| aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type | Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson |
| Which subject | Reading |
| What age group | Year or Grade 6 |
| What topic | WW2 |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Any other preferences |
To spark interest in World War II and develop reading comprehension skills by exploring primary sources and personal stories.
1. Create the Atmosphere (5 Minutes)
As students enter the classroom, dim the lights slightly and play a soft background playlist of music from the 1940s. This could include songs from the era to help set the mood. Display images of significant World War II events on the screen to capture their attention immediately.
2. Introduce the Concept: The Time Capsule (5 Minutes)
Inform the students that they’ve stumbled upon a series of time capsules from the World War II era. These capsules contain letters and diary entries from people who lived through the war—a soldier writing home, a child living in London during the Blitz, or a nurse in a field hospital.
3. Unpack the Time Capsules (15 Minutes)
Give each student an envelope containing a printed excerpt of a letter or diary entry. As they read, they should think about the following questions:
4. Class Discussion (10 Minutes)
After reading, bring the class together for a discussion. Encourage students to share their experiences and insights from their letters. Guide them with questions like:
After the discussion, explain that they will be diving deeper into the topics of World War II through reading various texts, including historical accounts, novels, and personal stories related to the war. This introductory activity not only piques their interest but aids in building the foundation for their reading comprehension skills in subsequent lessons.
This creative beginning to a reading lesson on World War II sets an immersive tone that appeals to students' curiosity and emotional connection to the past, while simultaneously preparing them for the critical reading and analysis skills they will develop throughout the unit.