The First World War - Trench Medicine

This lesson explores the advancements in trench medicine during World War I. Students will learn about significant medical innovations such as blood transfusions, plastic surgery, and mobile X-ray units. Activities include guided reading, creating a knowledge wall, and performing a skit to demonstrate medical practices. The lesson concludes with a peer assessment of the skits to reinforce understanding and historical empathy.

Lesson Content and Activities:

Introduction:

Discuss why medical advancements often occur rapidly during periods of extended war.
Medical Advances During WWI:

Introduction to key medical advances such as blood transfusions, plastic surgery, prosthetics, mobile X-ray units, improved triage and medical transport, and antiseptics.
Guided Reading:

Students read one of six guided reading sheets on specific medical advances.
Complete tasks in the margins and summarise findings on post-it notes.
Knowledge Wall:

Post-it notes are placed on the board under the correct headings to create a “knowledge wall.”
ER – First World War Edition!

In groups, students create and practice a skit about the life of a WWI doctor.
The skit should include speaking roles for everyone, props/scenery, and depict three medical emergencies using new medical techniques.
Reference specific inventors/pioneers of each technique.
Presentation:

Groups perform their skits.
Complete feedback sheets for each group’s presentation.
Resources:

Guided reading sheets
Post-it notes for the knowledge wall
Example script extract
Feedback sheets for presentations
Taken from a series of over 30 First World War lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of 20th Century History and each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills.

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