Arriving at Dunkirk

Topics Year 2/3
This unit is part of World War 2: A Child's Eye View from the Home Front Dunkirk and the Little Ships

Objectives

History

  • Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of Britain, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
  • Study an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 – a significant turning point in British history.

Geography

  • Locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe.
  • Name and locate some counties and cities of the United Kingdom.

Design and Technology

  • Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose.

Lesson Planning

Consider what it would have been like for the soldiers and sailors of the Dunkirk evacuations; gain an understanding of the distance across the English Channel and the extent of the rescue efforts for all the small sailing vessels; add Dunkirk beach onto the Lego model and make little sailing vessels.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To consider what it would have been like to be a soldier rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk.
  • To research the distance across the English Channel and the extent of the rescue efforts for all the small sailing vessels.
  • To add Dunkirk beach onto the Lego model and make little sailing vessels using corks, cocktail sticks and paper.

Children will:

  • Consider what it would have been like for the soldiers and sailors of the Dunkirk evacuations.
  • Gain an understanding of the distance across the English Channel and the extent of the rescue efforts for all the small sailing vessels.
  • Add Dunkirk beach onto the Lego model and make little sailing vessels.

You Will Need

  • The Little Ships by Louise Borden
  • Lego
  • Trays
  • Cling film
  • Corks
  • Cocktail sticks
  • Card and pieces of balsa wood
  • Gym mats
  • Cones or skipping ropes
  • Metre sticks