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WW2 in Europe & the Battle of Britain
VE Day - end of the war in Europe

Research the events leading up to, and involved in, the end of the war. Learn about the D-Day landings, the role of the French Resistance including women in the Resistance. Learn about the surrender of countries, the Battle of Berlin and death of Hitler. Consider the Paris Peace Treaties of 1947 and make a peace dove as part of a class reflection. Finally, plan a street party in the style of those that took place on VE day.

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Session 1 The D-Day Landings

Session plan Download all files

Objectives

History

  • Continue to 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 (VE Day).

Design and Technology

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

Teaching and Activities

Research the events leading up to, and involved in, the D-Day landings. Understand the role that the French Resistance and espionage played in sabotaging German plans, researching the role of women in the Resistance (especially Nancy Wake, aka ‘The White Mouse’). Invent codenames and codes and hide them in everyday items (pens, soap, toothpaste tubes).

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To research the events leading up to, and involved in, the D-Day landings.
  • To invent codenames and codes and hide them in everyday items (e.g. pens, soap, toothpaste tubes).

Children will:

  • Have an understanding of the events leading up to, and involved in, the D-Day landings.
  • Understand the role the French Resistance and espionage played in sabotaging German plans, researching the role of women (especially Nancy Wake, aka ‘The White Mouse’)
  • Invent codenames and codes and hide them in everyday items (e.g. pens, soap, toothpaste tubes).

You Will Need

  • White paper
  • Scissors and glue
  • Small strips of thin paper

Session 2 Coming to an end

Session plan Download all files

Objectives

History

  • Continue to 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 (VE Day).

Geography

  • Locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe.

Teaching and Activities

Understand the events leading to the end of the war, the surrender of countries, the Battle of Berlin and death of Hitler. Consider the Paris Peace Treaties of 1947. Make a peace dove as part of a class reflection.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand the events leading to the end of the war, the surrender of countries, the Battle of Berlin and death of Hitler
  • To understand the concept of a treaty and consider the Paris Peace Treaties of 1947.
  • To make a peace dove as part of a class reflection.
  • To become familiar with the location of the surrendering countries and movements of the Allies involved in last part of WW2 by locating them on a map of 1945 Europe.

Children will:

  • Understand the events leading to the end of the war, the surrender of countries, the Battle of Berlin and death of Hitler.
  • Consider the Paris Peace Treaties of 1947 and make a peace dove as part of a class reflection.

You Will Need

  • 3 colours of modelling dough

Session 3 VE Day street party!

Session plan Download all files

Objectives

History

  • Continue to 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 (VE Day).

Teaching and Activities

Plan a street party in the style of those that took place on VE Day, using bunting, food from 1940s recipes, music and tea dancing. Invite older members of the community to join in.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To explore the excitement felt by those in British homes and streets when the end of the war was announced.

Children will:

  • Explore the excitement felt by those in British homes and streets when the end of the war was announced.
  • Plan and prepare a street party in the style of those organized for VE day, including bunting, music, food and tea dancing.
  • Invite older members of the community to join in with the celebrations at a street party.

You Will Need

  • Ingredients for the wartime recipes if making in school (see Organising A 1940s Tea Dance)
  • Card
  • Coloured paper
  • Hole puncher
  • Ribbon/string

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