Julie Stauffer

I'm not sure exactly what it is your ds is interested in, the different
countries, the different weapons, the effects of war?

National Geographic magazine is big at our house. The pictures are
wonderful and give birth to many questions about cultures, wars, prejudices,
etc..

My kids like museums and we always, always look at the weapons for long,
long periods of time (ds is 9). We really like small out of the way
museums. The docents usually take a particular interest in the children and
answer all of their questions.

We watch a lot of time period movies and during breaks often talk about
"world events" of that time. Last night, we were watching "The Bounty" and
the kids were amazed to learn that young boys often worked on the ships.

Is there a military base nearby that allows you to come in? Do they do
tours? When my brother was 9, he filled out a card saying he was interested
in learning about a career in the military and sent it in. To my parents
amazement, a recruiter called....obviously thinking Mike was 17 with poor
handwriting. They sent Mike all kinds of posters and pamphlets. He joined
the army right after high school and loved it. He still works for the
National Guard.

Are there any relatives that served in the military? My great uncle used to
tell us stories from World War II and let us see and touch his medals.

Julie

[email protected]

The Agincort scene in Kenneth Brannagh's Henry V might be of interest to him.

Maybe you could start back at the St. Crispin's day speech and paraphrase it
for him.

There are boys in that battle too, as runners and banner bearers, and they're
killed (back behind the lines, just as treacherous business), and the king
says "I was not angry since I came to France until this instant."

So it's got good kid-interest. And it was a real battle and it's
Shakespeare. So three for one.

One thing I've ordered for Christmas from Quality Paperback is "We Interrupt
This Broadcast," which is a book and CD of news flashes, original recordings,
and the texts and background info in the book. I haven't decided who to give
it to, so maybe my husband, who can share it with the boys. But maybe one of
the boys.

I'm thinking the main thing with a five year old is it needs to be really
brief without a big buildup.

There might be timelines online somewhere about technological advances in
warfare. And your child might have fun trying to put battles in order, as he
learns more about them. Which wars were photographed? Which had airplanes?
Tanks? Troop transport by something other than footmarch?

Sandra

Betsy

**One thing I've ordered for Christmas from Quality Paperback is "We
Interrupt
This Broadcast," which is a book and CD of news flashes, original
recordings,
and the texts and background info in the book. I haven't decided who to
give
it to, so maybe my husband, who can share it with the boys. But maybe
one of
the boys.**

We got something similar from the library a couple of years ago. We
ended up taking it up to grandma's and playing the ones she remembered
and getting her to talk about her memories.

Betsy

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/5/2002 1:10:27 PM Eastern Standard Time,
jnjstau@... writes:


> Is there a military base nearby that allows you to come in? Do they do
> tours?

Right now is not a good time to ask! <G>

~Kelly


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