Materials

• One 5" x 8" index card for each student (or five 3" x 5" index cards for each student, with holes punched in left corner of cards)
• Colored pencils and/or markers
• Overhead or electronic presentation with notes
• Text or other printed resources and/or Internet access
• Video clips of World War I figures
• Preferred teacher resources

Instructional Activities

1. Administer the quiz on the 1914 Europe map and M.A.N.I.A.C.S. mnemonic.
   
   
2. Pass out colored pencils or markers and one 5" x 8" index card for each student (or five 3" x 5" index cards each).
   
   
3. Introduce the following five important World War I figures: Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Wilhelm II, Tsar Nicolas II, Woodrow Wilson, and Vladimir Lenin. Using the 5" x 8"index card, direct students to list all five names on the front. On the back have them write the teacher’s notes about each person (country, position, goal, importance).
   
   An alternative strategy is “Biography Cards.” To use this method, give five 3" x 5" cards to each student, and have each card serve one historical figure. On the front, have students write the name, add pictures, colored flags, and any other symbols desired (e.g., perhaps guns and other weapons to represent the militarism of Kaiser Wilhelm II). On the back, have them place biographical information such as country, position, goals, and importance of the figure to World War I. Students can use either information provided directly by the teacher or their own resources such as textbooks or Internet sites to find needed answers.
   
   
4. If times permits, show video clips about some or all of the historical figures. Have students identify new information from the video and add it to their cards, if appropriate.
   
   
5. Direct students to study World War I figures or assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity