So Lonely In The Trenches

During our World War I unit, I transformed my classroom into a WWI trench system. When I began talking about WWI, I realized that my students didn't fully grasp what trenches were. They knew the dimensions and they understood they were unsanitary, but I could tell they didn't understand how frightening it would be to not be able to see your enemy and how lonely being in the trenches could be. I decided the best way to help bring understanding to this was to recreate trenches in my classroom.

I used two refrigerator sized boxes to create the entrance to each trench. I found brown painters paper that I used to create the walls. I duck taped the paper to the box and then at the other end of my room onto a couple desks. Dollar Tree had some fun black guaze material that I draped over the entrances. I also found a few fake rats that were put inside the trenches. Lots of "eeks" were heard during the day! I used black plastic table clothes for the ground and several paint drop clothes to create "No Man's Land." This took a few hours over the weekend to create, but it was well worth it!

My initial plan was to do all of the activities inside my classroom, but the next morning when I walked in the room, all the paper had fallen to the floor. It would not be sturdy for the activities. I retaped the paper and had to come up with another plan. 

When Plan A doesn't work, you've got to be ready to think on your feet and move to Plan B!

So Lonely In The Trenches Activities

Part 1: Inside the Trenches

Students entered my dark room and didn't know what to expect. I found some cool "music" that sounded like artillery fire from WWI. The looks and the sounds the kids made were priceless! They will never forget what it felt like to be inside the trenches. 

Part 2: Artillery Fire

Since the walls weren't stable enough to do this activity inside, I found some plastic table cloths and used them to make trench walls outside. The students were required to bring a pair of socks to school. They had no idea what they were needed for and the guesses were hilarious! I had two students hold each wall above the students heads, and then we used the socks as artillery. The goal was to "hit the enemy." Students were tempted to catch the flying socks, so we had to regroup and discuss why that wasn't a great idea. This activity was a blast. During our discussion after, the kids kept saying that at first it was a lot of fun, but then when they realized the "sock" would have been some type of explosive they felt sad for the troops.

Part 3: Periscopes

Using shoe boxes and mirrors, I created a periscope for each trench. Students used these to try to spot the enemy. Next year, I will ask my team teacher to make them in science so that the students understand how they are made and why they work by creating them themselves.

Part 4: Building Trenches

I divided my students into small groups and gave them a deep pie pan, sand, water, tooth picks and army men. They were asked to create a trench system. 

Transforming your classroom is well worth the time and energy! My students are still talking about our trench day, and I know when they take their test, they will do well. 

I'd love to hear from you! Any ideas on how to make this better? Like I said, I had to go to Plan B. I'm still thinking through this and how I can change it up next year.