The life of children maturing in wartime Britain was a lot more simple and easy and self-sufficient than that of today’s young generation.
The stark contrasts are felt by Year 6 pupils at Upton Junior School in Broadstairs inside of a series of hands-on workshops to get started on their World War Two topic designed to run until the end of your Summer term.
A banking center of artefacts and memorabilia through the crucial period in Britain’s history transformed a classroom as children stepped back in its history, guided by ‘ARP (Air Raid Patrol) warden’ Peter O’Sullivan completely civil defence uniform that includes tin safety helmet, whistle and Emergency first aid kit.
In a stark reminder of yesteryear, many pupils dressed as evacuees with name and info tags on the clothes, clutching their favourite toys, belongings, and gas mask replicas they provided from card to complete their wartime outfits.
The wartime classroom walls were draped with patriotic flags and posters urging everyone to back up the war effort, while pupils explored numerous different wartime experiences.
They tried their skills at cracking encrypted messages using Caesar code wheels and brass rubbings.
A kitchen area taught them about how exactly scarce food is in the war many they learnt about rationing supplies using scales and weights to divide out meagre portions from scarce foodstuffs. Tins and packets originating from a bygone era helped boost the realism.
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A number of simple yet ingenious wooden toys, old comics and books were an incredible contrast to computer graphic games and films on mobile phones and computer tablets. The communication theme was further underlined as pupils handled Bakelite candlestick phones, box cameras and long distance scopes.
Retired primary school teacher Mr O’Sullivan curates case in her desire for Last century history.
He believes it is vital for the children right now to experience somewhat taste with the items life was like for young children and families in Second world war.
He said: “There is certainly one important lesson that comes from getting really active in the wartime experience C while times were desperate, personal belongings were few and food was scarce, community spirit was strong and supporting one was vital. Which is just as important today.”
Head of Year 6 Athanasia Papa-Adams said: “These sessions are inspiring and engaging, and Mr O’Sullivan produces the perfect scenario to get our pupils into really thinking deeply concerning their World War 2 topic work that might be their focus to your coming weeks.”
Report Pete Barnett
