大象传媒

KS2 History: World War One A to Z

In this series of short films for schools pupils can learn about different aspects of World War One, using a mixture of children's research, artefacts and archive from the time.

The films centre round personal testimony monologues, although they are fictional, the stories are based on primary sources and highlight the diversity of the people affected by the war.

These clips are taken from the original 大象传媒 series, WW1 A-Z and are suitable for teaching Key Stage 2 and above in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Second Level and above in Scotland.

Some clips contain potentially upsetting content; teacher review is recommended before use in class.

Pictures and commentary explain the beginning of World War One in 1914, sparked by the assassination of Austria-Hungary鈥檚 Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

A is for Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Newsreel and dramatic footage illustrate how the British army recruited groups of friends and neighbours to fight together.

B is for Battalions

Newsreel and dramatic footage describe how Britain introduced conscription - compulsory army recruitment - in 1916.

C is for Conscription

Pupils examine wartime diaries and discuss the value of first-hand accounts. In a monologue, a war widow reads from her husband鈥檚 diary.

D is for Diary

Newsreel and commentary explain how the British Empire helped in WW1. An Indian soldier describes his brave actions in battle in a monologue based on a true story.

E is for Empire

Newsreel, commentary and a monologue from an army chef in his field kitchen illustrate what soldiers in the WW1 trenches were given to eat.

F is for Food

School pupils handle a British gas mask from WW1. Newsreels of the period show soldiers using gas masks in training and at the front.

G is for Gas

Newsreel and a dramatic monologue illustrate life on the Home Front in Britain during WW1.

H is for Home Front

Newsreel, photographs and commentary introduce the Canadia Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who wrote the famous poem 'In Flanders Fields'.

I is for In Flanders Fields

Newsreel and commentary about the role of patriotic songs in World War One, plus a dramatic monologue about the songwriter Ivor Novello.

J is for Jutland Jack

Newsreel and commentary about the role of patriotic songs in World War One, plus a dramatic monologue about the songwriter Ivor Novello.

K is for Keep The Home Fires Burning

Newsreel and a dramatised monologue about the Lusitania, a passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-Boat off the coast of Ireland.

L is for Lusitania

Newsreel and a dramatised monologue about the advances in medicine made during World War One.

M is for Medicine

Commentary, newsreel and dramatic monologue describe the role of nurses during WW1, including the work of Edith Cavell.

N is for Nurses

Commentary, newsreel and dramatic monologue introduce Wilfred Owen, today one of the most widely recognised WW1 poets.

O is for Owen (Wilfred)

Photographs, newsreel and dramatic monologue show how the Post Office carried messages and parcels from home to British Tommies in the trenches.

P is for Post Office

Newsreel and dramatic monologue explain the role of the quartermaster in keeping British WW1 troops supplied and equipped.

Q is for Quartermaster

Schoolchildren describe the national act of remembrance that takes place on 11th November each year.

R is for Remembrance

Newsreel and dramatic monologue describe the effects of shrapnel in WW1, and the role of woman doctors in treating its effects.

S is for Shrapnel

Newsreel, schoolchildren鈥檚 commentary and dramatic monologue describe the conditions of British trenches on WW1's Western Front.

T is for Trenches

Newsreel, schoolchildren鈥檚 commentary and dramatic monologue illustrate the role of animals in WW1, including the famous terrier Sergeant Stubby.

U is for Unsung Heroes

Newsreel, schoolchildren and dramatic monologue show the victory celebrations in 1918 at the end of WW1.

V is for Victory

Newsreel and dramatic monologue honour the role of British women during WW1, particularly those who worked in munitions factories.

W is for Women

Through newsreel, children's commentary and dramatic monologue, this short film for primary schools tells the story of one Christmas Eve in 1914 when peace broke out in the trenches.

X is for Xmas Truce

A selection of British newspaper headlines from WW1 suggest the impact propaganda had in Britain.

Y is for Your Country Needs You

Newsreel, a school child鈥檚 commentary and dramatic monologue give an account of the Zeppelin raids on Britain starting in 1915.

Z is for Zeppelin

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