The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has launched a new education resource, which aims to help teachers engage students during the First World War Centenary.
The CWGC maintains the graves of 1.7 million Commonwealth men and women who died during the First and Second World Wars. It operates in over 23,000 locations in 153 countries.
The new ‘Virtual Cemetery’ website was launched at the CWGC’s education show (20th-22nd March 2014).
The ‘Virtual Cemetery’ video resources explain various aspects of the CWGC’s work
Through videos and photographs, the website provides explanations about how and why the Imperial War Graves Commission was established; how cemeteries and memorials are maintained; and the people the Commission commemorates.
A particular aspect of the website is its focus on inclusivity; the diversity of faiths, religions and nationalities remembered at CWGC sites.
The ‘Virtual Cemetery’ has been designed to provoke discussion amongst Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 pupils studying Citizenship, History and Religious Studies – but may prove a useful basis for provoking discussion amongst older children as well.
The website explains the history and work of the CWGC
An area of the site for teachers provides ideas for lesson starters, classroom activities and curriculum notes.
Glenn Hearnden, the CWGC’s Education Manager, said that the aim was to create “a powerful, but easy-to-use resource for teachers, that engages their pupils in the relevance of the CWGC and the importance of the work we do to remember those Commonwealth servicemen and women who died in the war”.
To visit the resource, click here.
Source: Commonwealth War Graves press release
Date of press release publication: 20/03/2014
Images courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News