The Trenches Pupil's Book: This is History:

Summary:
This is History! is the Schools History Project's radical Key Stage 3 scheme of work for National Curriculum history. Through a combination of in-depth and overview units it offers a varied, relevant and challenging diet for the whole Key Stage 3 history programme of study.

The Trenches offers an innovative approach to teaching the First World War - ideal for Y9. Its central and major task is that the pupils have to decide on the usefulness and reliability of a single First World War source - the film The Battle of the Somme, which was made as government propaganda in 1916 and was widely shown all over the country at the time. The film is available on video from the Imperial War Museum. The pupils investigate this film by cross referencing it in a structured way with a range of other World War I sources.

Table of Contents:
SECTION 1: Does the film The Battle of the Somme provide a realistic picture of life in the trenches?
Examining the evidence
1.1 Introducing Mr Doc
Meet Mr Doc and find out why he needs your help
1.2 What do we learn from the film about life in the trenches?
Learn how to look for the hidden clues within a source
1.3 Should we trust everything the film tells us?
Learn how to test evidence effectively and spot loaded language
1.4 Does other evidence support or challenge the film?
Cross-check the key messages put forward in the film against other sources
1.5 The history roller-coaster
Pull everything together in a balanced essay
SECTION 2: So you think you could do better?
Drawing your own conclusions
2.1 Why did men carry on fighting in the trenches?
Take part in a debate
2.2 How is the First World War presented today?
How has the way in which it is presented changed?
2.3 So you want to be a film-maker?
Use a film storyboard to write the conclusion to Mr Doc's documentary
2.4 What have you learnt from your study of the First World War?
Design your own website and help future students handle the evidence effectively

About the Author(s):
Dale Banham is Head of Humanities at Holbrook High School, Ipswich and Christopher Culpin is Director of the Schools History Project.