Task 15: Webquest

The following webquest has been designed for making students researched on the different phases that took place during the WWII. An interesting activity would be dividing the class into five different groups. Each group would research on a different phase and then they would present their findings to their classmates!

1st phase research: The Phoney War (September 1939‒April 1940)

Have a look here and answer the following questions by using your own words.

• Define Phoney
• Why is it called the Phoney War?
• How did the British government protect Britain? Pay attention to children evacuation. You should research here 
• What was a billet? Have a look here

2nd phase research: Blitzkreig / Lightning war (April 1940‒June 1940)

• Everybody thought war was never going to happen but suddenly, on 9 April 1940, Nazi forces attacked Denmark and Norway.

3rd phase research: The Battle of Britain (July‒October 1940).

The First World War had to be fought mainly on the ground. World War Two was a different kind of war as it was both on the ground and from the air.

 What is known as the battle of Britain?

• What was the main aim? 

What happen next? The Blitz

• What was the Blitz?
• When did it start? When did it finish?
• Explain what air raids sirens were used for.
• What types of bombs were dropped?
• Where did people shelter? Describe an air raids shelter and give as much information as possible. You may also find useful this site (see activities: a war time home; explore its rooms and shelter). 

The British ran out of money, and had to sign the Lend-Lease Agreement with America (America sold arms to Britain, to be paid back after the war).

4th phase research:

In June 1941, Hitler invaded Russia, known as Operation Barbarossa. This brought Russia into the war. The failure of Operation Barbarossa was the first major German defeat.

• Then, in 1941 the United States entered the War. Find out why.
• What happened with those American Japanese living in the States?

Think about these images and research on them. 

Allies gradually began to win the war…

• What happened in the Battle of Midway?
• What happened in the Battle of Stalingrad?

5th Phase research: Allies Victory (1943-1945)

In 1944, the Nazis launched V-1 rockets, known as doodlebugs, which fell randomly in southern Britain but…

• What happened after D-Day on 6 June 1944?
• What does D-Day mean? What battle began on that day? 

Anglo Americans advanced in the Western Europe and the Russians advanced in Eastern Europe and in April they reached Berlin. Hitler committed suicide.

• What happened on 8 May 1945?
• What does VE Day mean? 

But the WWII had not finished yet..

• What happened on August 6 and 9? See this video
• What does VJ Day mean? When was it announced? 

Once students have researched on the phases, they may do an online quiz to consolidate their knowledge:

• Do this quiz
• Do this quiz!