Elizabeth and Britain during WW2
I can describe Elizabeth's experiences during the Second World War.
Elizabeth and Britain during WW2
I can describe Elizabeth's experiences during the Second World War.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In 1939, England began fighting in the Second World War and much of the country was in danger of attack.
- Elizabeth and her family were moved out of London to keep them safe; many children were evacuated like this.
- Like the rest of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth and her family experienced air raid drills and rationing.
- Elizabeth joined a special part of the army, that was created for women, by driving and repairing vehicles.
- Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast during the war, speaking to other evacuated children.
Keywords
War - war is when groups of people fight one another
United Kingdom - the collection of four countries England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Rationing - when everyone is given a fixed amount of items to make sure there is enough for everyone
Army - a group of soldiers who fight with weapons, usually for a country
Radio - a radio is a device that gives information that is listened to
Common misconception
Pupils may think that Elizabeth fought actively during the war.
She contributed remotely but played a role that was just as pivotal.
To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: Elizabeth and Britain during WW2, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: Elizabeth and Britain during WW2, 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 history lessons from the Elizabeth II: what was her life like? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended