A wonderful way to end the evening, with a pajama storytime. Kids can wear comfortable clothes or even their pajamas while we read a story to them. Afterwards, children can play in the Early Learning Center or make a craft with Ms. Delilah and Ms. Suzy. Snack is provided.
Age Range: Kindergarten and above
Length: 1 hour
Number of Attendees: up to 15
Registration is required.
Materials
The picture book: A World War I and the Art o f Confusion by Chris Barton
Markers
Description of Program
During World War I, British and American ships were painted with bold colors and crazy patterns from bow to stern. Desperate to protect ships from German torpedo attacks, British lieutenant-commander Norman Wilkinson proposed what became known as dazzle. These stunning patterns and colors were meant to confuse the enemy about a ship's speed and direction. By the end of the war, more than four thousand ships had been painted with these mesmerizing designs. After children listen to the book, Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of Confusion by Chris Barton, children will create their own dazzle ships.
Instructions
At storytime talk to the children about World War I
World War I was a major conflict fought between 1914 and 1918. Other names for World War I include the First World War, WWI, the War to End All Wars, and the Great War.
Who fought in World War I?
World War I was fought between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers. The main members of the Allied Powers were France, Russia, and Britain. The United States also fought on the side of the Allies after 1917. The main members of the Central Powers were Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
Where was most of the fighting?
The majority of the fighting took place in Europe along two fronts: the western front and the eastern front. The western front was a long line of trenches that ran from the coast of Belgium to Switzerland. A lot of the fighting along this front took place in France and Belgium. The eastern front was between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria on one side and Russia and Romania on the other.
How did it start?
Although there were a number of causes for the war, the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the main catalyst for starting the war. After the assassination, Austria declared war on Serbia. Then Russia prepared to defend its ally Serbia. Next, Germany declared war on Russia to protect Austria. This caused France to declare war on Germany to protect its ally Russia. Germany invaded Belgium to get to France which caused Britain to declare war on Germany. This all happened in just a few days.
Major Battles
A lot of the war was fought using trench warfare along the western front. The armies hardly moved at all. They just bombed and shot at each other from across the trenches. Some of the major battles during the war included the First Battle of the Marne, Battle of the Somme, Battle of Tannenberg, Battle of Gallipoli, and the Battle of Verdun.
How did it end?
The fighting ended on November 11, 1918 when a general armistice was agreed to by both sides. The war officially ended between Germany and the Allies with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
Interesting Facts about World War IMore than 65 million men fought in the war.Dogs were used in the trenches to carry messages. A well-trained messenger dog was considered a very fast and reliable way to carry messages.It was the first major war where airplanes and tanks were used.Ninety percent of the 7.8 million soldiers from Austria-Hungary who fought in the war were either injured or killed.When the British first invented tanks they called them "landships."The terrorist group responsible for assassinating Archduke Ferdinand was called the Black Hand.Famed scientist Marie Curie helped to equip vans with x-ray machines that enabled French doctors to see bullets in wounded men. These vans were called "petites Curies", meaning "little Curies."
Source: Duckster: World War I
2. Show children the newspaper article from August 25, 1918. (printed and laminated)
3. Children make their own dazzle ships
4. Back at storytime rug, children share their creations.
Cost: $25.00
References:
Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources Dazzle Ships by Chris Barton (1).pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A2qd0iOrm0CbsE-BsLZWwen8xiZdmTwk/view
World War I. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_i/
Comments