3. Don’t end up like her, read the information carefully!

4. Today’s subject: Why wasn’t the First World War over by Christmas? To begin with, you will work in pairs to devise the questions. To begin with, you will work in pairs to devise the questions. Look at the page ‘Why wasn’t it all over by Christmas?’ Look at the page ‘Why wasn’t it all over by Christmas?’ You need to devise between 2-3 questions for each stage. You need to devise between 2-3 questions for each stage. You will write the questions on one side, and three possible answers underneath- put a star next to the correct answer. You will write the questions on one side, and three possible answers underneath- put a star next to the correct answer. When you have finished your cards, hand them in to me. When you have finished your cards, hand them in to me.

5. Who wants to be a Historical Genius? You also need to read through the section to the right of the diagrams, as the first few questions I ask will be about this. You also need to read through the section to the right of the diagrams, as the first few questions I ask will be about this. When all the questions are complete we will get into groups of four. When all the questions are complete we will get into groups of four. When a question is read out, you may confer in your group. When a question is read out, you may confer in your group. Write the letter of the correct answer on your paper, and when asked, hold it up. Write the letter of the correct answer on your paper, and when asked, hold it up. Your score will be kept a track of… and there will be a prize for the winners! Your score will be kept a track of… and there will be a prize for the winners!

6. The Christmas Truce

7. ‘Steps to Christmas Truce’ Poster On Christmas Day 1914, along many sectors of the front line there was an informal truce. On Christmas Day 1914, along many sectors of the front line there was an informal truce. Troops were able to emerge from their trenches, exchange cigarettes and other presents and even play football. Troops were able to emerge from their trenches, exchange cigarettes and other presents and even play football. In some areas the truce went on for a week. In some areas the truce went on for a week. It was only broken on the command of the senior officers who became uneasy about the truce and the friendship between the troops It was only broken on the command of the senior officers who became uneasy about the truce and the friendship between the troops Why would the senior officers be uneasy?

8. The Kent Herald Wednesday, January 27th 1915: German Band Plays English National Anthem: Pte H Dixon, of the Royal Warwickshire Regt, in the course of a letter home says: "Our trenches are only about 80 to 100 yards from those of the Germans and every morning we can see them fling the water out so their trenches must be worse than ours. We had a surprise on Christmas Eve. The Germans shouted to stop firing. We had been at it all day and night, and they said they wanted to have a quiet Christmas. Some of our fellows went halfway and made a kind of truce and sniping did not take place on Christmas or Boxing Day. At 2am on Christmas morning a German band played a couple of German tunes and then "Home, Sweet Home" very touchingly which made some fellows think a bit. After they played "God Save The King" and we all cheered. At daylight on Christmas Day we went halfway and met the Germans and exchanged cigars and cigarettes with one another. They seemed a poor lot of boys and men of 40 with beards. One fellow had been employed as a waiter at the Grand Hotel Eastbourne for ten years and said he wished he was back again. They have got the idea that they are winning so one of our fellows gave them the latest paper which will open their eyes.

9. ‘ Steps to Christmas Truce’ Poster We have seen how a truce came to be agreed on over Christmas 1914. We have seen how a truce came to be agreed on over Christmas 1914. You now need to create a poster, displaying the steps to the Christmas truce. You now need to create a poster, displaying the steps to the Christmas truce. You can use your ‘why wasn’t it all over by Christmas’ sheets in your booklet for information, as well as private research. You can use your ‘why wasn’t it all over by Christmas’ sheets in your booklet for information, as well as private research. Your poster should chart the stages of the war, from the outbreak to the calling of the Christmas truce. Your poster should chart the stages of the war, from the outbreak to the calling of the Christmas truce. The significant events that you put on the poster are up to you. The significant events that you put on the poster are up to you.

10. ‘ Steps to Christmas Truce’ Poster Timescale Today’s lesson to start planning and making notes Today’s lesson to start planning and making notes Tonight’s homework to research pictures and information Tonight’s homework to research pictures and information Next lessons homework to complete. Next lessons homework to complete.

11. Write an article You are working as a reporter for an English newspaper. You are working as a reporter for an English newspaper. You have been instructed to write an article for your newspaper, letting the people back home find out about the Christmas truce. You have been instructed to write an article for your newspaper, letting the people back home find out about the Christmas truce. You should use the sources to write your own view of what was happening in December 1914. You should use the sources to write your own view of what was happening in December 1914. You can use some quotes from the sources to make your report stronger. You can use some quotes from the sources to make your report stronger.

12. Example Shocking! Christmas Truce agreed The guns have fallen silent, and it is all quiet on the Western Front. Shockingly, the two sides have come to an agreement… no fighting or hostilities on Christmas day. Mention activities Mention that some men are still engaged in fighting, and some have refused to stop. etc……

13. The Christmas Truce article- ideas What kind of activities are taking place? What kind of activities are taking place? Did all men take part in the truce? Did all men take part in the truce? Do all of the sources agree about the nature of the truce? Where is there disagreement? Do all of the sources agree about the nature of the truce? Where is there disagreement?