Sixth Graders Bring History to Life with WWI Newscasts

Upper School History Teacher Sue Longenecker brought history to life by blending her love of theater and storytelling, transforming her sixth-grade students into wartime reporters for their World War I unit. Through this innovative approach, students didn’t just learn about history—they stepped into it, experiencing the era as if they were reporting from the front lines!

Each student was assigned a WWI battle to research and then worked in teams to produce their own historical newscast. Taking on roles such as soldiers, studio anchors, and field reporters, they scripted and performed what a news broadcast might have looked like if live reporting had existed during the war. Filming in front of a green screen, they later overlaid backgrounds of battlefields and news studios, transforming their classroom into a scene straight out of history.

The production process was highly collaborative—while some students acted as on-air reporters, others worked behind the scenes as stage crew, managing props, desks, and transitions between studio segments and battlefield reports. The students directed, filmed, and edited their footage using iMovie, developing both their storytelling and technical skills.

As they crafted their scripts, students reinforced their understanding of key historical details, gaining insight into the realities of war—from harsh battlefield conditions to the long-term effects on soldiers, including injuries and PTSD. The experience brought their research to life in a meaningful and engaging way.

“The students did an incredible job of transforming their research into a dynamic and creative project,” said Sue Longenecker. “Not only did they deepen their understanding of WWI battles, but they also worked together as a team and developed valuable digital storytelling skills.”

By merging history with technology and performance, this project gave students a hands-on, immersive way to connect with the past—one broadcast at a time.