📖

The Great War Begins

World War I and America on the World Stage

Day 81of 180
Week 17of 36
30Minutes
← Day 80Day 81 of 180Day 82 →
🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the initial causes of World War I

2

Identify the major European alliances

3

Explain how international tensions led to conflict

📖 Scripture Connection

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

— Matthew 5:9 (WEB)

Exploring how conflicts arise and the importance of seeking peace

📦 Materials Needed

  • Large world map
  • Colored string or yarn
  • Pins or sticky notes
  • Colored pencils
  • Worksheet with European countries
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and introduce the concept of world conflicts. Ask students to share what they know about disagreements between countries.

💭 Review Question: What makes countries disagree with each other?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain the complex system of alliances in Europe before World War I. Discuss how small conflicts can escalate into larger wars when countries are closely connected.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • European countries had complex friendship and defense agreements
  • Tensions were building between major powers
  • A single event could trigger a massive conflict
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why might countries make agreements to defend each other?
  • How can misunderstandings lead to bigger problems?
3Activity: Alliance Web Map (10 min)
hands-on

Students create a visual map showing European country alliances before WWI

📝 Instructions:
  1. Use a large world map
  2. Use different colored strings to show alliances
  3. Mark key countries with pins or sticky notes
  4. Color-code the different alliance groups
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-mark some alliance connections for students

Challenge: Students research and verify alliance details independently

4Closing (5 min)

Recap the complexity of international relationships and how small conflicts can grow

📝 Review Questions:
  • What were the main groups of countries in the alliances?
  • How might peaceful communication prevent wars?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be peacemakers and understand how to resolve conflicts with love and understanding.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about how America initially stayed neutral in the war

💎 Memory Verse

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

— Matthew 5:9 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Peace Chain: Students write ways to resolve conflicts on paper links

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

World War I began due to a complex system of European alliances and rising tensions

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Help children understand conflict resolution
  • Discuss the importance of communication
  • Emphasize the human cost of war
🤔 Common Struggles:

Understanding the complexity of international relationships

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Ability to explain how countries might become involved in a conflict

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a timeline of events leading to WWI
  • Write a journal entry from the perspective of a European child in 1914
  • Research one of the major countries involved in the initial conflict

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 82 →Back to History & Social Studies