MAIN Causes World War I Lesson & WWI Intro Activities - Google Digital Resources
This lesson explains the MAIN causes of World War I by exploring four key factors: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism. The introductory activities for World War I engage students, and the guided 6-E format is easy to implement.
Start with the "The Verdict" warm-up activity, then assess students' knowledge of World War I with a "Fact or Fiction?" activity. Fill-in notes accompany the lesson. Next, create a foldable or digital chart featuring the MAIN causes of WWI. A fun Reader’s Theatre activity uses the example of a recess fight to visualize the start of the Great War. Additionally, a "What If...?" activity encourages students to consider the effects of an alternate history.
Finally, assess learning with an exit ticket activity. Both printable and interactive digital versions of the materials are included, making it suitable for traditional in-class learning or digital 1:1 classrooms. Everything you need is provided!
Includes Google Resources: Digital & Print
- Guided 6-E Slides Lesson
- Fill-in Notes
- Printable Script: Class Skit
- Foldable Template
- Exit Ticket Activity
- Answer Keys
- Teacher Reference Guides
6-E Guided Lesson:
- Engage: “The Verdict” Warm-up
- Explore: ”Fact or Fiction?” WWI Activity
- Explain: Big Ideas, Fill-in Notes & MAIN Foldable
- Elaborate: “If WWI Started at Recess…” Readers Theatre
- Evaluate: ”What if…?” Altered History Activity
- Extend: Exit Ticket Activity
Vocabulary:
- Imperialism
- Militarism
- Nationalism
- Alliances
- Treaty of Versailles
- The Big Four
- Allied Forces
- Central Powers
- Armistice
- Reparations
- Veterans Day
- War Guilt Clause
- Innovation
- Industrial Revolution
- Balance of Power
- Empire
- Powder Keg
- The Great War
- Assassination
- Triple Entente
- Triple Alliance
Aligned with Social Studies Standards: CCSS, TEKS, ELPS & NCSS
Pages: 64
Grades: 6-12
Time: 1 hour