Using the featured quote and other content from the chapter introduction, guide students to a fuller understanding of the quote and how it represents the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and the mindset of a World War I soldier.

Guiding Questions

• Why is World War I considered the first modern war?

Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

• Critically analyze a quote.
• Work with a partner to find meaning in a quote.
• Present thoughts to a partner and to the class.

Activities

• Introduce the guiding question by showing it on the slideshow: “Why is World War I considered the first modern war?” Define the term “modern” as a class and make a class list on your SmartBoard or WhiteBoard of the elements of modern war (weapons, strategy, etc.).
• Discuss the image with the horse and gas mask. Pose questions: What is modern? What is not? Then, create a class list of the elements involved in modern war. (possible ideas: machine guns, tanks, airplanes, gas, atomic bombs, drones, etc.)
• Instruct students to access this chapter. Allow them 5 minutes to explore the videos, photos, and text on the cover and in the introduction. After 5 minutes, instruct students to read or reread the quote from the military chaplain.
• Instruct students to complete the quote analysis sheet independently.
• After 7 minutes, assign partner groups and ask students to share their interpretations and complete the partner edition of the quote analysis sheet. Stress to students that these answers should be a mix of both partners’ ideas.
• After 5 minutes, call on partner groups to present their interpretations to the class. As groups present, paraphrase their interpretations and list them on the SmartBoard or WhiteBoard.
• Pass out the exit ticket and instruct all students to fill it out.

Assessment

Assess students based on their quote analysis sheet and exit tickets.

Materials Needed

The cover and introductory section for this chapter.
Quote Analysis Handout
Quote Analysis Exit Ticket
Quote Analysis Slideshow

Time Required
60 minutes

Materials Needed

The cover and introductory section for this chapter.
Quote Analysis Handout
Quote Analysis Exit Ticket
Quote Analysis Slideshow