Shoebox Trench project – researching soldiers’ experiences and creating model trenches and an exhibition in school

How the project achieved the sections of the award

Plan

Pupils were given the opportunity to plan their own models and research for the project, creating plans in jotters before building their own models.

Investigate

In order to prepare, pupils studied WW1 trenches in class using a range of primary and secondary sources including workbooks, textbooks, videos and pictures to gain an overall picture of life in the trenches. Pupils drew and labelled trench diagrams in their jotters to demonstrate their understanding of how the trench worked.

Pupils were given a homework task of writing a diary entry from the point of view of a soldier describing life in the trench. They were then tasked with researching trenches further and sourcing materials for creating their models. They brought in everything from toy soldiers and tea bags to modelling clay and tin foil.

Engage

Pupils spent 6 lessons creating their trenches using a wide range of materials to complete their final product. They worked exceptionally hard, arriving promptly each lesson and getting set up without prompting. Pupils also demonstrated great teamwork, helping each other out when completing tricky parts of the models and problem solving difficult bits together. Pupils continued to research while creating their models, seeking more examples of real trenches to add extra detail where possible.

Inspire

While the class were creating the trench models, staff were invited to visit and discuss the trenches with pupils as they made them. The trenches were also displayed in the classroom throughout the two weeks creating them which allowed for younger History students to study them and ask questions.
Once finished, the class displayed their trenches in the library along with their diary entries and signs. Pupils will show to the models to parents on an information evening for the upcoming Battlefields trip where pupils will visit real trenches.
Photos have also been shared on the school twitter page.

Reflect

Pupils reflected on their work by producing display signs to go with their models. These explained how they made the trench, what went well and what was difficult, and how building a model trench helped their learning. Most pupils acknowledged that building the trench aided their understanding of the structure of a trench, as well as helping them to remember features and their purposes.

Lessons Learned

Having done this project with the Heritage Hero Awards twice, the main thing I have learned is to encourage pupils to take as much ownership for their learning as possible. Pupils really enjoyed the freedom of choosing their own materials and managing their own time, with many reflecting that they learned more by trial and error. One group commented “the challenge of sticking everything together during the process of making a model trench was a good laugh” (Aarron and Michal)

Highlight(s)

The Shoebox Trenches project is the highlight of my S3 History course. It provides a short break from the usual literacy-based work and gives pupils the opportunity to explore the trenches and show their learning in a different way. Pupils really enjoyed working together and were proud to see their work displayed in the school library when they were completed. “The best part of building the trenches was seeing how all our hard work paid off at the end” (Jessica, Hannah, Momina, Ivana)

The benefit of using the Heritage Hero Awards

Using the Heritage Hero Awards was hugely beneficial to our project on WW1 trenches. Pupils were more engaged knowing that there was the potential to receive an award at the end and put their best effort into the tasks. The Heritage Hero Award certificates gave added value to the pupils’ work and allowed us to celebrate their achievement in a short prizegiving ceremony.

Quotes

Seeing the end result, we couldn’t believe that this trench was made out of a shoebox, cardboard and paint!

Amy, Niamh

Making the model trenches to resemble the actual layout of a real trench made you think about how everything they had there was necessary, and they had no luxuries

Aarron, Michal

Case study compiled by

Sarah Johnstone, Holy Rood RC High School

With thanks to

(any partner organisations (with logos if important) or individuals who helped)

Notes from Archaeology Scotland:

Thank you for looking at completing this case study for us. The idea is these case studies will act as great inspiration for groups wanting to take part in the Heritage Hero Awards, as well as being an opportunity for us to celebrate your group/ project on our webpage.

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