Activity Overview
Understanding the German Blitzkrieg is essential to understanding how powerful Nazi Germany was in the early years of WWII as well as the response each country had to Germany's actions. Using a spider map, students will reflect the major impacts of the German Blitzkrieg in the early war. They should follow the 5 Ws model to create and answer a “Who, What, When, Where, and Why” style of question and accompany their answer with a visual representation.
Possible Questions
- Who inspired the Blitzkrieg style of warfare?
- What was the German Blitzkrieg?
- When was the Blitzkrieg first used?
- Where was the German Blitzkrieg most effective?
- Why was the Blitzkrieg used?
Extended Activity
For this extended activity, students should present their spider maps to their peers with the goal of finding other peers that answered similar questions to the ones that they created and comparing their answers. Giving students a “KWL Chart” prior to this activity is helpful for them to reflect about what they “Know, Want to Know, and Learned” from this activity.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a 5W analysis of the German Blitzkrieg: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title box for each cell, type Who, What, When, Where and Why.
- In the descriptions, answer the question.
- Create an image for each cell with appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The student clearly, thoroughly, accurately chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. | The student chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. Some of the information is clear, thorough, and accurate. | The who, what, where, when, and why questions and answers are incomplete, confusing, or inaccurate. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the written information using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the written information, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the written information. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
Activity Overview
Understanding the German Blitzkrieg is essential to understanding how powerful Nazi Germany was in the early years of WWII as well as the response each country had to Germany's actions. Using a spider map, students will reflect the major impacts of the German Blitzkrieg in the early war. They should follow the 5 Ws model to create and answer a “Who, What, When, Where, and Why” style of question and accompany their answer with a visual representation.
Possible Questions
- Who inspired the Blitzkrieg style of warfare?
- What was the German Blitzkrieg?
- When was the Blitzkrieg first used?
- Where was the German Blitzkrieg most effective?
- Why was the Blitzkrieg used?
Extended Activity
For this extended activity, students should present their spider maps to their peers with the goal of finding other peers that answered similar questions to the ones that they created and comparing their answers. Giving students a “KWL Chart” prior to this activity is helpful for them to reflect about what they “Know, Want to Know, and Learned” from this activity.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a 5W analysis of the German Blitzkrieg: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title box for each cell, type Who, What, When, Where and Why.
- In the descriptions, answer the question.
- Create an image for each cell with appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The student clearly, thoroughly, accurately chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. | The student chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. Some of the information is clear, thorough, and accurate. | The who, what, where, when, and why questions and answers are incomplete, confusing, or inaccurate. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the written information using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the written information, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the written information. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How Tos about Understanding the German Blitzkrieg
How to Differentiate Blitzkrieg Lessons for Diverse Learners
Adapt your Blitzkrieg lesson to meet the needs of all students by using varied instructional strategies. Scaffold questions, offer graphic organizers, and provide tiered reading materials to ensure everyone can access and engage with the content.
Use visuals to enhance student understanding
Incorporate maps, diagrams, and timeline graphics to help students visualize the sequence and impact of Blitzkrieg tactics. Visual aids make complex events clearer and more memorable for students at all levels.
Facilitate small group discussions with guiding prompts
Encourage students to work in groups and discuss each of the 5 Ws using structured questions. This approach supports collaboration and ensures all voices are heard while deepening understanding.
Check for understanding with quick formative assessments
Use exit tickets, short quizzes, or student reflections after the activity to identify misconceptions and adjust instruction as needed. Immediate feedback helps reinforce learning.
Connect Blitzkrieg concepts to modern events
Relate the idea of rapid, coordinated action to current events or familiar contexts. Making historical concepts relevant increases student engagement and retention.
Frequently Asked Questions about Understanding the German Blitzkrieg
What is the German Blitzkrieg and why was it important in World War II?
Blitzkrieg, which means “lightning war,” was a fast and powerful military strategy used by Nazi Germany in the early years of World War II. It was important because it allowed Germany to conquer large areas quickly by using surprise attacks, tanks, and air power, overwhelming their enemies before they could respond effectively.
How can I teach students about the German Blitzkrieg using the 5 Ws method?
To teach students about the German Blitzkrieg using the 5 Ws method, have them answer Who, What, When, Where, and Why questions about Blitzkrieg. Encourage them to create a spider map with visuals for each answer to help them organize and present their understanding.
What are some effective activities for students to learn about Blitzkrieg?
Effective activities include making a spider map using the 5 Ws, presenting answers to peers, and using a KWL chart (Know, Want to Know, Learned) to track learning. These activities promote engagement, comparison, and deeper understanding of Blitzkrieg's impact.
When and where was the German Blitzkrieg first used most effectively?
The German Blitzkrieg was first used effectively during the invasion of Poland in 1939 and later in the rapid conquest of France in 1940. These campaigns showed how quickly and decisively Germany could win battles using this strategy.
What is a spider map and how does it help students analyze historical events?
A spider map is a visual organizer that helps students break down complex topics, like the German Blitzkrieg, into key questions and answers. It encourages critical thinking and makes it easier to understand and compare important aspects of historical events.
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