In Year 3, our commemoration of VE Day involved a variety of engaging activities designed to enhance the children’s understanding of this significant historical occasion. The day started with the children creating bunting to decorate their classroom.
We then showed the class an old photograph of the VE Day celebrations in Cheltenham, which prompted discussions about the realities of life during the war, particularly the impact of rationing on children. The pupils learned how rationing affected daily life and how communities came together to celebrate despite such challenges. The concept of street parties on VE Day was discussed including how families were encouraged to use their rations creatively to prepare biscuits for children. After that, the children played a board game that featured photographs of various items from World War II. Through this interactive activity, they answered questions relating to these historical artefacts. To help our children’s connection to the children in the photograph, each child was given a shortbread biscuit to savor. This experience served as a poignant reminder of how children 80 years ago might have felt receiving such a delicacy Finally, we watched a live stream of Mr Dilly’s World of History VE Day 80 Special. All these activities have deepened our children’s understanding of this pivotal day in history.
