World War 2

Humphs Histories School Workshop

We can visit your school in: East Midlands, West Midlands, London & South East, South West, North East, North West, Yorkshire, Wales

Why book 'World War 2' with Humphs Histories

I offer bespoke history workshops on the following eras for Key Stages 1 and 2

The Egyptians (3100 BC - 30 BC)
The Greeks (776 BC - 323 BC)
Roman Empire in Britannia (31 BC - 476 AD)
The Anglo-Saxons & Vikings (410 AD - 1066 AD)
World War 1 (1914 AD - 1918 AD)
World War 2 (1939 AD - 1945 SD)

All the workshops are aligned to the National curriculum, supporting schools in providing a broad and balanced curriculum to all pupils.

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments

What activities are available during this educational workshop?

The workshop day will include such activities as Reacting to the Air Raid Siren, the human air raid shelter, taping up the windows, filling the sand bags, painting the rifle, what will the evacuee take away, marching drill, who went where game, the games children played, sing a long, rationing maths lesson, The WW2 quiz

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Curriculum topics available: Team building, Politics and parliament, Democracy.

During this workshop certain activities will require team working to achieve an end goal. WW2 cannot be explored without looking at the politics that surround it. The underline message is about the fight for freedom and democracy.

Curriculum topics available: Measurement, Statistics.

The workshop will contain a mini maths lesson for the children around rationing. They will be provided with key information to what people were allowed to spend in regards to rationing vouchers then presented with some calculations to complete emphasising how hard times were.

Through out the day the children will be taken on a historical journey by the workshop leader who will be in dramatical character. There will also be times for the children themselves to get involved using drama as a medium.

Curriculum topics available: Singing.

At the end of the workshop if time permits the children will experience a taste of WW2 songs that were sung to keep the spirits high and to entertain each other. A sing a long will be encouraged enabling the children to taste the sort of songs that were sung.

Curriculum topics available: Painting.

During the workshop the children will receive a cut out of the Lee Enfield rifle that they will paint on the one side replicating the one on show. This will be used later in the marching drill. As they get to keep them a follow up lesson can be used by the teacher to paint the other side. We always recommend the other side being painted following the 'remembrance theme'.

Curriculum topics available: Women in wartime, How and why the War started, Air Raids Blitz and Battle of Britain, Rationing, Evacuation, War and the British Empire, War Propaganda, The Home Front, D Day Landings and VE Day.

This workshop looks at the way WW2 impacted on the life of the British people and the Home Front. A back ground to why and how it started and how it ended. There are various activities during the day that keep the children engaged which will enhance their learning. The workshop encourages the children to participate as much as possible.

The topics looked at are;
How and why the war started
The Air Raids
Evacuees
Women at war
Rationing food and clothes
Who went to fight - who didn't
The games children played
Joining the army
The Soldier and what he carried
Marching drill
Personal reflection, stories and artefacts
Sing a long
Remembrance day and why it's important to remember

Curriculum topics available: Economic activity and trade.

The workshop will include looking at the countries from around the world involved identifying the allies and axis.

This subject is covered in relation to modern archaeology, things to look for when out with their families, signs of WW2 that are still around us today.

What size groups do you cater for?

The workshop day can be designed to cater for up to 30, 60 or 90 children (3 classes). Ideally the smaller the group the more activities the children will be able to partake in and also the more information to be shared.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Where ever possible we always try to cater for all children, we trust the school to supervise where they think supervision is required.

Anything else?

Although the workshop comes with a template, it is very flexible and can be adapted to fit in with the school and its needs and time restraints.
Ideally the workshop will require use of the main hall for some if not all of the day. When the weather permits some activities can take place outside.
A session involving painting will take place during this workshop, this can take place in the classrooms.
The children are encouraged to come dressed in costume for the day.

Who are Humphs Histories?

I believe that learning should be fun and strive to combine these two factors within the workshop session together with my main passions, love of history and theatre. There is nothing more rewarding than the passing of knowledge on to young people who are really enjoying themselves and learning at the same time.

I always aim to deliver a high quality of education.

In addition to my History degree I have been involved in the amateur theatre world all of my life, both on and off stage. I currently direct local musical and pantomime societies and incorporate this skill within ‘Humph’s Histories’ by ensuring plenty of interaction with the young people.

Reviews from Schools..

★★★★★
"“Humph's Histories is a must for any school. You get bespoke curriculum planning- unique to your school and setting. The day was interactive, bringing History to life. The children loved learning about life in a different historical time and have retained knowledge to apply to their follow up work. I highly recommend Humph's Histories to any school if you want to engage pupils in History. High quality education at a very reasonable price! We can't wait for our next workshop!” Headteacher"

Kings Primary School, Birmingham.