DLI Museum

Information for Key Stage 1 & 2 Teachers

Britain since 1930: A study of the impact of the Second World War or social and technological changes that have taken place since 1930, on the lives of men, women and children from different sections of society. QCA Unit 9 "What was it like for children in the second world war?"

Imagine if your class could: Discover what it's like to wear a genuine Air Raid Warden’s helmet Feel just how rough a British soldier’s khaki battledress is Learn how a baby’s gasmask worked Examine close-up an unexploded German incendiary bomb Plus a whole range of original WW2 Home Front & War Front objects

Children examining a baby’s gas mask during WW2 Detectives.

Would this help your class not only to understand what it was like to live during the Second World War but also to begin to appreciate the real impact this war had on the lives of ordinary people?

During a "WW2 Detectives" session in the DLI Museum & Durham Art Gallery’s education room, children learn for themselves as they handle, discuss, question, measure, select and record what they have discovered about a range of real WW2 artefacts. This is real historical enquiry.

During a session (lasting from 60 - 90 minutes), children work for about 15 minutes on 5 tables - each with a range of objects. All the objects can be safely handled and many can be worn by the children. This session is led by one of our Visitor Assistants. You could also support work on Remembrance Day by using our World War One handling collection and Gallery.

After a WW2 Detectives session, your class can then look around the museum & complete a worksheet based on the WW2 displays. This gallery session is also led by a Visitor Assistant.

We also offer teacher-led visits that only cost the price of admission (£1.35 per pupil).

Information for Key Stage 3 & 4 Teachers

Don't forget that Secondary Schools who are subscribers to Durham Learning Resources get their admission to the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery paid for by DLR - Schools only have to pay for the charge for an activity led by our Visitor Assistants.

We can support older students learning with a First World War Detectives session - complementing QCA Unit 18 "Hot War, Cold War: Why did the major twentieth century conflicts affect so many people?"

We have videos available to watch on your visit - particularly about The Somme, and the first use of tanks.

Handle genuine artefacts from WW1 including uniforms and equipment. The WW1 Detectives session takes a similar format to that of the WW2 session outlined above.

• Compare officers' and privates' uniforms and equipment.
• Compare Allied and German weapons.
• Feel how heavy a German sentry's armour plating was.
• Handle a hand grenade!

After a WW1 Detectives session, your class can then look around the museum and complete a worksheet based on the WW1 displays. This gallery session is also led by a Visitor Assistant.

Interested in bringing your class to the DLI Museum & Durham Art Gallery? Then see our booking information. A Hazard Identification Sheet is available to help you write your risk assessment.