27 May - 2 June

Context of Lesson/Key Ideas:

The Centenary of the First World War is an ideal opportunity to look at the role of animals during this time. Animals played an extensive part in WW1. This lesson looks at which animals were used, and why.

Aims and Objectives:

• To explore the varied roles of animals during World War One.

• To research and report back on your findings.

Learning tasks:

• Brainstorm as a class what students already know about the use of animals in World War One.

Keep the list as a checklist for future reference.

Research

1. Search the resources on the Animal Aid website and compile a list of all the different kinds of

animals used by both sides in the war.

2. For each animal, make a list of all the different kinds of activities they performed.

3. Study sources 1 - 4 and comment on where the animals used in the war came from.

4. Use Resource sheet 4: Photos (5a, 5b and 5c) to report on how these animals were trained for their part in the war.

Resources (available as downloads from the Animal Aid website):

1 Photo of horses pulling a plough (Source 1)

2 Resource sheet 1: Letter from Freda to Lord Kitchener (Source 2)

3 Resource sheet 2: Photo of Betty (Freda’s horse) (Source 3a) and Lord Kitchener’s reply (Source 3b)

4 Resource sheet 3: Personal accounts (Sources 4a, 4b and 4c)

5 Resource sheet 4: Photos (Sourcs 5a, 5b and 5c)