LKS2 Topic: WW2: A Child’s Eye View from the Home Front Block A: WW2: How it began
Introduce the historic events that led to the outbreak of the Second World War. Place events on a
timeline that will grow throughout the topic and build understanding of the chronology of the war. Look
at and experience through role play the early events of the war from a child’s perspective.
Block A: WW2: How it
began
[3 sessions]
Main Outcome: History
Other outcomes: Geography and English
By the end of this block you
can expect the following
outcomes:

Session 1 History and
Geography
Britain Declares war
Discover what was
happening in Germany in the
1930’s and why this
eventually led to war. Know
which countries were
involved locate them on a
map of Europe.
Session 2 History and English
Gas Masks and Blackouts
Learn about the precautions
put in place to keep people
safe when war broke out
including gas masks,
blackouts and ARP wardens.
Session 3 History
Bomb Shelters and The Blitz
Discover why people needed
bomb shelters in WW2 and
what it was like to
experience an air raid during
the Blitz.
Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British and
World history.
 Address historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity, difference and
significance.
 Participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role play, improvisations
and debate.
 Locate the world’s countries using maps to focus on Europe, concentrating on
countries and major cities.
Children will:
 Learn about the events that led up to Britain declaring war on Germany in 1939.
 Place significant events in a Timeline.
 Begin to learn the locations of countries in Europe and the part they played at the
start of WW2.
Children will:
 Make a gas mask box and discover why gas masks were needed.
 Experience a gas mask drill.
 Find out about blackouts and investigate the role of the ARP warden using drama.
Children will:
 Find out about bomb shelters and The Blitz.
 Role play an air raid in the classroom using sound effects, tables made into bomb
shelters and the teacher in role.
 Make a cardboard Anderson shelter and design the inside to prepare for aid raids.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
LKS2 Topic: WW2: A Child’s Eye View from the Home Front Block A: WW2: How it began
Resources
Session 1
Provided: Session 1 PowerPoint; Colour printouts of the blank dated maps (easy gp task sheet); Colour
printouts of the reference map (session 1 resource) – one per ch or pair in easy group; Printout of the
timeline (session 1 resource); Med/Hard task sheets (1 per child).
You will need: Coloured pencil crayons, pens.
Session 2
Provided: Session 2 PowerPoint; Net for producing gas mask case – copy this onto A3 card (1 per child);
A printout of the drama notes with the scenarios cut into separate strips.
You will need: Large ball of string (you could pre-cut this into lengths and knot these into loops before
the lesson to save time if desired – the loops should be long enough to hang just below the waist when
placed around the neck); Scissors, glue sticks, masking tape; A large space, e.g. hall to move to for the
drama phase of the lesson.
Session 3
Provided: Shelter template on card - 1 between 4 (Hamilton resource) – An A5 sized template of an
Anderson shelter with door see slide 4 ; Printout of session 3 Timeline event – The Blitz; Session 3
PowerPoint.
You will need: Several large cloths, (e.g. sheets, old curtains) ideally large enough to cover groups of
tables so that they hang down to the floor around the edges; Silver corrugated card (you could prespray brown card with silver paint) cut into A5 pieces – enough for 1 per child; A sheet of A4 card per
child; Pencils; Pens; Coloured pencils.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.