On Friday 8th Of May, many people will be having stay at home street parties and decorating themselves and their homes in red, white and blue to represent the Union Jack.
Here are some activities and resources to help you to do the same if you’d like to participate.
At 9am on 8th May, The Queen will address the nation and there will be a live stream on BBC – which is the exact same time that her father, King George VI, spoke to the UK 75 years ago, on the actual VE Day.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4TrqYDyf4PMdLypxzyTwGDg/great-british-bunting
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/ve-day-75
https://wharfedale.mumbler.co.uk/ve-day-lockdown-party-ideas/
https://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/ve-day-celebrations-in-lockdown-540015
Topic
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48201749
Nursery/Reception – Explain that people in Britain celebrate today because it is a special day in history. What do we have in a party?
KS1/2 read and discuss information in age appropriate power point below.
- Create a poster filled with facts about VE day.
- Write your own fact file using subheadings and paragraphs.
- Role play the first ever VE day. What were you thinking, feeling etc?
- Record yourself pretending to be a news anchor telling Britain the news.
- Write questions about VE day and then quiz your family and friends.
- Research your family tree, are you related to anyone who served in the war? Find out information about them.
- history-ks1-ve-day-powerpoint
- history-ks2-ve-day-information-powerpoint
- history-ve-day-powerpoint-with-quiz
Maths
Measuring
Alongside your family, why not use your measuring skills and get active in the kitchen?
Morse Code – https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/quizzes/bp-morse-code-adventure
Morse code is a communication system that represents the alphabet and numbers with a series of dots, dashes or a combination of both.
Can you write a secret coded message for your family to crack?
Phonetic Alphabet
The phonetic alphabet that was used in RAF transmissions during the war. Learn to spell your name using the phonetic alphabet e.g.
Ted = Tango Echo Delta
English
Nursery/reception – have a party with your toys. Discuss what a party needs. Write a simple invitation to someone in your home to join you.
KS1/2 – read through age appropriate power point for information.
- Write a diary entry as if you were at the first ever VE day. ]
- Write a message to the Royal Legion https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/march-poppy-press/leave-your-ve-day-message
- Use the Fact cards to make a mind map of everything that makes VE Day so special to people.
- english-ve-day-display-fact-cards
- english-ve-day-diary-writing-template
- english-ve-day-diary-activity-sheet
- english-ve-day-75th-anniversary-information-powerpoint
Art
Make, Do and Mend – During WW2, there was a shortage of materials to make clothes. People were urged to “Make, do and mend”. Do you have any clothes or accessories that you could ‘upcycle’ into new clothing or something completely different to give it another purpose and a new lease of life?
Design and make a Veteran’s medal using the ideas below.
Create and colour a tea cup design
Music
Try and learn the Horrible Histories VE Day song and perform it to your family.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/watch/horrible-histories-songs-ve-day-song
Create your own motivational song. Listen to some of the following clips for inspiration.
Wartime song lyrics – http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/war/songs.htm
Run, rabbit, run! – http://www.viewpure.com/0uWL1O9r_mI?start=0&end=0
Long way to Tipperary/ Pack up your troubles – http://www.viewpure.com/FsynSgeo_Uo?start=0&end=0
We’ll meet again – http://www.viewpure.com/cHcunREYzNY?start=0&end=0
PE – Dance
Why not practise some dance moves from during the war?
The Lindy Hop-. https://safeyoutube.net/w/cXI7
Charleston – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2IiIenn7qo
Lambeth Walk – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdSvLV-EgSA
