Name: __________________________________ Block: ________ Date: ____________ Number:
__________
The Great War: Battles
Introduction: WWI remains one of the bloodiest and most destructive wars in modern history. Its global
impact on humanity was devastating. The Allied and Central Powers -- Germany, France, and Britain – locked
in a deadly stalemate that did not make any great gains for either side, despite their efforts to advance their
positions. Each country suffered and inflicted extraordinary casualties on one another. You will be responsible
for researching one of WWI’s most destructive battles in this activity.
Learning Objectives: As a result of completing these activities, students will be able to:
•
•
•
•
Examine the sources and research one of the WWI Battles
Track the battles’ progression to determine advances made by either the Allies or Central Powers
Describe three of WWI’s most destructive battles and the consequences the violence had on the World.
Create a quiz using knowledge from their research on the three battles
Task:
1. You will be divided into General Groups of three; each person in the group is responsible for
researching one of the three following WWI Battles:
 The Battle of the Somme, The Battle of Verdun, and The Battle of Ypres.
2. Online resources are provided for each battle. Individually you will conduct research to find key
aspects to note about your battle such as:







When and where the battle took place
What led to the battle?
Conditions of the battle? Example: weather/type of battle
Who was involved? (Countries and key people)
Types of weapons used during the battle
The end result
o Who won?
o Causalities?
o Effect on the War in general
Other interesting information (at least 3 facts)
3. After your research is complete, you will meet with your Specialized Group – other students who
specialized in the same battle as you –in order to collaborate and prepare to present the information to
your General Group.
4. When done you will return to your General Group and share/process with the other members about
the Great War Battle that you are now an expert on! (Remember they know nothing about this battle!
Start from the beginning, give clear information and details.)
5. Finally, in your Specialized Group create a 10 question quiz on all three Battles. Quiz should be nine
multiple choice questions (3 questions about each battle) and one short answer question (this
question should connect all three battles – look for trends, themes or commonalities) This should be a
higher level question.
1. The Battle of the Somme
Directions: Use the following sites to help with your research.
PBS
• The Battle of Somme
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/maps/maps_somme.html
• John Keegan: The Battle of Somme
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_keegan_04_shells.html
• July 1, 1916: The Somme
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_simkins_06_somme.html
• Map - Battle of the Somme, Overview of Battle, Jul-Nov, 1916
http://www.firstworldwar.com/maps/graphics/maps_34_wfront_somme_(1600).jpg
Online Resources
• The First World War: Battles - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWbattles.htm
• First World War.com: Battles - http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/
• Battles of World War I - http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battles_of_world_war_one.htm
Research
Where the battle took
place? When?
What led to the battle?
Conditions of the
battle? Example:
weather/type of battle
Who was involved?
(Countries and key
people)
Types of weapons
used during the battle
The end result



Who won?
Causalities?
Effect on the
War in general
2. The Battle of Verdun
Directions: Use the following sites to help with your research.
PBS
• Battle of Verdun
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/maps/maps_verdun.html
• Verdun—The Battle of France
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_audoin_03_verdun.html
• Battle of Verdun: The Crucible
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_winter_15_verdun.html
• Map - Battle of Verdun, Overview of Battle, Feb-Dec 1916
http://www.firstworldwar.com/maps/graphics/maps_33_wfront_verdun_(1600).jpg
Online Resources
• The First World War: Battles - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWbattles.htm
• First World War.com: Battles - http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/
• Battles of World War I - http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battles_of_world_war_one.htm
Research
Where the battle took
place? When?
What led to the battle?
Conditions of the
battle? Example:
weather/type of battle
Who was involved?
(Countries and key
people)
Types of weapons
used during the battle
The end result



Who won?
Causalities?
Effect on the
War in general
3. The Battle of Ypres
Directions: Use the following sites to help with your research.
PBS
• Battle of Ypres
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/maps/maps_ypres.html
• The Battle of Passchendaele (Ypres)
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_wilson_06_passchendaele.html
Online Resources
• The First World War: Battles - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWbattles.htm
• First World War.com: Battles - http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/
• Battles of World War I - http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battles_of_world_war_one.htm
Research
Where the battle took
place? When?
What led to the battle?
Conditions of the
battle? Example:
weather/type of battle
Who was involved?
(Countries and key
people)
Types of weapons
used during the battle
The end result



Who won?
Causalities?
Effect on the
War in general
Synthesize Knowledge: WWI Battles Quiz
Directions: Create a quiz that demonstrates knowledge learned from your research (i.e, consequences of violence,
progression war and advances of the battles). Remainder! Nine Multiple Choice questions (3 questions about each
battle) One short answer (1 question connecting all three battles) * see step 5
1.
a.
b.
c.
d.
2.
3.
4.
a.
b.
c.
d.
a.
b.
c.
d.
a.
b.
c.
d.
5.
a.
b.
c.
d.
6.
a.
b.
c.
d.
7.
a.
b.
c.
d.
8.
a.
b.
c.
d.
9.
a.
b.
c.
d.
10.
Other/Interesting Information (at least 3 facts)
Specialized Group: Main Ideas of the Battle
What are you going to tell your group when you share your info with them about your battle?
Rubric and Check List – Great War: Battles
Research (Individual)
Grading Criteria 40-30 points
Individual Research is thorough
and complete.
Battle
Extensive
Research
information was
located on the topic;
student used
reputable sources
29-20 points
Research is sufficient
and complete. Most
of the information
was located on the
topic; student used
reputable sources
19-10 points
Research was minimal
and incomplete. Some
of the information was
located on the topic.
Student used some
reputable sources
9– below points
Research was not
sufficient and
incomplete.
Student did not
use reputable
sources /
questionable
information
Total Points: 40 points
Your Score: ________ / 40 points
Specialized Group (Collaborating)
Grading Criteria 10-9 points
Participation Willingly
contributes ideas to
the other group
members; considers
all views; completes
assignments on
time.
Teamwork
Listens attentively
to others’ ideas;
works
cooperatively with
others
8-7points
Contributes several
ideas; usually
considers all views;
completes
assignments on
time.
6-5 points
Participates only by
agreeing with others’
ideas; contributes no
original ideas;
completes
assignments late
4– below points
Makes few or
irrelevant
contributions; does
not complete all
assignments
Listens to others’
ideas; works well
with most group
members
Sometimes listens to
others ideas; has
difficulty working
with others
Is inattentive; allows
other group
members to do the
bulk of the work.
Total Points: 20 points
Your score: ________ / 20 points
Sharing
Grading Criteria
Sharing
Information
20-15 points
Exceeds assignment
criteria; is organized;
makes excellent use of
individual group
members and
demonstrates
excellent team effort
14-9 points
Fulfills assignment
criteria; makes use
of most group
members abilities;
demonstrates team
effort
9-5 points
Meets some
assignment criteria;
demonstrates some
evidence of team
effort.
4– below points
Does not adhere
to assignment
criteria; shows
lack of
preparation and
team effort.
Total Points: 20 points
Your score: _______ / 2 0 points
Synthesize Knowledge: WWI Battles Quiz
Grading Criteria 20-15 points
Questions are logical;
Assessing
is relevant
Knowledge information
and accurate
14-9 points
Questions are fairly
logical; information
is appropriate but
lacking accuracy
9-5 points
Questions may contain
inaccuracies; fails to
complement the
content
4– below points
Questions are
incomplete or
contain
significant
inaccuracies
Total Points: 20 points
Your score: _______ / 20 points
Total Project Grade: ___________ / 100 points