Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’: Alice’s experiences on the Home Front
I can rewrite a passage of Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’ from the perspective of the character of Alice.
Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’: Alice’s experiences on the Home Front
I can rewrite a passage of Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’ from the perspective of the character of Alice.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Home Front refers to the idea that those in Britain felt the impact of World War One in their day to day lives.
- Food shortages, bombs and fear of invasion are some of the ways civilians in Britain were affected by World War One.
- When loved ones returned home from the front line, there were often complex and conflicting emotions.
- Many women found employment during World War One, filling the labour shortage because so many men were fighting.
- Telegrams were a common method of communication during World War One.
Keywords
Telegram - a short written message, now outdated; used in WW1 to inform family members of death or casualty on the front line.
Proximity - being close to something.
Ignorance - lack of knowledge or understanding.
Perspective - point of view.
Infer - to work out, to make an educated guess.
Common misconception
Those living in Britain during World War One faced no threat or privation other than their loved ones being far away.
World War One was what is known as 'total war' meaning that those in Britain felt its impact in their day to day life.
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’: Alice’s experiences on the Home Front, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’: Alice’s experiences on the Home Front, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the Literary perspectives from the First World War unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the 2014 edition of Stories of World War One, edited by Tony Bradman to read 'Propping Up the Line' by Ian Beck.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
refers to the way in which civilians at home are impacted by war
the bit of the battlefield closest to the enemy
where the majority of the fighting took place in WW1; Europe
civilians worried for loved ones on the front line
as well as fear of invasion, the trenches in France felt very close
understanding of the trenches was limited; many didn't speak of it
production of food decreased, and prices increased
some women felt less confined to the home as they took on 'male' jobs