also known as Father Victory.
A brief video biography of Woodrow Wilson.
Music
The Smithsonian has a page dedicated to an extensive collecting of WWI-era sheet music.
Add some period music to your study! This site has songs and lyrics for popular American tunes.
British newspaper The Guardian has a top ten of popular music from the country during the time of WWI.
What was the effect of WWI on classical music? Probably much deeper than you expect.
Informational Websites
The BBC has pages with extensive details on Britain’s role in WWI, Russia and the war and the ensuing revolution,
For older students, this PBS site on The Great War is excellent.
Encyclopedia Britannica’s page on WWI leaders is a great starting place and includes some portraits as well.
FirstWorldWar.com is a visual exploration of the entirety of WWI, from causes, to players, to events.
Britain’s Imperial War Museum offers a page on leadership, with a focus, obviously, on the UK.
Ducksters has a general landing page on WWI that highlights several leaders.
The World at War has a very simple page with quick facts about each leader. Hit this to refresh your own memory, if needed, or to share with younger kids who might not want as much depth.
Maps and Timelines
This outline map of Europe in 1914 can be printed and compared to the current map in your Foundations Guide.
A timeline of WWI in France.
A very simple, two-color map showing who sided with whom in Europe.
This Great War website features not only a fabulous timeline, but maps and more. Highly recommended.
An interactive timeline of the entirety of WWI. Very visual and great for all ages.
This US WWI Centennial site offers a variety of specific timelines, including battles.
Primary Sources and Audio
Interested in viewing primary source documents with your kids? This site is for you!
The Library of Congress has many recordings from the era of WWI. It’s well worth your time to pull up a snippet and let your children hear history as it happened.
This YouTube video is a rare recording of the voice of Tsar Nicolas II, and this one is a brief glimpse of him with General Joffre.
You can find YouTube footage of actual WWI battles. I am not linking any here because of their sensitive nature.
Art & Poetry
Sow the Seeds of Victory! was a program of the American Food Administration during WWI. These propaganda posters ignite fascinating conversations with students about the realities of war on the homefront.
The National WWI Museum has an online exhibition of art from the time period.
Business Insider published a piece on WWI-era art, complete with examples.
The LA Times wrote a piece on how art was changed by WWI. For parents background knowledge, but definitely worth a read.
American artists sent to the front lines by the War Department produced some amazing sketches that deserve to be seen. A fascinating look at the roles different talents played in the effort, as well!
In Flanders Field is the quintessential WWI poem. This site provides a guided lesson plan if you need help discussing it.
The Poetry Foundation has a page of WWI poetry. Some are by unknowns, many are by famous poets.
Lesson Plans and Lapbooks
Homeschool in the Woods has a printable WWI lap book for under $5.
HomeschoolLessonPlans.com has a detailed plan available for studying WWI. It’s easy to cherry pick the plans for your own family, especially since she uses the acronym MAIN to give kids an understanding of the causes behind the war. My own high school teacher did that years ago, and it stuck with me!
Knowledge Box has a WWI lapbook for $5 as well.
Scholastic has several lesson plans on WWI.
National History Day has a page of WWI-themed lesson plans that offer unique perspectives.
Famous People and More
Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated U.S. soldiers of WWI. (Gary Cooper movie)
Cher Ami was a carrier pigeon who saved the day. There are many picture books about this bird, and kids love the story. The National Museum of History has Cher Ami, stuffed, on display.
Sgt. Stubby was the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment. (2018 cartoon)
Henry Johnson was an American soldier who was part of the first African-American unit to see action in WWI. He singlehandedly overwhelmed a German assault… while wounded!
Every child in America knew of Eddie Rickenbacker, the WWI Ace of Aces.
Baron Manfred von Richtofen was dubbed The Red Baron, and was infamous for his piloting abilities.
Edouard Izac was captured by Germans, and swam the Rhine to escape.
Books
Archie’s War, Marcia Williams
A Brave Soldier, Nicolas Debon
World War I for Kids: A History With 21 Activities, R. Kent Rasmussen
Hillary Ann Robinson’s Poppy Series
Christmas Truce: A True Story of World War I, Aaron Shepherd
National Geographic Kids Everything World War I: Dig in With Thrilling Photos and Fascinating Facts, Karen L. Kenney
Christmas in the Trenches, John McCutcheon
DK World War I: The Definitive Visual History
War Game: Village Green to No-Man’s Land, Michael Foreman
Eddie Rickenbacker: Boy Pilot and Racer, Kathryn Cleven Sisson
Great Battles for Boys: Bunker Hill to WWI, Joe Giorello
**I have an Idea List on Amazon with more of our favorite titles.
