Students parachuted, blasted and played their way through an action-packed History Day at Garden International School (GIS).
Students from Years 7 to 9 were arranged in small groups and undertook a range of activities connected to World War II. Each group did at least seven of the activities, which were led by both GIS staff and Prefects.
Students work hard to make ‘gas masks’.
Students were able to make, develop and launch lots of water rockets! The most effective water rocket was constructed by Cobra House and it went well over 100 metres.
The other activities included: Make, Do and Mend – making wearable dresses from old T-shirts. There will soon be a “fashion show†in a Secondary assembly where their efforts will be seen on the catwalk; an espionage/cracking the code activity, making a model air raid shelter and gas mask, making cartoon caricatures of four war time leaders and making and eating a meal made from rationed materials.
Parachutes were made – and then tested from the top of the school.
Students also created identity cards, made a government-style video about what to do in an air raid, carried out an on-line investigation on the Home Front using activehistory.co.uk, watched an episode of British television comedies Dad’s Army and Allo Allo, designed a propaganda poster and wrote some World War II poetry.
There was also time for some to compose and perform music with the sounds of the Blitz – bombs dropping, explosions, fire engine bells, planes and more while others sang WW2 songs and constructed parachutes.
‘Are you sure this will fly?’ GIS students measure up their chances.
On the school field, the rocket launcher is prepared.
‘I think this needs more tape’ – a GIS student makes plans for a rocket.
Bombs away! GIS staff and students watch as another rocket goes skywards.
