Anne Frank Activity - Radio Lesson, Churchill Speech, and Stalingrad Broadcast
This Anne Frank activity gives students a meaningful way to explore the importance of radio during World War II while connecting directly to key moments in the diary. After learning about the important role of radio in Anne’s world, students listen to and analyze Winston Churchill's speech, The End of the Beginning, heard by Anne over the radio. Then, they use a nonfiction article about the Battle of Stalingrad to write and perform their own radio broadcast. With a presentation, structured organizers, and ready-to-use templates, this Anne Frank activity and radio broadcast lesson has everything you need to run an engaging, no-prep lesson that deepens historical understanding and strengthens informational writing skills.
This is included in a unit plan:
→ Anne Frank The Diary of a Young Girl Unit Plan
➡️ Anne Frank Radio Broadcast Presentation:This 14-slide presentation introduces students to the role of radio during World War II and guides them through the entire lesson from start to finish. The slides explain the power of radio during this era, including its role as a source of information and news, how it shaped public perception, its emotional impact, and how it served as a unifying force. The presentation also explores the importance and symbolism of the radio in the annex and walks students through each activity in the lesson to keep everything running smoothly.
➡️ Winston Churchill Speech Analysis Questions and Answer Key: In a November 1942 diary entry, Anne Frank mentions Churchill’s well-known wartime speech. Students listen to his broadcast, The End of the Beginning, and respond to focused comprehension and analysis questions that help them understand its key ideas. The included answer key makes reviewing student work quick and easy.
➡️ Nonfiction Article on the Battle of Stalingrad: In her early November 1942 diary entries, Anne references the ongoing fighting at Stalingrad as she follows the progress of the war. Students read this clear, student-friendly article to build background knowledge about the Battle of Stalingrad and its significance in World War II. The article provides the essential context they need to confidently explain the event in their own radio broadcast script.
➡️ Radio Broadcast Planning Page: This organizer helps students use what they learned in the nonfiction article to prepare their own radio broadcast on the Battle of Stalingrad, modeled after Churchill’s speech. It guides them in outlining key events, deciding on tone and structure, and mapping out how to present the information as a radio reporter.
➡️ Radio Broadcast Writing Template: This eye-catching, ready-to-use template is where students draft their Stalingrad radio broadcast. The clean layout gives them plenty of space to structure their script and record the key points they want to include.
How to Use This Anne Frank Radio Broadcast Lesson:
- Use the presentation to introduce the role of radio during World War II, build background knowledge, and guide students into listening to Churchill’s speech.
- Play The End of the Beginning and have students complete the analysis questions that follow. Review responses with the answer key.
- Hand out the Battle of Stalingrad article so students can read and build the historical context needed for their own broadcast.
- Have students use the planning page to outline their script and organize key details for their radio broadcast.
- Guide them in drafting their final radio broadcast using the writing template, and close by having them perform or record their finished script.
If you like this, you'll love this resource:
→ A Year of English Bell Ringers
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