World Book Day has become one of the highlights of the school calendar, so why not make it last a little longer? Here are some cross-curricular ideas for extending the day.
Year 5
If you’re studying: The Iron Man by Ted Hughes
Bring the concept of an iron man to life by taking your class on a trip to see Antony Gormley’s Another Place in Crosby, Liverpool. The sculpture exhibition places 100 cast iron figures in both the sea and the sand, across a three-kilometre stretch of coastline. Add a cross curricular element to the visit by incorporating Maths (each statue weighs 650 kilos) and Art.
If you’re studying: Stig of the Dump by Clive King
Immerse your class in the world of cavemen like Stig during a visit to Cheddar Gorge. There are a number of caves on site that were once inhabited by cavemen. In fact the oldest complete human skeleton ever found in Britain was discovered in Gough’s Cave and is thought to be 9,000 years old. There’s a Museum of Prehistory on site, too, and an interactive underground light and sound show that brings Stone Age history to life.
Year 6
If you’re studying: The Railway Children by E Nesbit
The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and the surrounding towns and villages were used extensively in the 1970 film version of The Railway Children and several of the railway’s steam locomotives also featured.
School workshops are available in the Ingrow Education Centre at the railway and can also cover topics like Science, Literature, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology.
If you’re studying: The Machine Gunners by Robert Westall
Let your class delve deeper into context of The Machine Gunners with a visit to the Battle of Britain Memorial at the White Cliffs. There’s a building at the site called The Wing, which houses The Scramble Experience, a hands-on attraction that uses audio-visual effects, a video wall and other special techniques to show something of what it was like for those involved in the battle. Tours and resources are available for schools.
Year 7
If you’re studying: Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Racing to School organises class visits to studs and race courses around the country so that pupils can learn more about the ways in which foals are raised, bred and trained to make them into race horses. Locations include Haydock, Chester and Newmarket.
If you’re studying: The Sword in the Stone by T H White
Get your pupils inspired by tales of King Arthur and his knights with a visit to The Great Hall in Winchester. According to legend, the Round Table which hangs on the wall of this hall is the table of legend. The hall offers UK schools custodian-led, curriculum based sessions encouraging skills in historical enquiry, communication and writing.
Year 8
If you’re studying: The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
Get your pupils up close to unusual and exotic plants like those from the novel at Birmingham Botanic Gardens. Some the species of plants on display here were on Earth during dinosaur times. Workshops are available for schools that link to everything from Science and History to Art.
If you’re studying: The Dam Busters by Paul Brickhill
Children can walk in the footsteps of the original Dam busters at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. There’s a heritage centre at the site where pupils can see 400 aircrafts relating to the famous air squadron. Tours are available for school groups.
Year 9
If you’re studying: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
In Hatchet, protagonist Brian has to learn to survive in a forest on his own with nothing but a hatchet. Give your pupils their own survival experience by booking a bush craft experience day with The Bushcraft Company. There are woodland centres at Cornbury Park, Hatfield Woods, Penshurst Place or Cholmondeley Castle. Visiting schools get to experience what it’s like to live and cook in the wild.
If you’re studying: Dracula by Bram Stoker
The harbour town of Whitby is said to have provided the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel. There are sites linked to the novel all over the town, including the Benedictine monastery Whitby Abbey, which is run by English Heritage.
