“Give me a hand!” History Skits 1942-1945: Episodes from World War II

“Give me a hand!” stands out because it’s not about World War II battles and strategies. Instead, each story-skit focuses on true events of compassion, friendship, and survival.

• How did an Oregon farmer help Japanese internees?
• Who inspired a wounded soldier to live - and how does the field of audiology tie in with that?
• Where did an Italian “enemy alien” fall in love?
• When did a German POW realize that enemies can be friends?
• How did two French POWs in Germany help five German women escape from the Russian Army?

USE: These 10 skits can be used as reader's theatre by history teachers to introduce topics such as how the British economy kept afloat, to use as steppingstones for additional research, or to sum up a topic.

English teachers use the skits as literature.

Drama and Music teachers perform the skits as a set for a drama event or combined with music from that era for a performance. They are perfect to use for a Veterans Day program or for educational programs connected with World War II museums.

Students will understand issues with clarity and emotionally connect with people - people who didn't end up in history books but whose actions shaped the times.

BACKGROUND INFO: Each story-skit comes with substantial background information on the event and the characters. You will also find four pages of fabulous teaching ideas for history, English, drama, and music teachers.

I'm grateful to the veterans who shared their stories and to the High Desert Museum in Oregon for asking me to write them.

Grades 8-12, adults

Find print copies on Amazon, the Wright Museum of World War II, or Exodus Books.

Teachers are saying...

✎“I highly recommend this book for use in the classroom. These story-scenes are particularly useful with group work. … The stories gave students the freedom to speak about issues from the point of view of the character they played, and that in turn, helped them relate to real world scenarios. I have used several resources by Ms. Locklear. They are all well-researched and well-written. This book is one of her best.” – Amazon customer

✎“I love the short length of the skits, which allowed for me to choose the time spent in class using this resource.” – Gwen H., educator

✎“History books give readers a vast overview of the events of World War II, which may be hard to relate to on a personal level. This book details the life and experience of several ordinary people and offers engaging skits for students to actually experience true but essentially unknown moments from the war. These skits and the detailed background information on them will enrich a reader’s understanding of regular people’s unique experiences and relationships. Fascinating and well-researched.” – Mary C., educator

✎"These uplifting story-skits include vivid pictures of compassionate interactions between enemies, strength and fortitude among survivors, and light-hearted pranks. Students are captivated." - Linda P., educator

Connect with me

✦ Click HERE ✅ to subscribe to my email NEWS BLAST for IDEAS!

✦ FOLLOW ME ⭐ on TpT for news bits and sales!

Please leave a rating or review. I'd love to hear how you used this book.

Cheers!

Rebecca Locklear

Educational Writer, Author, PK-12 certified teacher

www.rebeccalocklear.com

_________________________________________________________________

You might also be interested in other products related to the military:

✔️Military Brats in Cold War Germany

✔️Military Brats in Hawaii "On the Other Side"

✔️Exploring the U.S. Life-Saving Service 1878-1915: 17 Student Workshops with 120 Activities

✔️Revolutionary War Combo - Silly music trio musings

_________________________________________________________________

© Rebecca Locklear. For single use only.

***NOTE: As per TpT guidelines, no stories negatively impact any individual or group.