WWII Battles: Analyze with Storyboard That (2025)
https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/world-war-ii-1939-1941/investigation
Operation Barbarossa
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Lesson Plan Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Student Rubric
Lesson Plan Overview Accordion Arrow

Lesson Plan Overview


With so many countries involved in World War II, there were an incredible amount of pivotal battles. In this activity, students will be assigned one of the numerous battles of World War II and create a storyboard to summarize the causes of the battle, the events that transpired throughout the battle, and the outcomes.

It's helpful for students to be assigned a battle or to have them select battles as a class, in order to ensure that there are few duplicates. This way, students can share their research with each other digitally or present them to the class. As another option, students can create a poster instead of a frayer model. If this is the case, add some poster templates to the assignment and adjust the instructions accordingly!


Possible WWII Battles To Choose

  • Battle of Belgium
  • Polish Campaign
  • Battle of France
  • Winter War
  • Battle of Crete
  • Operation Sea Lion
  • Norwegian Campaign
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Juno Beach
  • Battle of Anzio
  • Invasion of Normandy
  • Battle of Stalingrad
  • Battle of Kursk
  • Battle of the Bulge

Extended Activity

Students that wish to engage in this extension activity will participate in a theoretical history assignment. Students will be required to complete an additional storyboard that argues why the losing side of their researched battle lost and re-create a strategy that they believe could have resulted in a victory. Students should be encouraged to research prior wars and battle tactics throughout history to incorporate into their arguments and battle plans. Students may present their arguments to the class and may invoke a respectful debate among other students in the analysis of the proposed plan of victory.


Template and Class Instructions Accordion Arrow

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 frayer model that examines a battle from WW2, focusing on what it was, why it happened, the outcomes, and the conditions/tactics.

  1. Click "Start Assignment".
  2. In the center of the Frayer model, identify the battle.
  3. In the title boxes, identify the elements of the battle you will examine.
  4. Write a summary for each in the description boxes.
  5. Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, items, or photos from Photos for Class.
  6. Save and exit when you're done.
Blank Frayer Model Template with Title and Description Boxes
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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-12

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Timelines


Student Rubric Accordion Arrow

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Timeline
Create a timeline of important events and people, and explain their significance. Make sure the dates are correct, and the Photos for Class pictures are historically accurate or significant.
Proficient
33 Points 		Emerging
25 Points 		Beginning
17 Points
Events and Dates
The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct.
Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct.
Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect.
Explanations/Descriptions
The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events.
The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events.
There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing.
English Conventions
There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics.
There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics.
There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics.


Lesson Plan Overview


With so many countries involved in World War II, there were an incredible amount of pivotal battles. In this activity, students will be assigned one of the numerous battles of World War II and create a storyboard to summarize the causes of the battle, the events that transpired throughout the battle, and the outcomes.

It's helpful for students to be assigned a battle or to have them select battles as a class, in order to ensure that there are few duplicates. This way, students can share their research with each other digitally or present them to the class. As another option, students can create a poster instead of a frayer model. If this is the case, add some poster templates to the assignment and adjust the instructions accordingly!


Possible WWII Battles To Choose

  • Battle of Belgium
  • Polish Campaign
  • Battle of France
  • Winter War
  • Battle of Crete
  • Operation Sea Lion
  • Norwegian Campaign
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Juno Beach
  • Battle of Anzio
  • Invasion of Normandy
  • Battle of Stalingrad
  • Battle of Kursk
  • Battle of the Bulge

Extended Activity

Students that wish to engage in this extension activity will participate in a theoretical history assignment. Students will be required to complete an additional storyboard that argues why the losing side of their researched battle lost and re-create a strategy that they believe could have resulted in a victory. Students should be encouraged to research prior wars and battle tactics throughout history to incorporate into their arguments and battle plans. Students may present their arguments to the class and may invoke a respectful debate among other students in the analysis of the proposed plan of victory.


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 frayer model that examines a battle from WW2, focusing on what it was, why it happened, the outcomes, and the conditions/tactics.

  1. Click "Start Assignment".
  2. In the center of the Frayer model, identify the battle.
  3. In the title boxes, identify the elements of the battle you will examine.
  4. Write a summary for each in the description boxes.
  5. Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, items, or photos from Photos for Class.
  6. Save and exit when you're done.
Blank Frayer Model Template with Title and Description Boxes
More options

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-12

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Timelines


Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Timeline
Create a timeline of important events and people, and explain their significance. Make sure the dates are correct, and the Photos for Class pictures are historically accurate or significant.
Proficient
33 Points 		Emerging
25 Points 		Beginning
17 Points
Events and Dates
The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct.
Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct.
Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect.
Explanations/Descriptions
The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events.
The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events.
There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing.
English Conventions
There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics.
There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics.
There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics.


How Tos about WW2 Battle or Operation Investigation

1

Organize a collaborative timeline of WWII battles with your class

Build a shared visual timeline of major WWII battles by assigning each student or group a different battle. This helps everyone see how events unfolded and connect the sequence of key moments in the war.

2

Assign each student or group a unique battle to research

Prevent overlapping topics by carefully distributing battles among students or groups. This ensures diverse research and presentations, giving everyone a broader view of WWII events.

3

Guide students to research and summarize their assigned battle

Encourage focused investigation by having students pinpoint the causes, main events, and outcomes of their battle. Summarizing findings helps develop critical thinking and synthesis skills.

4

Have students create and illustrate their battle’s timeline entry

Promote creativity by asking students to design a visual entry for their battle—including dates, key facts, and images. Visuals make the timeline engaging and memorable for the whole class.

5

Combine all entries into a class timeline and discuss connections

Foster collaborative learning by assembling student entries into a chronological display. Lead a discussion to identify patterns, turning points, and how each battle influenced the course of WWII.

Frequently Asked Questions about WW2 Battle or Operation Investigation

What is a simple way to teach World War II battles to middle or high school students?

Assigning each student or group a specific WW2 battle and having them create a storyboard or poster summarizing the causes, events, and outcomes helps students understand key conflicts in an engaging, visual way.

How can I help students compare different battles from World War II?

Have students research and present different battles, then facilitate a class discussion or digital sharing session where students compare causes, tactics, and outcomes of each conflict.

What are some engaging activities for teaching WW2 battles in the classroom?

Try activities like Frayer models, storyboards, poster presentations, or debates on battle strategies to make learning about WW2 battles interactive and memorable.

How can students analyze why a side lost a WW2 battle and suggest a better strategy?

Encourage students to research the losing side's tactics, identify mistakes, and propose new strategies by drawing on historical examples, then present and discuss their ideas with the class.

What should a WW2 battle storyboard or poster include?

A comprehensive WW2 battle project should include the name of the battle, causes, major events, outcomes, and key tactics or conditions, illustrated with images or drawings.




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