Life in the Trenches Discussion Prompts
Learning Objective: Pupils can empathise with soldiers' experiences and discuss the human impact of WW1
About this resource
This resource provides a set of engaging discussion prompts designed to help Year 6 pupils explore the challenging realities of life in the trenches during World War One. Teachers can use these prompts to facilitate meaningful classroom discussions, encouraging children to empathise with soldiers' experiences and understand the human impact of the conflict, directly supporting the KS2 history curriculum's focus on significant historical events.
Opening Questions
5 minutes- Look at this photograph of a WW1 trench. What words would you use to describe it?
- If you were a soldier writing home, what would you tell your family?
Deeper Thinking Questions
15 minutes- Why do you think soldiers kept fighting even when conditions were terrible?
- How do you think life in the trenches was different from what soldiers expected when they signed up?
- What do you think was the hardest part of trench life — and why?
Extension Questions
10 minutes- Should we still remember WW1 today? Why or why not?
- How might a soldier's experience in the trenches have changed them as a person?
- What can we learn from WW1 that is still important today?
Sentence Starters
- I think the soldiers felt... because...
- This makes me feel... because...
- I agree/disagree with... because...
- One thing that surprises me is...
- If I were a soldier, I would...
Teacher Guidance
Create a safe, respectful discussion environment. Remind pupils this is about real people's experiences. Use 'think-pair-share' to give all pupils time to formulate responses. Be sensitive to pupils who may have family connections to military service.
Differentiation
SEN Support
Use the sentence starters provided. Allow thinking time before sharing. Pair with a supportive partner.
EAL Support
Pre-teach key vocabulary: trench, soldier, conditions, remember. Provide visual prompts alongside questions.
Gifted & Talented
Respond to extension questions in writing. Research a real soldier's diary entry and compare to their own predictions.
Key Vocabulary
Assessment Criteria
- Contributes thoughtfully to discussion
- Shows empathy for historical figures
- Uses evidence to support opinions