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The countless deaths of the Great War are often unimaginable to young learners. Examining the life and writings of Louis Barthas, however, paints a picture of life in the trenches. Show your pupils what life was like as a poilu, or common solider, in the Great War using a captivating video biography.
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CCSS:
Adaptable
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Instructional Ideas
- Pair video with excerpts of primary sources from soldiers to develop young historians' understanding of military life
- Show the video and ask class to write letters home from the trenches based on details
Classroom Considerations
- Part of Who Did What in World War I? video series
- Graphic pictures of dead soldiers are disturbing for some viewers
- This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
- Quotes from Barthas' writing and photographs grab viewers' attention
- Easy to pair with primary source activities to build context
- Anecdotes and engaging narrator create interest
Cons
- Does not include primary sources for extension activities