Learning Targets

1. Describe WWI fighting and warfare.

1. Choose words which describe the fighting techniques and weapons and add them to a taxonomy.

1. Create a diamond poem which describes the fighting in WWI.

The Early Western Front • German Schlieffen Plan: attack France

1st, then Russia • Battle of the Marne: stops German advance• Western Front Stalemate: neither side can win a clear victory for 3 yrs.

1. Cover your notes.

2. On your whiteboard, write as much as you can remember about the causes of WWI.

3. Compare with others at your table. What did you remember? What did you forget? Who had the most?

• Trench warfare

• Poison Gas (outlawed after WWI)

• Rapid Firing Machine Guns

• Submarine Warfare (led to convoys)

German U-9 - destroyed three ships in 75 minutes, including the Cressy

• Mines and underwater explosives

Mines from Ottoman Empire

• Air fighting and Spying (planes and zeppelins)

Zeppelin bombing raid

“Dog Fight” above the trenches in WWI

• Tanks (broke the Western front)

Introduced at battle of Somme, 1916, but could only go 3 mph.

By 1918 able to cross trenches

1. Read about a fighting technique and work on the taxonomy.

2. If you finish earlier than partners, answer the “Would You Rather” question.

3. Rotate readings and taxonomies. Read about a new fighting technique and add to the taxonomy (more than 1 word for each letter is great!).

4. Repeat #1-3 until all readings and taxonomies are complete.

1. Return to original taxonomy and read through additional words.

2. Create a diamond poem using words from the taxonomy (see example).

3. Share diamond poems at table and select the most descriptive.

4. If time, share selected poems with class.

Write a summary paragraph in your notebook on what you learned today. Include:

1. Description of the three fighting methods.

2. Analysis of the fighting methods’ impact on the war (e.g. cost to soldiers, how each helped end or prolong the war).

• Trench: Would you rather shoot yourself in the foot or “go over the top?” Why?

• Submarine: Would you rather be the captain of the submarine, or of the ship going down? Explain.

• Gas: Would you rather be hit by chlorine gas with a a possibly leaky helmet, or by mustard gas? State your reasons.

EXTRA CHALLENGE:1. Read “Death of an Air Ace.”2. Complete a taxonomy on it.3. Draw a picture or create a diamond poem about it..

Use three of the following words to describe fighting in WWI:• Trenches• “Going Over the Top”• No Man’s Land• Gas Attack• U-Boat (German Submarine)• Convoys • Aces• “Dog Fights”