The War To End War (WWI)
Author Visit/In-House Field Trip for Schools GRADES 5-12
Overview
- Dressed in period costume, Annette gives an engaging multimedia presentation.According to time available and appropriateness to grade level, she may:
Entertainingly explain the origins of the First World War in the complicated web of European alliances - Tell a vivid account of the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
- Bring to life the experiences of soldiers in the trenches.
- Show the impact of World War One on civilians in America and Britain with music, multimedia, audience participation, and readings from Don't Know Where, Don't Know When, the original novel of The Snipesville Chronicles, and One Way Or Another, the final volume in the series. She also shows how the War continues to affect our lives today, and how it is remembered, including a showstopping story that leaves her audience gasping!
- Connects with: Don't Know Where, Don't Know When (The Snipesville Chronicles, Book 1) and One Way or Another (The Snipesville Chronicles, Book 4)
- Sessions of this program may be combined in a single day with sessions of A Writer's Life, for a total of three sessions
Virtual Visits Available
Dr. Laing has a wonderfully engaging presentation! The students are hooked right from the start. Seeing their faces light up as they see real artifacts and realize how interesting history truly is, is phenomenal. The students even gasp and cheer. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Laing to other schools.
Jessica Zoeller
5th Grade Teacher / Camp Creek Elementary, Gwinnett County (metro Atlanta)
Our students were enthralled by The War to End War. I highly recommend Dr. Laing to any elementary or middle school looking to bring history and literacy to their students in a fun, entertaining way.
Cristina Dover
Media Specialist / Midway Middle School, GA
Annette is a wonderful storyteller who helps children to understand difficult and serious content, such as World War One. The combination of WWI artifacts and video presentation were an excellent complement, not to mention Annette reading from her own books. Thank you--it was awesome!
Teacher / King Springs Elementary, Cobb County, GA
Annette did an excellent job. The presentation was interesting and engaging. I would definitely recommend Annette's presentation to other schools.
Tiffany Jones
Assistant Principal / King Springs Elementary, Cobb County Schools, GA
Few Americans know much about World War I. Maybe because I'm a Brit, I'm fascinated by it. It's not only a subject I find interesting as a historian, but also one that I consider personal: I am the great-granddaughter and great-great-niece of young men who died in the trenches. The impact of WWI on British society is a theme of two of my books, Don't Know Where, Don't Know When, and of One Way or Another, the first and last books of The Snipesville Chronicles series.
As in my books, my primary concern isn't the battlefield (although I certainly will make this meaningful to your students). It's not the causes of the War, although I may touch on those, too. Rather, it's about two deeply divided societies, Britain and the United States, that entered into this cataclysm, and the massive changes that the war caused in both. World War I was a massive turning point in history. That's my most pressing concern, because it continues to reverberate in how we speak, how we dress, how we act, and how we think.
Dr. Laing's introduction to World War One was most impressive. My students were so engaged in the presentation. I don't think I have ever known them to be so captivated. She really brought history alive to the students. I would love to read her books aloud while teaching.
Gina H. Harrell
5th Grade Teacher / Liberty Elementary School, GA
The personal connections made the presentation so touching and memorable.
Selena Reynolds
10th Grade APUSH Teacher / Swainsboro High School, GA
Dr. Laing is engaging, knowledgeable, and student-centered. Her visual presentation draws students' minds and emotions in, leaving a lasting impact.
Kelly Greene
5th Grade Teacher / Liberty Elementary School, GA
Details
- Program Length: 90 minutes (after audience seated); Max. Three Sessions per Day
- Recommended Audience Ages: Grades 5-12
- Also Available via Zoom/Video. Program length may vary from in-person presentation.
- Recommended Audience Size: 60-80 For the best possible experience for the students, divide a single grade into three sessions for the day. This allows more students to participate as volunteers, a closer view of the artifacts, and the best rapport between Annette and the audience.
- Maximum Audience Size: 150
- Social Studies Curriculum Relevance: Connects to study of World War I (United States and/or Europe) Develops critical thinking skills and historical literacy, including in dealing with primary sources.
- May be combined in a single day with A Writer's Life, for a total of three sessions
- Cost: Please contact us. We have a holistic approach to pricing, and will want to know some details about your school. Be assured that prices are very reasonable!
Why Don't We Just Give the Price? Each school is different. We don't want to announce a rack rate and frighten you away if you have limited resources. There are discounts and alternatives to make Annette's programs accessible to every school, and many of our clients are Title I schools in rural areas. Asking questions doesn't commit you, and we want to hear from you!
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