How experiences differed during the Second World War
I can explain how the Second World War was a turning point in many different ways for the British people.
How experiences differed during the Second World War
I can explain how the Second World War was a turning point in many different ways for the British people.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- During the Second World War the experiences of men, women and children differed greatly.
- However, the great changes that the Second World War brought about affected a large number of people.
- Because of the global nature of the war British people were exposed to unfamiliar places, cultures and ways of life.
- The Second World War was a turning point for many women and for children because it changed their lives forever.
- A strong explanation of why WWII was a turning point in many ways will reference knowledge from across this unit.
Keywords
Conscripted - when people are forced to join the armed forces, they are conscripted
Civilian - a civilian is someone who is not part of the armed forces
Turning point - a turning point in history is an idea, event, or action that leads to permanent change
Permanent - something that is permanent will last a very long time
Common misconception
Pupils may think that life returned to normal for everyone after the war was over.
Emphasise how the changes brought by the Second World War were permanent.
To help you plan your year 6 history lesson on: How experiences differed during the Second World War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 history lesson on: How experiences differed during the Second World War, 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 2 history lessons from the Significant turning points: how did experiences differ during WWII? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a medical artist at Queen Victoria Hospital
a princess from Nigeria who trained as a nurse
a nurse from Ireland who ran the burns ward
Exit quiz
6 Questions
They had travelled and met new people with different cultures.
They learned new skills and had proven they could do different jobs.
They grew up during the war and often missed years of school.