Exemplar Story Collection

6th-8thSocial Studies

Selling the War: Propaganda in WW1

7th, 8th

60 min

History, World War I

In this 60-minute lesson, middle school students engage with a web-based interactive story created with SceneCraft that explores how propaganda was used during World War I. Students analyze real wartime posters and investigate how governments used persuasive techniques to influence public opinion and civic participation. 

The lesson is in three parts:
* Introduction: Students are introduced to propaganda, lesson expectations, and the Propaganda Analysis Guide.
* Interactive Story: Students play through the SceneCraft museum exhibit “Selling the War - Propaganda in WW1” while completing their Propaganda Analysis Guide. Here, students will analyze primary sources from WW1 in order to see the impacts of propaganda in WW1.
* Reflection and Discussion: Students reflect on how propaganda influenced citizens during World War I and connect those strategies to persuasive messaging today.