Put That Light Out! Workbook & DVD / Video

Subject: History
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 14-16
Order Number: 7093

This video tells the story of life in England before and during the start of, the Second World War, with first hand accounts of those who lived through it and original Movietone News clips showing the key political figures and the Nation's efforts to organise defence against invasion.

People tell of their fears about how to endure bomb raids, learning how to wear gas masks, coping with fires and the pain brought about by the separation of families through evacuation. News clips try to show how this was all managed in an orderly fashion.

The bombing on London and Coventry and the work of the volunteer fire fighters, air raid wardens and civil defence workers is also featured. First hand accounts are juxtaposed with newsreel commentary, focussing on the heroism and fortitude of the people in contrast to the evil tactics of the enemy.

This video provides relevant and unique source material for Key Stage 3 and is also relevant to Key Stage 2. People who lived through the period give a highly personalised account of their experiences, in contrast the Movietone mix of propaganda and information provide an interesting insight into the authorities attempts to both to educate and reassure people.

For the History teacher this video is useful on two levels. It can be used to show the period through the eyes of those who lived through it, thus enriching pupils' understanding. However, at another level it provides unique primary evidence of both private and public perspectives on the same events, providing an excellent classroom resource for the analysis of source material at Key Stage 4 and above.