War Horse - Historical Context: World War One!

This engaging and informative lesson enables students to understand the key features of the historical context of World War I, in order to gain a clearer of understanding of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse. In particular, students learn about the key features of World War I (including the role of horses) before linking their understanding of historical context to different extracts from the text. Finally, they analyse Morpurgo’s key intentions/messages in including such ideas within his novel.

The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through:

• Researching and understanding key information about World War I, including how it was initiated, the role of horses, life in the trenches, and going ‘over the top;’
• Linking the key features of context to sections of the text;
• Reading selected extracts from the text, in order to link ideas regarding context and text together;
• Analysing Morpurgo’s key messages and ideas in through his depiction of the historical context;
• Creating their own anti-war propaganda posters, detailing what war was really like for young soldiers;
• Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts;

Included is:

• Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive;
• Research Template;
• Selected extracts (from chapters 2, 4, 7 and 8);
• Essay template
• Comprehensive lesson plan.

There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with year 7 and 8 classes, however colleagues have used them for between year 4 (advanced) and year 9 with minimal adaptations.

Please note that students will need internet access for the research introduction task.

All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.