Students step into the role of a French Resistance operative during Nazi occupation, completing covert missions in a digital game before reflecting on the risks, choices, and strategies used by real resistance fighters.

The lesson begins with a short warm-up activity that introduces students to the challenges of resisting a powerful occupying force. Students then enter the Shadows of Resistance simulation, where they complete a series of missions inspired by real resistance strategies. Along the way, they decode messages, uncover hidden intelligence, examine forged documents, and sabotage German operations while trying to avoid raising suspicion.

Each mission requires students to think carefully about their actions. A wrong move can attract attention from the Gestapo, while careful decisions help the resistance network succeed.

The activity concludes with reflection questions that prompt students to think about the risks resistance fighters faced and the motivations that drove ordinary people to oppose Nazi rule.

What Students Will Learn 
How resistance networks operated under Nazi occupation
The strategies used by the French Resistance, including sabotage, coded communication, and forgery
The risks ordinary citizens faced when resisting authoritarian rule
How individual actions can influence larger historical events

What’s Included
Digital simulation game: Shadows of Resistance
Warm-up activity
Student reflection questions
Teacher guide with instructions 
Answer key

Grade Level: 6–10
Duration: 60–75 minutes
Format: Digital Game + Printable warm up and reflection questions.