Unlocking History: The Start of WW2 and the Codebreaking Secret

This activity will transport Year 6 pupils back to the pivotal moments leading up to and during the early stages of the Second World War. Through a combination of engaging discussion, a timeline activity, and an introduction to the fascinating world of codebreaking, children will develop a foundational understanding of this significant historical period. We'll explore the causes, key events, and the crucial, often secret, role that codebreaking played, particularly at Bletchley Park, in shaping the war's trajectory. This aligns with the Key Stage 2 curriculum's focus on studying an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils' chronological knowledge beyond 1066.

1. Hook and Prior Knowledge (10 minutes)

• Teacher Input: Begin by asking pupils what they already know about World War 2. Use a 'think, pair, share' approach. Jot down their ideas on the board, correcting any misconceptions gently.
• Key Question: Pose the question: 'What do you think caused such a big war to start?' Encourage initial thoughts.

2. The Spark: Germany and Poland (15 minutes)

• Teacher Input: Explain the context of Germany's actions under Hitler, particularly the invasion of Poland on 1st September 1939. Use a simple map to show Germany and Poland.
• Discussion: Explain how Britain and France had promised to protect Poland, leading to their declaration of war on Germany on 3rd September 1939. Emphasise the immediate impact this had on people in Britain (e.g., evacuation of children, blackout).
• Visual Aid: Show a short, age-appropriate clip or images of the declaration of war or early war posters.

3. Key Early Events Timeline (20 minutes)

• Activity: Provide pupils with pre-prepared cards detailing key early events of WW2 (e.g., Invasion of Poland, Declaration of War, The Phoney War, The Battle of Britain, The Blitz). Include dates.
• Task: In small groups, pupils arrange these cards in chronological order on a large sheet of paper or on the classroom floor. Encourage discussion about the sequence of events.
• Review: Go through the timeline as a class, reinforcing the order and briefly explaining each event's significance.

4. The Secret Weapon: Codebreaking (15 minutes)

• Introduction: Ask pupils if they know what a 'secret code' is. Discuss why people might use them.
• Teacher Input: Introduce the concept of codebreaking in WW2. Explain that both sides used secret messages, and the ability to 'read' the enemy's messages was incredibly powerful. Introduce Bletchley Park as the home of British codebreakers.
• Analogy: Use a simple analogy, e.g., 'Imagine you have a secret diary, but someone finds the key to unlock it and read all your secrets. That's a bit like what codebreakers did!'
• Significance: Explain that codebreakers, like Alan Turing, helped shorten the war and save lives by understanding enemy plans.

5. Simple Code Activity (10 minutes)

• Activity: Provide pupils with a simple substitution cipher (e.g., A=1, B=2, C=3 or a simple Caesar shift). Give them a short, coded message related to WW2 (e.g., 'BRITAIN DECLARED WAR').
• Task: Pupils work individually or in pairs to decode the message. This gives them a tangible, albeit simplified, experience of codebreaking.
• Discussion: Ask: 'How did it feel to crack the code? Why would this be important in a war?'

6. Plenary and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Review: Recap the main points: the start of the war, a few key early events, and the vital role of codebreaking.
• Exit Ticket: Ask pupils to write down one new thing they learned today about WW2 or codebreaking on a sticky note.

• Whiteboard or interactive display
• World map (physical or digital) highlighting Europe
• Pre-prepared event cards for the timeline activity (e.g., 'Invasion of Poland - Sept 1939', 'Britain Declares War - Sept 1939', 'The Phoney War - Sept 1939-May 1940', 'Battle of Britain - July-Oct 1940', 'The Blitz - Sept 1940-May 1941')
• Large sheets of paper or sugar paper for timeline groups
• Age-appropriate images or a short video clip related to early WW2 events (e.g., evacuation posters, newspaper headlines)
• Simple substitution cipher key and coded messages for each pupil or pair
• Pencils and paper
• Sticky notes for exit tickets