LKS2 Topic: WW2: A Child’s Eye View from the Home Front Block B: Dunkirk and the Little Ships
Learn about the Dunkirk evacuation, inspired by the story of ‘The Little Ships’ by Louise Borden. Learn
what it means to be heroic and finally film a small world Dunkirk rescue, using the model and vessels
made over these sessions, and share the films with an audience of family members.
Block B: World War 2
Dunkirk and the Little
Ships
[3 sessions]
Main outcome: History
Other outcomes: Geography, D&T and Computing
By the end of this block you
will have achieved the
following outcomes:

Session 1: History,
Geography and D&T
Calling all fishermen!
Understand some of the
events leading up to
Dunkirk, why there was a
need to evacuate soldiers
and the role the little ships
of Britain played in the
evacuations; make an
English harbour out of
construction blocks.
Session 2: History,
Geography and D&T
Arriving at Dunkirk
Consider what it would have
been like for the soldiers and
sailors of the Dunkirk
evacuations; gain an
understanding of the
distance across the English
Channel and the extent of
the rescue efforts for all the
small sailing vessels; add
Dunkirk beach onto the Lego
model and make little sailing
vessels.
Continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British,
local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they
study.
 Study an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological
knowledge beyond 1066 – a significant turning point in British history (Dunkirk).
 Locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe.
 Name and locate some counties and cities of the United Kingdom.
 Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional,
appealing products that are fit for purpose.
 Select, use and combine a variety of software or a range of digital devices to
accomplish given goals.
Children will:
 Understand some of the events leading up to Dunkirk, why there was a need to
evacuate soldiers and the role the little ships of Britain played in the evacuations.
 Make an English harbour out of construction blocks.
 Begin to become familiar with the location of Dunkirk.
Children will:
 Consider what it would have been like for the soldiers and sailors of the Dunkirk
evacuations.
 Gain an understanding of the distance across the English Channel and the extent of the
rescue efforts for all the small sailing vessels.
 Add Dunkirk beach onto the Lego model and make little sailing vessels.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
LKS2 Topic: WW2: A Child’s Eye View from the Home Front Block B: Dunkirk and the Little Ships
Session 3: History and
Computing
Bringing Home the Soldiers
Imagine how the fishermen
and their families would
have felt to have been part
of the Dunkirk evacuations.
Consider what it means to
be heroic; film a small world
Dunkirk rescue, using the
model and vessels.
Children will:
 Imagine how the fishermen and their families would have felt to have been part of the
Dunkirk evacuations.
 Consider what it means to be heroic.
 Film a small world Dunkirk rescue, using the model and vessels.
Resources
Session 1
Provided: Operation Dynamo resource; A reading and drama about the Battle of Dunkirk and the
evacuation; Making a model of the evacuation – part one.
You will need: ‘The Little Ships – A Story of the Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk’ by Louise Borden; Lego;
Trays; Cling film.
Session 2
Provided: Measuring Dover to Dunkirk; Make a model Dunkirk evacuation part 2; How to make little
ships for the model.
You will need: ‘The Little Ships – A Story of the Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk’ by Louise Borden; Lego;
Trays; Cling film; Corks; Cocktail sticks; Card and pieces of balsa wood; Gym mats; Cones or skipping
ropes; Metre sticks.
Session 3
Provided: Welcoming home the heroes!
You will need: ‘The Little Ships – A Story of the Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk’ by Louise Borden; Lego
model (with water and little ships); Videoing equipment; Rock buns or shortbread.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.