Homework

[Caran]

Daughter rang me today. Problem with the 7 year old twins homework. They are doing the First World War, this is what she wanted to know.
Did I know of any relatives who fought in WW1
How old was he when he went in
What was his job before
What was his job after
Where did he live before
Where did he live after
Did he have any medals
Photos in uniform
The list went on and on.
My grandfather was in the war but I was only about 8 when he died. There are no relatives alive who can help. Daughter spent five hours on line trying to find out what she could but nothing.
If she couldn't find anything don't you think it's a bit hard for seven year olds?
She discovered a lot of mothers were complaining on Facebook so she went into school and explained to their teacher that it was not possible.
Teacher has now said it does not have to be a relative, they can pick anyone off the internet and investigate that way.
What do you think?

[yelenots]

I work in a school and they don't learn about WW1 until in year 6 (10/11yrs)

[Caran]

Daughter was googling all day, she tried to track my grandfather down, she googled various addresses but couldn't trace him. So they will concentrate on someone off the internet.

[emmie]

try military links when looking for those in both wars, they came up trumps when i was looking for a friend who's brother died in WW2. She didn't have a lot of info, they are based overseas and he died here, i found his details quite quickly.

[sherrardk]

All schools follow a different path. I have no problem with a 7 year old being expected to use google or learn about WW1, just a bit much expecting 7 year olds to have relatives around who can help them out. My great grandfather died at 99 years of age but I never spoke to him about the war and everyone else who might know someone who was alive has gone too.

[Caran]

Just phoned daughter. She has found someone and the twins did a bit of playing on PC earlier. They have started to get some facts about him. They have a week to finish the homework. She said thank you very much Daisy for your very kind offer.

[emmie]

if they are stuck this is a good a person to do an essay on, truly remarkable man, who died not that long ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Patch

[Caran]

He looks really interesting emmie, forwarded it.

[emmie]

i have read, studied and am very much interested in WW1, can't give you any valid reason, but it's quite a personal thing in a way, as mentioned family members got killed in WW1, and their histories are every bit as bad as you read. Many of the Pals units those friends who joined up together, got killed together, same for families, the Shallis family lost 4 sons, others lost more, truly tragic.

[nungate]

My grandfather was a drummer boy during the First War, and he lost two of his elder brothers I could supply a few anecdotes that he and my mother told me if you think it might help

[sherrardk]

My poor old great grandfather managed to get captured in both wars but was awarded the legion de honor just before he died.

[Caran]

Well done your great grandad sher.

[Caran]

You are a lovely lot on here with all your offers of help and advice. Many thanks to everyone.

[Peter Pedant]

No it is a standard exercise

the idea is for the child to ask grandparents and then just repeat the stories they are told ....

why not say your grandad was adjutant to winston churchill during his disastrous Gallipolli campaign ?

[Caran]

Because I do not lie to my grandchildren. I know nothing of my grandfathers history as I was about 8 when he died.

[EDDIE51]

PP The last person who actually fought in WW1 died more than a year ago , so even grandparents will not have 1st hand memories.