This half term Year 6 pupils have been learning all about World War 1 as a cross-curricular theme. They have been investigating trench warfare in History, discussing communication during Outdoor Learning and putting together mini performances in music class to showcase a medley of recruitment songs.
Year 6 also enjoyed a performance from 'Bert' a WW1 soldier. The pupils were transported back in time to 1915 and went through the process of ‘signing up’ to go to war against the Germans, for the British Army.
The Courtyard Studio rang out with “Sir, yes Sir!” as the pupils ‘passed’ the medical examination, were put through their paces, taught to march, and learned how to shoulder arms. Finally, they were off to France and the trenches!
The pupils thoroughly enjoyed enriching their understanding of WW1, as they are deep into their reading of “War Horse”, and learning, from a horse’s point of view, what life was like in the trenches.
There were moments of reflection too, as ‘Bert’ told of friends left to lie where they fell, bodies never being identified and officers being targeted because of their “fancy” jackets, so easy pickings for the enemy.
Here’s what other WW1 activities Year 6 have experienced -
History
The Year 6 pupils have been investigating trench warfare in their History lessons, as they re-enacted the Battle of the Somme. They discussed why it was so difficult for WW1 soldiers to break through the trench defences and why so many lives were lost as a result of this strategy. Their homework was to reflect further and suggest an alternative approach... Mrs West loved reading about their ideas!
Music
In Music they looked at the importance of song and how singing helped to keep spirits alive, both on the battlefield and back home.
Working in groups, pupils put together mini-performances in class to showcase a medley of recruitment songs, as well as their own marching rhythms (performed on snare drum) and bugle calls!
Outdoor Learning
The Year 6’s thought hard about different ways that soldiers could have communicated in World War 1. They developed their own semaphore flags, field telephones and came up with up other creative ideas to get messages along the trenches and across no-man’s land.
