In Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s novel The War that Saved My Life, readers meet Ada, a young girl with a clubfoot, during World War II. This historical fiction novel examines human strength and the transformative power of love and acceptance.
Ada and her brother, Jamie, are evacuated from London to the countryside to escape the war. There, Ada experiences a world beyond her abusive home for the first time. With the help of Susan Smith, their new caretaker, Ada learns to overcome her fears and physical limitations, finding strength she never knew she had.
Read The War that Saved My Life to discover Ada’s incredible journey of self-discovery and triumph against all odds.
The War that Saved My Life Teaching Activities
Book Unit Samples
Are you looking for a novel study to use with The War that Saved My Life? The download offers a glimpse into the study guide, complete with vocabulary exercises, comprehension questions, and a constructed response prompt for the initial reading selection. Included in the sample are:
Vocabulary Practice for Chapters 1-2
Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-2
Constructed Response Sample Question focusing on Ada’s Character Traits
Activity #2 Escape and Survive Board Game
The board game “Escape and Survive” is based on the novel The War that Saved My Life. This game helps students recall facts and analyze the text in the story. Players play the game by answering questions to earn rewards or face penalties.
Do you want to bring this game to your classroom? You can access the game board with playing cards and complete instructions in the blog post handout. The handout provides everything you need to set up and play the game, making it a hassle-free, fun-filled learning experience for your students.
Activity #3 Constructed Response Questions with Organizers
Check out these two constructed response questions that help students dive deeper into the characters and settings of The War That Saved My Life. Students will list the character traits of Ada. They will also compare Ada and Jamie’s lives in London versus the countryside.
The “Character Traits of Ada” question asks students to examine Ada’s growth as a character. They will analyze her actions, decisions, and relationships before and after she moves to the country to live with Susan.
The second question, “Ada and Jamie’s Lives in London vs. the Countryside,” prompts students to compare the siblings’ experiences, environment, and relationships in two contrasting settings. This activity highlights the differences between their life under Mam’s abusive control in London and their freedom with Susan in the countryside.
The blog post handout includes response charts for these questions and an answer key. These resources make it easier to implement meaningful discussions. They also help students voice their understanding of the story.
Activity #4 Virtual Museum Tour
National Army Museum – London in the Second World War: The Blitz (Virtual)
This virtual session explores historical artifacts and provides insights into how the Blitz affected London and its residents. It includes an introductory video, handling object demonstrations, and a virtual classroom session. Explore here.
Adding these activities into your study of The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley will make your novel study fun and meaningful. Activities such as determining Ada’s character traits and participating in virtual museum tours will help students better understand World War II.
Remember, the blog post handout includes tools that make teaching The War that Saved My Life easier. Download the handout today.
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Plus, exclusive digital versions of the blog post activities are included in the paid unit for added convenience. Check out the full unit on TPT.
