# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.headline
Primary Source History of the US Civil War

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Primary Source History of the US Civil War

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.headline
The US Civil War: A Chronology of a Divided Country

# data[].attributes.subject
The US Civil War: A Chronology of a Divided Country

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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Kids learn about the world's five great oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic

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Kids learn about the coral reef biome. Much of ocean life lives in this important aquatic ecosystem.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.headline
Trash Vortex: How Pollution is Choking the Oceans

# data[].attributes.subject
Trash Vortex: How Pollution is Choking the Oceans

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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Click on links in the article for more information on other space topics.

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The Solar System centers around the Sun and includes all the planets, asteroids, comets and other objects that orbit around the Sun. Kids learn about the Solar System.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.headline
Destined for Space: Our Story of Exploration

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Destined for Space: Our Story of Exploration

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.headline
Space Leftovers: A Book About Comets And Asteroids

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Space Leftovers: A Book About Comets And Asteroids

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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Science >> Earth Science for Kids

Weather - Hurricanes (Tropical Cyclones)

What is a hurricane?

A hurricane is a large rotating storm with high speed winds that forms over warm waters in tropical areas. Hurricanes have sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour and an area of low air pressure in the center called the eye.

Different Names for Hurricanes

The scientific name for a hurricane is a tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclones go by different names in different places. In North America and the Caribbean they are called "hurricanes", in the Indian Ocean they are called "cyclones", and in Southeast Asia they are called "typhoons."

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes form over the warm ocean water of the tropics. When warm moist air over the water rises, it is replaced by cooler air. The cooler air will then warm and start to rise. This cycle causes huge storm clouds to form. These storm clouds will begin to rotate with the spin of the Earth forming an organized system. If there is enough warm water, the cycle will continue and the storm clouds and wind speeds will grow causing a hurricane to form.

Parts of a Hurricane

Eye - At the center of the hurricane is the eye. The eye is an area of very low air pressure. There are generally no clouds in the eye and the wind is calm. Don't let this fool you, however, the most dangerous part of the storm is at the edge of the eye called the eye wall.

Eye wall - Around the outside of the eye is a wall made up of very heavy clouds. This is the most dangerous part of the hurricane and where the highest speed winds are. The winds at the eye wall can reach speeds of 155 miles per hour.

Rainbands - Hurricanes have large spirally bands of rain called rainbands. These bands can drop huge amounts of rainfall causing flooding when the hurricane hits land.

Diameter - Hurricanes can become huge storms. The diameter of the hurricane is measured from one side to the other. Hurricanes can span a diameter of over 600 miles.

Height - The storm clouds that power hurricanes can become very tall. A powerful hurricane can reach nine miles into the atmosphere.

The structure of a hurricane

Where do tropical cyclones occur?

Tropical cyclones occur over the ocean in areas near the equator. This is because there is plenty of warm water in these areas to allow the storms to form. There are seven major areas in the world that tend to produce tropical cyclones. See the map below.

Locations of tropical cyclones throughout the world

When do hurricanes occur?

Hurricanes that form in the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean occur between June 1st and November 30th each year. This is called hurricane season.

Why are hurricanes dangerous?

When hurricanes strike land they can cause huge amounts of damage. Most of the damage is caused by flooding and storm surge. Storm surge is when the ocean level rises at the coastline due to the power of the storm. Hurricanes also cause damage with high speed winds that can blow downtrees and damage homes. Many hurricanes can develop several small tornados as well.

How are they named?

Hurricanes in the Atlantic are named based on a list of names maintained by the World Meteorological Organization. The names go in alphabetical order and the storms are named as they appear. So the first storm of the year will always have a name that starts with the letter "A." There are six lists of names and each year a new list is used.

Categories

Tropical cyclones are categorized according to the speed of sustained winds.

Tropical Depression - 38 mph or less

Tropical Storm - 39 to 73 mph

Hurricane

Category 1 - 74 to 95 mph

Category 2 - 96 to 110 mph

Category 3 - 111 to 129 mph

Category 4 - 130 to 156 mph

Category 5 - 157 or higher mph

Interesting Facts about Hurricanes

Hurricanes rotate counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. This is due to the rotation of the Earth called the Coriolis effect.

The letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z are not used for the first letter when naming hurricanes.

The names are alternated between boy and girl names.

Weather forecasters draw a cone showing where they think the hurricane is most likely to travel.

You can always find out the latest information on hurricanes at the website of the National Hurricane Center which tracks and forecasts hurricanes.

Activities

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Earth Science Subjects

Science >> Earth Science for Kids

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Kids learn about hurricanes (Tropical Cyclones) including how they form, names, eye, eye wall, rainbands, locations, seasons, facts, and categories.

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We see clouds nearly everyday. They float in the sky above us and block out the Sun. Sometimes clouds are white and puffy. Sometimes they are dark and cover the entire sky. Different kinds of clouds can mean different kinds of weather. Meteorologists study the formation and make up of clouds to understand the weather better.

What are clouds made of?

Clouds are made up of tiny droplets or frozen crystals of water.

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Kids learn about clouds including how they form, levels, fun facts, and types of clouds such as cirrus, cumulus, and stratus.

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Tornadoes are one of the most violent and powerful types of weather. They consist of a very fast rotating column of air that usually forms a funnel shape. They can be very dangerous as their high speed winds can break apart buildings, knock down trees, and even toss cars into the air.

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Kids learn about tornadoes including how they form, characteristics, types including supercell and waterspout, categories, and fun facts.

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Kids learn more about the science of dangerous weather. Tornadoes, hurricanes, and thunderstorms.

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Kids learn about weather forcasting and meteorology including cold and warm fronts, high and low pressure systems, fun facts, and technology.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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Kids learn more about the science of the weather. Sunshine, rain, snow, cold, hot, and windy.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.headline
How Do Tornadoes Form and Other Weather Questions

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How Do Tornadoes Form and Other Weather Questions

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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It's Raining Fish and Other Cool Weather Facts

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It's Raining Fish and Other Cool Weather Facts

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Threatening Skies: Histories most dangerous weather

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Threatening Skies: Histories most dangerous weather

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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Supercharge reading growth for every learner with myON!
Be sure to check out our myON monthly reading calendars featuring great myON titles and other activities to keep students engaged in learning each month.

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Supercharge reading growth for every learner with myON! Be sure to check out our myON monthly reading calendars featuring great myON titles and other activities to keep students engaged in learning each month.

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Kids learn about water pollution and how it effects the environment and health. Study causes, pollutants, sources, and facts including acid rain.

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Kids learn about global warming and changes in the Earth's climate. What are some causes? Teach greenhouse gases and carbon footprint.

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Kids learn about land pollution and how it effects the environment and health. Study causes, pollutants, garbage, landfills, trash, and facts.

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Kids learn about air pollution and how it effects the environment and health. Study causes, pollutants, and facts including acid rain and smog.

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A sea otter carefully uses its paws to free itself from a plastic bag that's tangled loosely around its body. This sea otter isn't the only animal to have a dangerous run-in with litter: It's estimated that about half of all marine mammals have eaten or gotten trapped by plastic.

A LITTLE POLLUTION = BIG PROBLEMS

Plastic pollution is different from paper or food waste because it never fully decomposes, or breaks down into pieces that can be reused by nature. Instead, plastic often ends up in water, where it releases toxic chemicals and can be mistaken for food. In a study conducted by the journal Science, scientists estimate that 8.8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, threatening over 700 species of marine animals.

Plastic trash isn't the Earth's only pollution problem. Oil accidentally spilling into the sea, agriculture products like fertilizers and pesticides seeping into the soil, and even excess noise and light can pollute the environment.

For instance, the sounds made by ships mess with whale calls, and bright lights can confuse animals such as birds and newly hatched sea turtles.

CLEANING UP OUR ACT

Once released into the environment, pollution can affect wildlife habitats for years. It's easy to blame factories, but some of the mess comes from everyday human activities. For instance, car exhaust fumes and excess garbage can seriously harm Earth's health.

You can probably clean your room in a couple of hours. (At least we hope you can!) But you can't cram Earth's pollution problem into your closet. We all need to pitch in and clean up the planet. Look at it this way: Just like your room, it's always better to prevent the Earth from getting dirty in the first place. Check out these tips for cutting down on your own personal waste.

Recycle: The process of turning stuff that would otherwise be thrown away as trash into new products

Compost: Decaying material, like leftover food scraps, that adds nutrients to soil and helps plants grow

Decompose: The process of breaking down something into parts that can be reused by nature; for example, fallen leaves decompose to become soil.

Biodegradable: Something usually used by people that decomposes; for example, unlike a plastic spoon, a biodegradable spoon won't stay in the environment for thousands of years-it'll decompose.

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Find out how pollution from plastic, light, oil, and other trash affects Earth.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about World War I including the countries, leaders, alliances, major battles, causes, trench warfare, and timeline. The War to End All Wars was fought mostly in Europe between the Allies and the Central Powers. It was also called the Great War.

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National Geographic for Kids World War I

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National Geographic for Kids World War I

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On July 28th 1914 began the outbreak of the First World War, aka World War 1 or The Great War for Civilisation. Join us as we learn everything there is to know in our World War 1 facts ...

World War 1 facts: Why did it start?

A hundred years might seem like a very long time ago, but it isn't really. Your great-great grandparents were around then, and they would have lived through, and maybe even taken part in, this terrible conflict.

Lots of history books have been written on World War 1 facts and why it started. But it all boils down to the fact that Europe had split into two large families of countries. The Allies - the British Empire, France, Belgium, Russia and later, the USA - were in one family. And the Central Powers of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey were in the other. On 4 August 1914, Germany invaded Belgium, and so, standing by its promise to stick up for Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany. The world was at war...

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How long did World War 1 last?

When the First World War began that summer, most people thought it would be over by Christmas. Many believed that Britain was so powerful it could win very quickly. In fact, the First World War lasted four terrible years, not four months.

Life in the trenches in World War 1

By the winter of 1915, the opposing sides had both dug long ditches called trenches which faced each other, in some places just 30m apart! These lines of narrow trenches stretched from the Belgian coast to Switzerland, and were known as the Western Front. Over five million British soldiers spent time living in these muddy, miserable ditches, taking it in turns to be on the Front Line - the trench closest to the enemy.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable First World War primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

Day-to-day life there was smelly and grim. There were millions of giant rats, overflowing latrines (loos) and terrible lice infestations. Not to mention the dead bodies. Every so often, soldiers on the Front Line would be instructed to leave their trench and venture into dangerous No Man's Land (the area between the sides) to try to push back the enemy.

A new type of war

This war was very different from conflicts of the past. For the first time, powerful new weapons and vehicles were used - at sea, on land and in the air - resulting in many people being killed or wounded. In Britain, you could sometimes hear what sounded like thunder coming across the English Channel from Europe. In fact, it was the huge boom of big guns, called artillery, being fired on the Western Front. 75% of all men who died in World War 1 were killed by artillery.

The largest battle of the World War 1 - the Battle of the Somme - is known as one of the bloodiest battles in history. It was fought by the French and British against the Germans on both sides of the River Somme in France, and lasted for more than five months. Over a million men were killed or wounded, and it was the first time that a tank was used in combat.

Animals during World War 1

Both on the battlefield and back at home, some incredible creatures helped to transport soldiers and goods - and save lives.

Almost a million horses were involved in the war. Soldiers on horseback were known as the Cavalry and horses also pulled some of the gigantic guns, ambulances and supply wagons. Gas from horse droppings could even be used to power lamps!

British families gave their pet dogs to the army so they could carry messages in special tubes on their collars (see above). Dogs were fast, difficult to shoot at, and they also caught rats! Pet pigeons were drafted in to carry messages over long distances, often carrying news from the Front Line back to Britain - Germans trained hawks to kill any carrier pigeons they saw. Goldfish did their bit too - after gas attacks, the gas masks were washed and rinsed. And if the rinsing water killed a goldfish that was placed in it, that meant the masks still had poison on them!

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable War Horses: WWI primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

What was life like in Britain during World War 1?

Just because you weren't in the battle fields didn't mean you weren't in the danger zone. Back on the Home Front, Britain was under attack from all sides.

It was the first time in history that Britain had come under threat from the sky. Gigantic German airships, known as Zeppelins (below), carried out 52 bombing raids on Britain during the war - killing more than 500. People were terrified of them! To avoid Zeppelin attacks, no lights could be used after sunset and loud noises were banned, too. Large scale bombing raids on British cities were carried out during the day by German biplanes called Gothas.

There were threats from the sea, too. Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby were the first seaside towns to be shelled by the German navy. Battlecruisers, ships with huge guns, launched a surprise attack on 16 December 1914 - 137 people were killed and 592 injured that night alone.

But all these attacks on ordinary people only stirred up hatred against the enemy, encouraging more British men to volunteer and fight for their country against "The Beast". At the start of the war there were just 350,000 men in the British army. But by 1917, there were 3.5 million! Mind you, in 1916, conscription came in - a rule that said ALL healthy men aged 18 - 41 had to fight.

Women during World War 1

Women weren't allowed to join the army, but the war still completely changed their lives - in some ways, for the better!

Before the war, a woman's role was in the home. But with the men away at war, help was needed in the workplace - and so millions of women went to work in offices, factories, shops, transport and on farms. Many men were horrified by the idea of females working and, even worse, wearing trousers! But the women proved that they could do the work of men, and do it just as well. Without the women of Britain growing food and making weapons, the war could not have been won.

When the war was over and the soldiers came home, women were made to leave their new jobs and go back into the home. But not all of them wanted to do that anymore! Their experiences during the war eventually led to women getting more freedoms and rights - including the right to vote!

Children during World War 1

Did you know that Boy Scouts and Girl Guides had a vital role on the Home Front? Girl Guides would make basic medical equipment for wounded soldiers, like bandages, swabs and slings. They also worked growing vegetables and delivering milk. Boy Scouts collected eggs for injured troops, protected roads and railway lines, and delivered messages.

Children were even paid to collect conkers which could be turned into explosives! They also wrote letters to soldiers and helped to knit socks and scarves for the troops in the winter months. Some boys lied about their age and went off to fight. The youngest of these, Sidney Lewis, was just 12 years old when he joined the army. He was sent home at the age of 13 after fighting in the Battle of the Somme, one of the war's bloodiest battles.

Children were also used to carry messages for MI5, the British Secret Service. The Boy Scouts, who were MI5's first choice for this work, apparently found it hard to keep sensitive secrets, so Britain's agents turned to the Girl Guides, instead!

Believe it or not, Winnie The Pooh has his roots in World War 1 Britain. At the time, a young bear cub called Winnie was one of the most popular attractions at London Zoo. He was a mascot belonging to the Canadian Army, who had been left there for safekeeping. The bear was seen by author A. A. Milne's son Christopher Robin, who renamed his own toy bear Winnie - and it became the inspiration for his dad's book, Winnie The Pooh!

Armistice Day

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, World War 1 officially ended when an agreement (known as an armistice) was signed by Germany and the Allies. This date is known as Armistice Day, and is still commemorated each year when people wear paper poppies to remember those who fought and died in conflicts around the world - the pretty red flowers were the only things that grew on the bloody battlefields of Western Europe.

Sadly, by the time World War 1 was over, more than 18 million people had been killed worldwide. It was hoped it would be the war to end all wars. But this wasn't to be the case. Just 21 years later, World War 2 broke out.

Your connections to World War 1

What can you find out about your family's involvement in World War 1? Ask your grandparents whether their parents, aunties or uncles ever talked about life during this time. Do you have any postcards or photographs from the war? Perhaps there are campaign medals belonging to a relative at home? Write in and tell us about it, we'd love to hear your family stories!

What did you make of our World War 1 facts? Let us know by leaving us a comment, below!

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World War 1 facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Explore this fascinating part of British history in our World War 1 facts. Why did World War 1 start? What was life like in the trenches? How did it end?

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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Tecumseh: Getting To Know the Shawnee Chief Who Fought to Protect Native Lands

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Tecumseh: Getting To Know the Shawnee Chief Who Fought to Protect Native Lands

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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myON is here to help ensure your students can keep reading and learning even if schools close. To support you and your students, please see the learning and implementation resources available on our Renaissance at Home hub.

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Kids learn about playing defense in soccer. The defensive stance, containment, closing on the ball, and proper positioning.