This database includes articles, lesson plans and primary sources from the National WWI Museum and Memorial and our partners around the world, presented in collaboration with the United States World War One Centennial Commission.
Do you have resources that you want to share or have questions? Contact us at education@theworldwar.org.
Teaching Resource Database
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World War I Battlefield CompanionCreator: American Battle Monuments CommissionThe World War I Battlefield Companion by the American Battle Monuments Commission serves as a guide for those who want to learn more about American involvement in World War I, and see the geographic locations in Europe where major events occurred. From ABMC cemeteries and memorials, to private monuments large and small, more than 50 different stops are highlighted.Download PDF |
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Bringing the Great War HomeTeaching with the Meuse-Argonne American CemeteryCreator: American Battle Monuments CommissionFrom the American Battle Monuments Commission, in conjunction with the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech, Bringing the Great War Home: Teaching with the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery is a free World War I Teacher’s Guide. Available for download via iBook or on the ABMC website, this guide includes lesson plans and ideas developed by teachers to help students better understand the service, experience, and sacrifice of Americans that served and died during the Great War. These lesson plans and lesson ideas cover a range of topics that can be applied in various subject areas, such as history, art, math, and English.Download iBook (iTunes Store), Download chapters on abmc.gov |
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How Poppies Became a Symbol of Remembrance After World War ITIME Magazine ArticleCreator: Ciara Nugent, TIME MagazineY.W.C.A. volunteer Moina Michael was inspired to create and wear poppies to remember the fallen of WWI after reading John McCrae’s poem "In Flanders Fields." This 2018 article by Ciara Nugent explores how a small act of remembrance in the United States spread, making poppies a global symbol of remembrance.Read Online |
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World War ILessons, Activities and Videos on the Great WarCreator: Scholastic, National WWI Museum and MemorialCreated by Scholastic with the National WWI Museum and Memorial and the United States World War One Centennial Commission, this collection of lessons and activities for grades 5 - 12 includes multiple lessons, posters, digital quizzes, videos and more, intended to give students a rounded background and understanding of the enduring impact of the war meant to “end all wars.”View Online |
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Trenches of World War IAn Immersive TourCreator: National WWI Museum and MemorialExplore several model WWI trenches and understand the history of trench warfare with this narrated, immersive online tour. The tour can also be viewed as a VR experience using Google Cardboard-compatible device. Visit Google Arts and Culture to learn more.Explore Online |
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World War I ArmisticeTopics in Chronicling AmericaCreator: Library of CongressThe Library of Congress provides articles from historic newspapers document the news coverage of the end of the First World War. All the linked articles and many more are searchable via the Chronicling America: American Historic Newspapers digital collection.Explore Online |
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ABMC Commemorative Sites BookletCreator: American Battle Monuments CommissionAmerican Battle Monuments Commission manages 26 cemeteries and 27 monuments. This pdf booklet provides an overview of all of the American Battle Monuments Commission sites around the world, along with historical information about ABMC.Download PDF |
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Literary memories of World War OneRepresentation and memoryCreator: British LibraryIn this article, Professor Emeritus Modris Eksteins analyzes the use—and limitations—of literature as a way of confronting the atrocities and devastation of the WWI, primarily focusing on literature written during the 1920s and 1930s.Read Online |
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Poppies for Remembrance and CommemorationCreator: National WWI Museum and Memorial, US WW1 Centennial CommissionExamine the importance of remembrance and commemoration through the symbolism of the poppy, engage your younger students with poppy crafts, and learn how to get your class involved in the fundraising effort to build a national WWI memorial in Washington, D.C.View Online |
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Nov. 11, 1918Armistice on the Western FrontCreator: National WWI Museum and MemorialOn Nov. 11, 1918, after more than four years of horrific fighting and the loss of millions of lives, the guns on the Western Front fell silent. Although fighting continued elsewhere, the armistice between Germany and the Allies was the first step to ending World War I. The global reaction was one of mixed emotions: relief, celebration, disbelief and a profound sense of loss. This brief article from the National WWI Museum and Memorial provides an overview of the events of the Armistice.View Online |
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Occupation During and After the WarCreator: 1914-1918-online, International Encyclopedia of the First World WarThis article by Joachim Schröder and Alexander Watson studies Germany’s experiences of occupation during and after the First World War. It highlights how Germans’ experiences contributed to fueling a sense of aggrieved injustice and a turn to extreme nationalism in the conflict’s aftermath.View Online |
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Who They WereCreator: National History DayIn the fall of 1918, young Americans from communities across our nation pushed forward across the battlefields of Europe, helping to end the war. Who They Were, an activity developed by the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission and National History Day, guides educators and students in exploring the story of their community's World War I generation. Using a simple Activity Toolkit, students create presentations that are posted to an online map and can be shared throughout at events and commemorations at their school and community.Download Toolkit |
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Hundred Days OffensiveFighting to End the WarCreator: National WWI Museum and Memorial, US WW1 Centennial CommissionThe Hundred Days Offensive was a series of attacks by the Allied troops at the end of World War I. Starting on August 8, 1918, and ending with the Armistice on November 11, the Offensive led to the defeat of the German Army. This short article, written by James Taub of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, summarizes the Allied military strategy and key players.View Online |
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From Amiens to ArmisticeThe Hundred Days OffensiveCreator: Imperial War MuseumsThis online exhibit outlines the major factors and themes that led to German defeat during the 100 Days Offensive and the immense cost of this last stretch of the conflict. Accompanied by photos that portray Germany’s waning morale, this exhibit raises the question: if these same events had happened only a couple years earlier would Germany ever have surrendered?View Online |
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World War I and Interwar SourcesEducators' ToolboxCreator: U.S. Army Heritage & Education CenterFrom the U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center, the USAHEC Educators' Toolbox is a resource for educators of all levels to find primary source materials from the U.S. Army's history for their classroom. The U.S. Army's history is rich and diverse. The USAHEC is the Army's archives, with primary source holdings ranging from individual Soldier stories to the plans and outlines for entire conflicts. The "military" side of the Army's history is important, but our other materials are just as useful in your classroom. The history of medicine, technology, leadership, integration, and hundreds of other topics and themes are available to educators to enrich learning in their classrooms.View the Resource Archive |
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about this project
The United States World War One Centennial Commission and the National WWI Museum and Memorial are dedicated to educating the public about the causes, events and consequences of the conflict and we encourage the use of these resources to better understand the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community.
Assisting in this endeavor are:
