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Students learn about World War II through a "hands-on" approach. The idea of a "steel pot" on your head or carrying a rifle all day in combat cannot be explained in a book. Feeling the weight of a rifle makes the history come alive.
During this "World War II Day" the entire community was invited to come. Students had the opportunity to meet some veterans of the war while exploring artifacts and asking questions.
Pictured is one of my favorite students. She is now an educator as well, I believe.
My philosophy is that kids need an emotional connection to a historic event in order to truly, enthusiastically learn. That is MY challenge (and I don't always succeed). In almost every other subject, kids are expected to take facts and DO SOMETHING with them, but in History, they simply listen and repeat facts...that's dry to ANYONE! Feel something about it....connect to it....FIND its relevance to YOU. And then DO something with it!!
By having this "show-and-tell" students (on their own) set aside their laptops and smart phones for just a second and start THINKING while they touch and smell and see.
Students learn about World War II from a "hands-on" approach while handling field gear and other artifacts from the war. Allowing students to touch sparks an interest in them that textbooks cannot.
A young man in casual clothing sits by a university sign, holding a phone, reflecting on his thoughts.
My high school student teaching team went on a field trip to the National Museum of the Pacific War. At back is my Australian Coast Watcher and Army Nurse. In front is my Combat Medic, Movie Star, early war Soldier, Filipina Guerrilla, Rosie the Riveter, WAC Lieutenant, Wendy the Welder, Japanese Soldier.
I have three other members that were unable to make the trip. They include a Singer with the USO (tours with Bob Hope on occasion) a Private with the 24th Infantry Division, and a Sergeant with the 38th Infantry Division.
I am trying to recruit another Japanese soldier, but they are hard to come by....even this one has his leggings wrapped over cowboy boots! That's Texas for ya!
Students of my World War II Teaching Team visit the Memorial Courtyard at the National Museum of the Pacific War and take time to honor the veterans that gave them freedom. Our W.A.C. Lieutenant places a flag at a wall of memorial plaques.
This high school student is wearing a replica Japanese Army helmet and talking on an authentic field phone to a friend.
A student handles artifacts from World War II and learns that gas masks, packs, and guns were not movie props during the war.
Students try on a World War II era gas mask. These are JUST KIDS, folks! As an educator, I was taking this photograph of innocent kids learning about WW II. I had to change the privacy setting because of the context in which people were "favoriting" this picture. C'mon! REALLY?!! I had no idea that such a sick sub-culture even existed until I saw what was happening to this photo.
Trying on a World War II helmet that has been restored by www.toppots.net/main.php?do=home&action=home
This high school student is roughly the height of an average Japanese soldier and thus learns that a Type 38 Arisaka with bayonet is taller than she is.
My World War II Teaching Team. These are high school students who have volunteered to help me display my collection of artifacts. I have an early war 31st Regiment Soldier, Rosie the riveter, Australian coast watcher, WAC Lieutenant, Nurse, Movie Star, Wendy the Welder, Japanese Soldier, 38th Infantry BAR gunner, Filipina Guerrilla, 503rd PIR Combat Medic, 24th Infantry Soldier.
Some of these kids even gave up part of their Spring Break to help develop this program.
This very talented high school student created this art from the WW II poster of "Rosie the Riveter" It was so good, I purchased it to add to my display of WW II artifacts and exhibit. The young lady works with all kinds of art materials and sings as well as plays musical instruments.
In actuality, this is not really "Rosie the Riveter." This image was never actually referred to as "Rosie" during the war. Only after the war did the name of Rosie the Riveter start being applied to this particular picture. The real "Rosie" was a character on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post and was of a dainty little young lady whose arms were drawn like "man arms." The U.S. "Rosie" was probably based upon a similar character from Canada.
People are often not aware of the fact that there was also a "Wendy the Welder."
Perhaps even more obscure was the line of informative cartoons by the character known as "Jenny on the Job" who showed women how to lift boxes, eat right, and get their beauty rest.
This high school student finds that cocking a 1919A4 Light Machine Gun took a stout pull. Helmet restored by www.toppots.net/main.php?do=home&action=home
A high school student gets up close and personal with a World War II weapon. The sight, feel, and smell of artifacts makes the learning experience come alive.
A high school student becomes enthusiastic while learning, hands-on, about World War II. Helmet restored by www.toppots.net/main.php?do=home&action=home
This is one of my students who is playing the role of a Filipina Guerrilla fighter and spy. She has a 1917 Enfield that she picked up in the jungle but prefers the bolo knife.
One of my student teaching team members plays the part of an infantryman with the 24th Division on Leyte in October of 1944.
A high school student reads about and then gets the feel of a 1919A4 Browning. Helmet restored by www.toppots.net/main.php?do=home&action=home
We were pleasantly surprised to have kindergarten students visit our World War II display at the high school.
"This is HEAVY!" is a comment often heard among high school students who put on a helmet. They cannot learn that from a book. Helmet restored by www.toppots.net/main.php?do=home&action=home
This high school student was part of my teaching team. She plays the role of a W.A.C. 2nd Lieutenant who instructs recruits in basic weapon functions. Her display shows the services of women in various branches of the military.
A student appreciates the past and is happy this is for show. Helmet restored by www.toppots.net/main.php?do=home&action=home
One of my teaching team members explains the importance of the K-Ration to students from another school.
Students explore an American Machine Gun position in their school. An extra MG barrel, tools, water bucket, ammo, and field phone make up the display.
A high school student learned about and presents information on Hollywood stars and the USO during World War II.
Rosie the Riveter (left) and Wendy the Welder (right) give a bandana to a student and teach her the "Rosie" pose.
This high school student is about the right age to have served during World War II with just such a weapon.
My teaching team: Soldiers and civilian workers combined forces to win the war. This exhibit was demonstrated at the high school alma mater of a Bataan Death March survivor, Tillman Rutledge, who recently passed. Tillman's surviving brother and sister were present as these students remembered his sacrifice and honored his memory by teaching students at this school about World War II.
Students learn about World War II through a "hands-on" approach. Feeling the weight of helmets and gear gives a new appreciation for history and for the people who made it.
A student poses for a picture while wearing a fully restored World War II helmet. Helmet restoration by www.toppots.net/main.php?do=home&action=home