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History Students Participate in Simulate War Battle
Connor Watson and his classmates were assigned to bring their backpacks to 10th grade global history and geography honors class without knowing they would be in a simulated World War I battle on March 20.
Lights were off, loud intense music was played, and students were in the trenches between rows of desks protected by a short stack of books on the desks. Students had their heavy backpacks on as they were throwing bombs made of paper at the opposing army.
“It was fun,” said Watson. “It shows how they had their different struggles with the weight on their backs, the trenches being so tight, not being able to hear as well as they should, and the low visibility.”
William Havranek, a teacher in the district for 19 years, said he’s done this exercise with his students in the past and will continue to do it.
“That particular exercise is motivating for students,” said Havranek. “They have fun. They’re excited about it afterwards and it gives them an experience in that simulation that they wouldn’t necessarily have.
“On a deeper level they can really get a view of what it might be like to be in the trenches on a daily basis in the sense of your senses being affected.”
Havranek was joined in instructing during the exercise by global history and geography teacher Douglas Matthews and Elena McHugh, who oversees the writing lab for district students in grades six through 12.
Following the exercise, students wrote of their experience for a few minutes before sharing their notes with classmates and teachers.
“We’re big on making sure that they can make the connection, not just to themselves, but making sure they can actually draw connections to what life and society in the culture must have been like,” said McHugh.
“It’s paramount for them not only on the Regents but it is also how you build a firmer connection with history. You’ve got these honors students and they want to build that firm connection.”