School Radio

PRIVATE PEACEFUL
by Michael Morpurgo
Age 9 - 12+

The 13 episodes of this abridgement are available to listen online. Go to:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01n4ny7

Contents:
Introduction 1

National Curriculum Programme of Study 1

1 Five past ten 4

2 Twenty to eleven 5

3 Nearly quarter past eleven 5

4 Ten to midnight 6

5 Twenty-four minutes past twelve 7

6 Nearly five to minte 9

7 Twenty-eight minutes past one 9

8 Fourteen minutes past two 11

9 A minute past three 12

10 Twenty-five past three 13

11 Nearly four o’clock 14

12 Five to five 15

13 Twenty-seven minutes to six 16

Exploring the text further 17

Links 19

Teacher’s Notes written by Caroline Garland

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 School Radio

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Introduction National Curriculum in England -

Programme of Study for English 2014
Michael Morpurgo was born in 1943. He went
to school in London, Sussex and Kent and Upper KS2 Reading Comprehension
later to the University of London where he
studied English and French. He became a Pupils should be taught to:
primary school teacher and it was during his
Maintain positive attitudes to reading and under-
time as a teacher that he realised he wanted
standing of what they read by:
to be a writer. Michael has described how his
class were bored with a story he was shar- • continuing to read and discuss an increasingly
ing with them and how he decided to create wide range of fiction, (poetry, plays) non-fic-
something for exciting for them instead. tion and reference books or textbooks
• reading books that are structured in different
Michael has gone on to become one of the ways and reading for a range of purposes
country’s best-loved authors of children’s • increasing their familiarity with a wide range of
literature. He was Children’s Laureate from books, including myths, legends and traditional
2003-2005 and became an OBE in 2006. stories, modern fiction, fiction from our literary
heritage, and books from other cultures and
He has written over 100 books and has won
traditions recommending books that they have
numerous awards, including ‘The Blue Peter read to their peers, giving reasons for their
Award’ for Private Peaceful. choices
• identifying and discussing themes and conven-
He has said: ‘For me, the greater part of tions in and across a wide range of writing
writing is daydreaing, dreaming the dream • making comparisons within and across books
of my story until it hatches out – the writing • learning a wider range of poetry by heart
down of it I always find hard. But I love • preparing poems and plays to read aloud and
finishing it, then holding the book in my to perform, showing understanding through
hand and sharing my dream with my intonation, tone and volume so that the mean-
ing is clear to an audience
readers.’
Understand what they read by:
Michael was born during World War 2 and
often writes of the divisions, conflicts and • checking that the book makes sense to them,
injustices of warfare. His own family was discussing their understanding and exploring
deeply affected by war through the loss of the meaning of words in context
his uncle and the break up of his parents. • asking questions to improve their understand-
The theme of war is explored in Michael’s ing
books Private Peaceful, War Horse and • drawing inferences such as inferring charac-
Adolphus Tips. ters’ feelings, thoughts and motives from their
actions, and justifying inferences with evidence
• predicting what might happen from details
Michael has established three working farms stated and implied
in Devon, Wales and Gloustershire where • summarising the main ideas drawn from more
children from inner city schools can come than one paragraph, identifying key details
and stay for a week to experience life work- that support the main ideas
ing in the countryside. Michael now lives • identifying how language, structure and pres-
with his wife in Devon where he continues to entation contribute to meaning
write. You can read more about Michael at:
Discuss and evaluate how authors use language,
http://michaelmorpurgo.com including figurative language, considering the
impact on the reader.

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 School Radio

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Distinguish between statements of fact and opin- In using reference books, pupils need to know
ion. what information they need to look for before
they begin and need to understand the task. They
Retrieve, record and present information from should be shown how to use contents pages and
non-fiction. indexes to locate information.

Participate in discussions about books that are The skills of information retrieval that are taught
read to them and those they can read for them- should be applied, for example, in reading history,
selves, building on their own and others’ ideas geography and science textbooks, and in contexts
and challenging views courteously. where pupils are genuinely motivated to find out
information, for example, reading information leaf-
Explain and discuss their understanding of what lets before a gallery or museum visit or reading
they have read, including through formal presen- a theatre programme or review. Teachers should
tations and debates, maintaining a focus on the consider making use of any library services and
topic and using notes where necessary provide expertise to support this.
reasoned justifications for their views.
Pupils should have guidance about and feedback
Provide reasoned justifications for their views. on the quality of their explanations and
contributions to discussions.
Upper KS2 Notes and guidance (non-
statutory) Pupils should be shown how to compare charac-
ters, settings, themes and other aspects
Even though pupils can now read independently, of what they read.
reading aloud to them should include whole
books so that they meet books and authors that Department for Education
they might not choose to read themselves.
KS3 Reading and writing
The knowledge and skills that pupils need in
order to comprehend are very similar at different Reading at Key Stage 3 should be wide, varied
ages. Pupils should continue to apply what they and challenging. Pupils should be expected to
have already learnt to more complex writing. read whole books, to read in depth and to read for
pleasure and information.
Pupils should be taught to recognise themes in
what they read, such as loss or heroism. They Pupils should continue to develop their knowledge
should have opportunities to compare characters, of and skills in writing, refining their drafting skills
consider different accounts of the same event and developing resilience to write at length. They
and discuss viewpoints (both of authors and of should be taught to write formal and academic es-
fictional characters), within a text and across says as well as writing imaginatively. They should
more than one text. be taught to write for a variety of purposes and
audiences across a range of contexts. This re-
They should continue to learn the conventions quires an increasingly wide knowledge of vocabu-
of different types of writing, such as the use of lary and grammar.
the first person in writing diaries and autobiogra-
phies. Opportunities for teachers to enhance pupils’
vocabulary will arise naturally from their reading
Pupils should be taught the technical and other and writing. Teachers should show pupils how to
terms needed for discussing what they hear and understand the relationships between words, how
read, such as metaphor, simile, analogy, imagery, to understand nuances in meaning, and how to
style and effect. develop their understanding of, and ability to use,
figurative language.

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Pupils should be taught to control their speak- • knowing the purpose, audience for and context
ing and writing consciously, understand why of the writing and drawing on this knowledge
sentences are constructed as they are and to to support comprehension
use Standard English. They should understand • checking their understanding to make sure
and use age-appropriate vocabulary, including that what they have read makes sense
linguistic and literary terminology, for discussing
their reading, writing and spoken language. This Read critically through:
involves consolidation, practice and discussion
of language. It is important that pupils learn the • knowing how language, including figurative
correct grammatical terms in English and that language, vocabulary choice, grammar, text
these terms are integrated within teaching. structure and organisational features, presents
meaning
Teachers should build on the knowledge and skills • recognising a range of poetic conventions and
that pupils have been taught at key stage 2. understanding how these have been used
Decisions about progression should be based on • studying setting, plot, and characterisation,
the security of pupils’ linguistic knowledge, skills and the effects of these
and understanding and their readiness to pro- • understanding how the work of dramatists is
gress to the next stage. Pupils whose linguistic communicated effectively through performance
development is more advanced should be chal- and how alternative staging allows for different
lenged through being offered opportunities for interpretations of a play making critical com-
increased breadth and depth in reading and writ- parisons across texts
ing. Those who are less fluent should consolidate • studying a range of authors, including at least
their knowledge, understanding and skills, includ- two authors in depth each year.
ing through additional practice.
Department for Education
KS3 Reading Comprehension

Pupils should be taught to:

Develop an appreciation and love of reading, and

read increasingly challenging material indepen-
dently through:

• reading a wide range of fiction and non-fic-

tion, including in particular whole books, short
stories, poems and plays with a wide cover-
age of genres, historical periods, forms and
authors
• choosing and reading books independently for
challenge, interest and enjoyment
• re-reading books encountered earlier to
increase familiarity with them and provide a
basis for making comparisons

Understand increasingly challenging texts

through:

• learning new vocabulary, relating it explicitly

to known vocabulary and understanding it
with the help of context and dictionaries
• making inferences and referring to evidence
in the text

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 School Radio

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

EPISODE 1: FIVE PAST TEN Guided reading:

Synopsis: Identify how we meet the speaker. How does the

author introduce the main character of the story?
Each episode begins with a brief passage in which Explore how he uses present tense and then past
the speaker - Thomas ‘Tommo’ Peaceful - relates tense to move between time periods.
something of his present circumstances, before
he begins to recollect events from the past. In What can we tell of Tommo’s circumstances from
the first of these we learn that he is young, is his opening words? Where might he be? Why
alone and that the night ahead is meaningful to might he want to remain awake all night? (What
him. For some reason he wishes to remain awake can we tell from the soundtrack?)
and alert. The subsequent episode openings
gradually provide more information about his cir- Identify the characters introduced in the first
cumstances through a series of hints and clues. episode. Consider how they are related and what
But the precise nature of Tommo’s circumstances those relationships look like. Identify where close
are not revealed until the final espisode. There bonds are illustrated using the text to explain.
is an additional clue that can be deduced from
the soundtrack - which has the sounds of shells Find evidence of the relationship between Charlie
exploding when Tommo speaks in the present. and Tommo. What does Tommo think of his older
brother? How does the author paint a picture of
After his brief opening reflection Tommo then him?
begins his recollection of his childhood, begin-
ning with his first day at school. Throughout we What do we learn of Tommo’s first day at school?
learn about his family. Charlie, his older brother, How does it compare to school today? Make com-
protects and comforts him. Big Joe, his eldest parisons between your memories and Tommo’s
brother, is cared for at home by his mother. We first day at school.
discover he is different in some way.
Explore the kindness of characters not related to
Tommo describes his two contrasting teachers Tommo. Look at Molly’s actions and why she helps
- Mr Munnings and Miss McAllister - and how he Tommo.
copes with his first day at school. The episode
ends with Tommo’s description of the death of his Look more closely at the character of Big Joe. He
father, for which he feels responsible. doesn’t go to school because of his learning diffi-
culties. Discuss how this would be different today.
Characters:
Compare the two teachers - Mr Munnings and Miss
Tommo McAllister. Identify similarities and differences.
Charlie Gather opinions on the way Mr Munnings punishes
Mother children. Decide whether it was reasonable to use
Father corporal punishment because attitudes were dif-
Big Joe ferent at the turn of the century or whether it has
Molly always been wrong. Revisit this in later episodes
Mr Munnings when discussing court martial law.

Themes: Clarify the events which lead up to the death of

Tommo’s father. Make a visual timeline.
Time
Fears Who is the Colonel and why does he have an
First experiences impact on their daily lives? What do Charlie and
Nature Tommo think of the Colonel? Do you think he
Authority might have an influence on them in the future now
Loss their father is dead?

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

EPISODE 2: TWENTY TO ELEVEN Guided reading:

Synopsis: What more do we find out about Tommo’s present

circumstances from the opening of the episode?
In the present, Tommo has food but doesn’t want Why could he have food and not wish to eat it?
to eat it. The uneaten stew becomes the spring- Could it have been given to him? Who could have
board for further childhood memories... given it to him?

We learn that Big Joe had meningitis as a new- During his recollections Tommo thinks of his family
born baby and that Joe has a very kind nature, and how vulnerable Big Joe was as a baby. What
loving everything and everyone, especially does the author tell us about how children with
nature. special needs were cared for at that time? Big Joe
doesn’t go to school. Would that happen today?
We learn of the tricks the brothers Tommo and
Charlie play on Big Joe and how Molly, a school How does Morpurgo paint a picture of childhood
friend, becomes like a member of their family. in the days Tommo and Charlie are growing up?
What kind of childhood is it?
But the Peacefuls live in a tied cottage - tied to
the job of the late Mr Peaceful - and now the Molly becomes an important part of the boys’
Colonel, as the local land owner, can compel Mrs childhood. What does she bring to the story? What
Peaceful to take a job caring for the Colonel’s have you found out about her?
wife up at the ‘Big House’. This will allow them to
pay for their upkeep. The family’s circumstances change when Mrs
Peaceful is compelled to start working for the
Grandma Wolf arrives to look after the three boys Colonel. Why does she have to do this? Does this
while their mother is out at work. Tommo tells seem fair? How does this change affect Big Joe as
us she is mean and cruel to them. And he feels well as Tommo and Charlie?
that he is to blame for the sadness in his family
because he feels responsible for the accident that What does the character of Grandma Wolf bring to
killed their father. this early part of the story? Is she like any other
characters we have met so far?
Characters:
Despite Grandma Wolf’s behaviour, Tommo be-
Tommo lieves the family’s suffering is his fault. Explain
Charlie why this is?
Mother
Big Joe
Grandma Wolf
Molly
The Colonel
EPISODE 3: NEARLY QUARTER PAST
Themes: ELEVEN
Blame Synopsis:
Change
Loss Tommo in the present sees a mouse and memo-
Control and power ries of childhood continue...

He tells of the battle he and Charlie had with

Grandma Wolf over mice in the house throughout
the winter and of her cruelty towards the children.

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

We learn that Molly is an only child and that her What does it mean to be ‘in service’? Explore jobs
family are ‘god fearing and strict’ and that her local villagers would have done for the local gen-
father also works for the Colonel, as a groom. try.

Mrs Peaceful loses her job when the Colonel’s What do we know of Molly’s family? How are they
wife dies suddenly and for a time the family has linked to the Colonel?
no income and the children go hungry. Charlie
decides they should do some poaching on the Tommo in his opening reflection thinks of happy
Colone’s land, with Tommo and Molly standing times when Charlie, Molly and he played together.
guard. The author shows Charlie as a risk taker. Gather
evidence of this to use later in the story.
Tommo describes ‘the miracle’ of the Colonel
giving Grandma Wolf her old housekeeping job
back and of Mrs Peaceful being given some sew-
ing work by him, enabling them to stay on in the
cottage.
EPISODE 4: TEN TO MIDNIGHT
Tommo and Charlie form a close bond with Molly
- and so they are deeply concerend when she Synopsis:
falls ill with Scarlet fever.
Tommo’s memories of saying his prayers at the
Characters: end of Episode 3 lead him to reflect on God and
the likelihood of an afterlife at the beginning of
Tommo Episode 4. His hope that ‘there is a heaven’ is
Charlie clearly linked to his circumstances, but how is not
Mother yet clear.
Big Joe
Molly Tommo then recalls an evening spent poaching:
Grandma Wolf on this occasion Tommo falls asleep and so they
The Colonel are caught in the act by Lambert, the Colonel’s
bailiff. Lambert marches the two boys to the Colo-
nel and he, supported by Grandma Wolf, deter-
Themes: mines their punishment should be a ‘sound hiding’
followed by cleaning out the hunt kennels.
Fate
Cruelty When Mrs Peaceful learns of the proposed punish-
Love ment she speaks to the Colonel and persuades
Risk him not to beat the children. Instead they must
Luck clean the kennels every weekend until Christmas.
However, the boys enjoy thier time in the kennels
Guided reading: and become fond of one foxhound in particular,
called Bertha.
Look for evidence that paints a picture of Grand-
ma Wolf. What is she like and how does she Molly final returns to them but she is different.
influence the family? Think about the era in which Pale, with short hair and more adult. Tommo tells
Grandma Wolf was raised and worked. What do us his love deepens for her.
we learn of her relationship with the Colonel and
his family? Tommo calls her ‘Wolfwoman’. Why Molly and Charlie leave school for jobs in the ‘Big
do you think he does this? What does this tell us House’ and Tommo is alone in the classroom.
about his memories of her? Tommo feels he is losing Molly and one day he
sees Charlie and she walking, hand in hand.

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Then Tommo relates the day of the yellow aero- We learn more of the relationship between Grand-
plane. Charlie, Molly and he are outdoors when a ma Wolf and the Colonel. They are in agreement
plane - the first they have ever seen - lands near concerning the boys. What seems strange about
them and they talk to the pilot. this relationship?

Finally Charlie tells Tommo that he’s about to be Molly recovers from her illness but how has she
in trouble. He has taken Bertha - stolen her - to changed? Her relationship with Charlie also chang-
prevent the Colonel from shooting her. Charlie ing and this has an impact on the dynamic
has hidden the dog, but knows that in the morn- between the three. Consider how each of them
ing his actions will be discovered. might be feeling.

Characters: The event of the yellow aeroplane marks a change

in development. Discuss with pupils what this sig-
Tommo nifies in the world for technology and progress.
Charlie
Mother At school Mr Munnings thinks Tommo is lying
Big Joe about this event. Why would he not believe them?
Molly Ask pupils to think of an amazing event they have
Grandma Wolf witnessed and explore the feelings this brought
The Colonel about, for example, Felix Baumgartner’s record
Gamekeeper Lambert breaking jump from space. Describe the sense of
Mr Munnings awe and wonder we have from such events. How
do these events help us to think differently about
Themes: the future? How might some people be afraid of
these events?
Poaching- breaking the rules
Love The theme of theft is revisited when Charlie takes
Fate - justice and injustice - steals - Bertha, the foxhound that the Colonel
Change no longer wants. Discuss the conundrum of taking
something unwanted being theft. What are pupil’s
Guided reading: thoughts and feelings about this? What happens to
unwanted animals now?
At the start of the episode Tommo reflects on
death and the possibility of an afterlife and we
begin to sense some kind of impending event.
Revisit the title of each chapter. How is time
being measured and used to lead the reader
through the story? Discuss the idea of time run- EPISODE 5: TWENTY-FOUR MINUTES
ning out and not having enough time to do the PAST TWELVE
things you wish. Revisit the life of Tommo’s father
and how it was cut short by its suddenness. Synopsis:
In his recollections Tommo describes poaching At the start of the episode Tommo refers to seeing
and how taking animals from the Colonel’s land larks over no-man’s-land and we learn for the first
helps the family survive. Debate the decision to time that - in the present - he must be a soldier in
go poaching. What are the rights and wrongs? World War 1.
Gather opinions from pupils.
In Tommo’s next recollection the Colonel arrives
The theme of punishment is revisited once the at the cottage to find out what Charlie has done
boys have been discovered. Discuss what is with Bertha. Their mother negotiates with him
threatened by the Colonel. Would this be allowed and pays sixpence for the dog. However, Charlie
today? How does this event change their lives?

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

is dismissed from his job. Later he goes to work Guided reading:

for Farmer Cox and as a result Tommo sees even
less of his brother. For the first time we learn that Tommo in the
present is speaking to us as a World War 1 soldier
Molly stops visiting and Mrs Peaceful realises that when he mentions ‘no-man’s-land’. Discuss what
her parents must be responding to stories - pre- and where no-man’s-land is. Where could we find
sumably put about by the Colonel and the Wolf- out more about no-man’s-land?
woman - that her son is a thief.
The Colonel intrudes on their lives again. How
Charlie is determined to keep in contact with does Mrs Peaceful protect her sons? What kind of
Molly and enlists Tommo as his go-between mother do you think she is? What qualities does
delivering letters to and from her. It is from Mol- she demonstrate through this episode and the
ly’s overheard conversations up at the ‘Big House’ ones preceding?
that Tommo first hears of the impending war.
We learn that Molly is banned from meeting with
Tommo leaves school and joins his brother work- the boys but Tommo becomes a go-between with
ing at Cox’s farm. On returning home one day letters. What does the author reveal about their
they discover Molly and her mother at their relationship that perhaps Tommo doesn’t know?
house. Charlie’s letters have been discovered When they are discovered through Charlie’s letters
along with their love for each other and their Tommo feels betrayed. Why is this? Look more
secret meetings. Tommo didn’t know of their into his feelings for Molly and compare them to
meetings and feels betrayed by them both. They Charlie’s feeling for her.
have kept matters secret from Tommo in order to
protect his feelings. Identify the evidence in the episode about the
War. How much do we find out from what the chil-
One evening Bertha goes missing and does not dren are aware of?
return. Tommo goes in search of her in Fords
Cleave Wood and hears a shot ring out. He finds Talk about children leaving school and starting
Bertha dead outside his father’s old shack with physical labour. How does this compare with
the Colonel standing over her. Charlie and Molly expectations for children today at 14?
run from the shack. Their meeting place has been
discovered. At the end of this episode the author leaves us
with the shocking event of Bertha being shot by
Characters: the Colonel. At the same time Charlie and Molly’s
secret meeting at the shack in the wood is
Tommo revealed. Explore all the characters involved and
Charlie their feelings at this point. Tommo’s feelings at
Mother being betrayed, Charlie’s and Molly’s at being dis-
Big Joe covered, Big Joe’s at the loss of Bertha...and the
Molly Colonel’s.
Grandma Wolf
The Colonel Mrs Peaceful has previously paid sixpence to the
Colonel for ownership of Bertha. Why then does
Themes: the Colonel kill the dog?

Injustice
Authority
Love and secrets

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

EPISODE 6: NEARLY FIVE TO ONE Talk about the consequences of the Colonel’s
actions on Big Joe. Discuss Big Joe’s challenges
Synopsis: and how he would find it hard to understand these
actions.
Tommo in the present sees a new moon rising
and wonders if those back home will also be see- The villagers come out to help find Big Joe. What
ing it... does this tell us about the attitudes of the people
of the village? Can you compare it to any events
Tommo’s next recollection is how Big Joe goes today? Have people’s attitudes stayed the same or
missing following the shooting of Bertha. The changed? The Colonel also helps. Do our opinions
whole village is alerted to Joe’s disappearance, of him change with this?
including the Colonel up at hte ‘Big House’.
The Colonel calls in the police to assist and it is Identify how the villagers will alert everyone when
agreed that if anyone finds Big Joe the church Joe is found. Compare this to modern day commu-
bell will be rung. nication. What would be the barriers they would
encounter that wouldn’t happen today?
All night people search for Big Joes, dreading the
worst. Molly thinks she knows where he is and Charlie and Tommo find Big Joe when he is near
directs Charlie and Tommo to search for him in death. Explore Tommo’s feelings about death from
the church bell tower - on the grounds that Big his father and Bertha. How might he feel at the
Joe appears to associate the tower with heaven. risk of losing Big Joe? If Big Joe had died who
would be to blame?
Tommo finds Big Joe there asleep and Chalie
rings the bell. The family and other villagers are
relieved that Big Joe has been found.

Characters:
EPISODE 7: TWENTY-EIGHT MINUTES
Tommo PAST ONE
Charlie
Mother Synopsis:
Big Joe
Molly Tommo thinks of the church steeples no longer
Grandma Wolf standing in the battlefields where he is and refers
The Colonel specifically to the damaged steeple of the church
in Albert. He thinks of the church again at home.
Themes:
After Big Joe is found life is settled except for the
Injustice talk of war. The Colonel speaks of horses and men
Love being needed urgently. They hear of the terrible
Innocence battle on the Marne. Meanwhile, on returning from
Loss their work, Charlie and Tommo find Molly in tears
with their mother. Her parents have thrown her
Guided reading: out as she is going to have Charlie’s baby. They
are married - very quietly - and Tommo mourns
Tommo, writing in the present, wishes for ‘the the loss of his beloved Molly. He feels he must get
impossible’. Now we know he is involved in the away and spends as much time as he can away
War what could this be? Do we yet know what from home working for Farmer Cox.
is happening to him? Gather ideas and opinions
from pupils. On an errand to Hatherleigh he sees a military
parade drumming up volunteers to serve in the

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

War. An old woman pushes Tommo to join up and Consider the implications for Tommo’s relationship
mocks his hesitation, calling him a coward. with Charlie and Molly when they marry quietly.
Find evidence that Tommo feels betrayed again by
At home later Charlie and Tommo talk to a tearful them.
Molly. The Colonel has paid Mrs Peaceful another
visit and if Charlie does not enlist they will lose All is turned upside down by the arrival of war and
their cottage. Charlie believes he must agree Molly’s pregnancy. Compare the two events and
and Tommo says he will join him in volunteering. their impact on the family.
Molly is full of fear and asks Tommo to look after
Charlie. Shortly after they take their first ever Tommo sees a military parade intended to encour-
train ride when they go to Exeter to enlist. age the people of Hatherleigh to volunteer for
service. It is an amazing sight for him but this is
Characters: contrasted against the old woman mocking him.
Explain how Tommo feels, using evidence from the
Tommo book and explore why he doesn’t reveal that he is
Charlie underage.
Mother
Big Joe Charlie is forced to enlist by the Colonel. Explore
Molly how he is able to use blackmail and the injustice
Grandma Wolf of this. Explore why the Colonel would believe it
The Colonel is right to send young men - little more than boys
Conscription Officer - to war. What knowledge do pupil’s have of the
Old woman history of the War? What sort of risk will be facing
Charlie and Tommo? Revisit this later when Char-
Themes: lie and Tommo are forced to fight in unreasonable
conditions.
Broken promises
Pride Tommo says he will go with Charlie to enlist in
Duty Exeter. We know he is underage but no one dis-
cusses this. Why do you think this is?
Guided reading:
Find information about underage soldiers enlist-
In the episode opening Tommo refers to the ing. How does the official age that one could enlist
church in Albert. Where is this? What evidence do then compare to now? Make links to modern day
we have that he is far away? What do we know of conflicts and the risks young men are put under.
World War 1 and young soldiers? Debate the issues this raises.

The episode begins with the Colonel discussing Usually it is Charlie protecting Tommo but Molly
the War in the local pub after the villagers cel- asks Tommo to protect Charlie. Why do you think
ebrate finding Big Joe alive. Would you expect to she is so insistent the younger brother take the
find the local gentry drinking in the pub with vil- lead?
lagers? Why might the Colonel want to talk about
the War with them? The Colonel has an army
background so discuss what his opinion might be
of war. He states more men are needed so how
might he want to influence the local people?

The author introduces the shock of Molly’s preg-

nancy through her being thrown out of her home.
We know Molly’s parents are deeply religious. If
appropriate discuss pupil’s opinions on this
dilemma for Molly.

10

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

EPISODE 8: FOURTEEN MINUTES Guided reading:

PAST TWO
Time is referred to frequently by the author. Con-
Synopsis: sider why this is so in this episode. Tommo talks
about wishing time would stand still. Discuss the
Tommo checks the time on his watch, wishing passing of time, the timeless childhood he and his
time would stand still. He thinks back now to brother had together, compared to time rushing
his army training and the bullying he and Char- past now.
lie sustained at the hands of Sergeant ‘Horrible’
Hanley. Tommo is little more than a boy and yet he is a
soldier. Countless similar young lives were lost in
Tommo recounts the process of joining up, the World War 1. Explore what the impact of this was
uniforms that don’t fit, the boots that are too on life back home in the UK.
big. He sees many of the lads he grew up with at
home. Their training at Salisbury Plain is full of Tommo recounts the joining up process and it is
marching, stitching and polishing. As they train clear the equipment provided was poor. How do
with rifles they hear guns sounding from over in you think this would affect the young soldiers
France and are afraid. heading off to war? What might the consequences
be for them?
Tommo and Charlie suffer seasickness on the
journey to France and are met by scenes of the Why does Tommo talk of ‘pretending’ to be a
injured on the quayside when they arrive. soldier during training at Salisbury Plain? Why do
they only look like soldiers?
At Etaples they meet Sergeant ‘Horrible’ Hanley
who targets both boys. When Hanley realizes The recruits write ‘cheery letters home’. Why do
Tommo is underage he bullies him. Charlie chal- you think they are cheery at this stage? Do they
lenges Hanley to protect Tommo and is arrested know what is in store for them yet?
for insubordination. He is given Field Punish-
ment Number 1 by the Brigadier who warns him Tommo tells of the terrible journey across the
that ultimately insubordination is punishable by English Channel. This is the first time he and his
death. Charlie is lashed to a gun wheel as the brother have left home let alone gone to another
others march past. Tommo thinks of him as Jesus country. How might they be feeling as they make
on the cross and sings a hymn to himself as he the crossing?
marches.
The author refers the horses stowed below. Make
Characters: links to his other text War horse. What do we
know of the use of animals in World War 1? (The
Tommo BBC Schools’ website has a section devoted to ani-
Charlie mals in the War.) Revisit the childhood of Tommo
Sergeant Hanley and Charlie and their relationship with animals,
especially their compassion for Bertha the hunt
Themes: dog.

Underage soldiers Bullying and intimidation by those in authority

Bullying is a theme throughout the book. On their arrival
Punishment in Etaples how does Sergeant Hanley affect the
boys? Tommo’s underage status is known but he
isn’t sent home. What do you think should happen
to him and why doesn’t it?

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Charlie is found guilty of insubordination after Tommo recounts patrols in no-man’s-land and
challenging Sergeant Hanley. Is Charlie stand- their mission in to enemy trenches to capture a
ing up for others or is he guilty of being a trou- prisoner. The Captain - ‘Wilkie’ - is shot and car-
blemaker? What do we already know that could ried by Charlie to safety, despite the shells falling
support your argument? Charlie’s punishment is on them.
to be lashed to the wheel of a gun. Is this from
the imagination of the author or is there evidence Later Tommo and Charlie go to visit Wilkie in hos-
that these punishments did happen? Where could pital but discover he has been sent back to Britain
you find out? to recuperate. He has left his gold wrist watch for
Charlie as a gift for saving his life.
At the end Tommo thinks of Charlie as Jesus.
Why do you think the author creates this com- Characters:
parison through Tommo?
Tommo
NB. It was common for British soldiers to Angli- Charlie
cise French and Belgium place names. The Bel- Captain Wilkes
gian town of ‘Ypres’ was generally known as ‘Wip- Anna
ers’ (and this pronunciation appears in the story).
For this reason Tommo pronounces ‘Etaples’ in a Themes:
very Anglicised way.
Coping
War songs
Life before being a soldier
Contrasting characters

EPISODE 9: A MINUTE PAST THREE Guided reading:

Synopsis: As Tommo’s night passes we understand his

reflections are getting closer to real time events.
Tommo regrets falling asleep and the precious
lost time. He finds himself singing ‘Oranges and Singing to raise spirits is mentioned twice. Tommo
lemons’ like Big Joe to stay awake... alone uses Big Joe’s ‘Oranges and lemons’ for
comfort and the soldiers marching use singing
Tommo recalls the time when his company left to raise their morale as they near the front line.
Etaples to move up to the front line. The singing Discuss why singing helps them to cope? Do pupils
keeps spirits up. The soldiers begin to see the know any World War 1 songs? Look at a sample
evidence of war for the first time, shattered vil- and explore the words and how they help those
lages, field hospitals and empty coffins. Captain fighting or left behind at home. There are plenty
Wilkes, once a choir master, is kind and consider- of examples to share on the School Radio website
ate and treats the men well. Letters arrive from here:
home for Tommo. At a final night in the local pub
Tommo meets Anna - the daughter of the propri- www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01n4ldk
etor - and she reminds him of home and Molly.
There is a contrast between the signs of war Tom-
The next night they march to the trenches seeing mo sees as they march and the comforting letters
soldiers returning the other way. Together Charlie they receive from home. The visit to the pub and
and Tommo are on sentry duty and he is disap- meeting Anna seem more normal events. How
pointed to not see any enemy. Tommo tells of the do these more ordinary moments in the episode
misery in the trenches and of his pride in Charlie compare to the terrible things they are starting to
who looks out for all of them. see around them, especially the soldiers they pass
returning from the front who look ‘haunted’?

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

On sentry duty Tommo is excited about the pros- Charlie suddenly appears in no-man’s-land and
pect of seeing the enemy. Why might this be? In falls, injured, into the trench. Charlie’s foot has
his position would you be excited or fearful? been wounded and Charlie knows he’ll be sent
home to recover. He’s full of joy at the prospect of
Captain Wilkes is a key figure in this episode. some time at home and the hope of being there to
Why is he such a contrast to Sergeant Hanley? A see his as yet unborn child.
mission to no-man’s-land is successful but also
brings casualties. What do we learn about no- Tommo is shocked at the departing of his brother
man’s-land and the risks taken when following and feels abandoned by him. He meets Anna - the
senior officers’ orders? Charlie is heroic in his girl from the pub - and they talk of the War and
actions. How does the Captain recognise this? home and share a brief kiss. For a moment all is
What do you think other officers might think of calm. On returning to camp Tommo learns that
the Captain’s generosity? the new sergeant is to be ‘Horrible’ Hanley, hated
more even than the enemy.
We hear from Tommo that before the War Captain
Wilkes was a choir master. Why do you think the Characters:
author decided to make Captain Wilkie a choir
master? Tommo
Charlie
Captain Wilkes
Anna
Sergeant Hanley

EPISODE 10: TWENTY-FIVE PAST

THREE Themes:

Synopsis: ‘Wipers’
Enemies
Tommo in the present reveals that he has just Cruelty of fate
turned down offers of help from other soldiers
and the padre... Guided reading:

Tommo thinks back to the second time they went We now know Tommo is waiting somewhere alone.
up to the front line at ‘Wipers’ (Ypres). The con- He is measuring the passing of time and is offered
stant bombardment and loss of Wilkie as leader a padre (a military chaplain). On what occasions
lowered morale. The new trenches were in very might a padre be called to offer comfort to some-
poor condition - and they could smell the stench one? What does this lead us to conclude about
of death all around and see the bodies of aban- Tommo’s situation? Tommo is keen to remain
doned corpses in no-man’s-land. alone. What might be going through his mind dur-
ing this time?
The constant bombardment terrifies Tommo and
he is actually relieved when it is time to go ‘over In Tommo’s reflections we are confronted with the
the top’ led by a new officer - Lieutenant Buck- horrors of the soldiers’ daily lives. Explore first
land. Tommo is deafened by the shells and loses hand records and the recollections of Tommo. How
sight of Charlie during the attack. much research do you think the author did and
how well has he conveyed the realities of the front
Later, back in the trench, Charlie does not return line trenches at Ypres in his fictional narrative?
and Tommo assumes his brother must be dead. Tommo imagines Charlie warning him not to fall
He imagines Charlie telling him not to fall sleep asleep on sentry duty. How might soldiers in World
on sentry duty as he could be shot for it. War 1 be punished for making mistakes while on
duty?

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Charlie is injured and is going to be sent home. Charlie meets Hanley for the first time since his
Tommo is upset to be abandoned. How does this return. To Tommo Charlie talks of the two different
event advantage Charlie and disadvantage Tom- worlds: life in the trenches and life at home.
mo?
The constant shelling returns and despite the sol-
At the end of the episode there is a contrast diers’ attempts to cope with it Tommo loses con-
between Tommo meeting Anna in a moment of trol and screams in terror. Charlie comforts him
calm with the arrival of Sergeant Hanley to the and sings ‘Oranges and lemons’ to calm him.
camp. How does the author make the reader feel
at this point? The company goes over the top again and Tommo
suddenly feels a pain in his head. He falls to the
ground believing that he is dying...and relieved to
be doing so.

Characters:
EPISODE 11: NEARLY FOUR O’CLOCK
Tommo
Synopsis: Charlie
German Soldier
Morning arrives for Tommo with his fear of death. Pete
Someone is going to lose their life but it is not
necessarily clear who... Themes:

Tommo’s thoughts return to the front line where Compassion

it has become quiet. The threat of a gas attack Protection
is ever present and when it comes Tommo is full Contrasts - home/front line
of fear. As he tries to escape the cloud of gas his Lying
mask comes off and he breathes the gas. A Ger- Surprises
man soldier discovers him but allows Tommo to
escape. In hospital he sees the bodies of those Guided reading:
who did not escpae the gas attack, including one
of his friends. Tommo now reveals that someone is going to die.
Who do you think this is going to be and why?
Letters arrive for Tommo. He reads them aloud to How do you think this death will come about con-
Pete because he has no letters. One, from Tom- sidering the information that we’ve been given?
mo’s mother, gives the news of the baby’s arrival.
The child is named Tommo. Charlie is with them Tommo takes us through the events of a gas
on leave but has clearly not spoken of the horror attack. What makes this such a frightening event?
of the War to them. Pete is disgusted by this and How does the author convey this? Compare Tom-
feels betrayed. The second letter is from Charlie mo’s account to a first hand account from a soldier
and Molly. In the letter Charlie explains his rea- in the War. How successfully does the author con-
sons for hiding the truth about the War from the vey the reality of a gas attack in his story?
family.
The surprising event of a German soldier allowing
On a night of leave from the front line Tommo Tommo to live raises a lots of questions. Discuss
returns to ‘Pop’ and looks for Anna. He discovers why he might have done this? What might life be
she has been killed by a stray German (‘Boche’) like in the trenches for the German soldiers? This
shell. He visits her freshly-dug grave. is followed by Anna’s death from a German shell.
How do these two events make the reader feel?
Charlie returns from leave and in the trench eve-
ryone feels safer that he is among them again. Charlie returns from home. How does this affect
the morale of the soldiers?

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Tommo is injured in a battle and believes himself from the fighting. Slowly they make their way
to be dying. Do pupils really think Tommo might back to the trenches. Tommo sees his brother
be dying at this point? How do we know that arrested and taken away. He doesn’t see him for
cna’t be the case? How do you think the story will the next six weeks.
move forward from this point?
Characters:

Tommo
Charlie
Sergeant Hanley
EPISODE 12: FIVE TO FIVE
Themes:
Synopsis:
Futility
Sixty five minutes remain and Tommo questions Value of life
what he should do with the time time. We learn Nature
from him for the first time that a Private Peace-
ful will be shot for cowardice at six o’clock that Guided reading:
morning: 25 June 1916...
In the penultimate episode the author reveals
Tommo’s recollection returns to the frontline that a Private Peaceful will be shot for cowardice.
where he fell. He realizes his head is wounded Do pupils know yet who it will be? (There are two
and that he is lying in no-man’s-land buried ‘Private Peacefuls’!) Give evidence from the story
beneath the earth where no-one has seen him. to explain your view.
He struggles but cannot get free and fears he will
die until hands dig him out. He hears Charlie’s Tommo thinks again of nature and home. He
voice. The company shelters in a nearby aban- hopes that what will happen will take place outside
doned dugout in the middle of no-man’s-land. with the sound of the birds? Why do you think this
is important to him?
Charlie knows they are pinned down by enemy
fire and wants them to stay put. But Hanley is Tommo is nearly killed and is rescued by Charlie.
also there and demands the men continue the What do we learn of the risks soldiers endured?
attack, despite almost certain failure. Tommo
knows he can’t go on. During a lull in the fight- Finally Tommo recalls the events that lead up
ing Hanley demands the men to make ready. to Charlie’s arrest and the charges against him.
Charlie argues with him that they should not risk Tommo explains the argument between Hanley
their lives in such futile circumstances; Hanley is and Charlie. Discuss the intentions of both and
adamant they will continue and threatens Charlie who you believe was right. Give evidence to sup-
with a court martial. Charlie insists he will stay to port your argument.
look after Tommo and Hanely presses his threat
again. Then Hanley and the others attack in a hail Charlie is very defiant in this episode. He has been
of bullets, leaving Charlie and the injured Tommo defiant to authority before (Mr Munnings at school,
in the dugout. the Colonel, Molly’s parents). Do you think he has
always made the right choices?
Charlie talks to Tommo about the chance of him
not making it home. He makes Tommo prom- What does a ‘court martial’ mean? What do you
ise he will care for Molly and his child. He gives think the consequences will be of this for Char-
Tommo the wrist watch. lie based on what you have heard from Tommo’s
reflections all night?
Tommo wakes later to see Hanley has made it
back to the dugout. Many others do not return Charlie gifts the gold wrist watch to Tommo. Why
do you think he does this?

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

EPISODE 13: TWENTY-SEVEN Tommo sees the time moving to six and plans to
MINUTES TO SIX go outside so he can sense the world alongside
Charlie at the end.
Note: this episode has been created from the lat-
ter half of Episode 12 in the original story. At one minute to six the past finally catches up
with the present. Tommo thinks of the proud way
Synopsis: he knows his brother will face the firing squad.
Tommo hears the volley of shots and knows it is
Tommo’s recollection of events from the past over. As he returns to camp all the soldiers are
have all but caught up with his reflections in the standing to attention.
present. Tommo reveals he only knew the day
before of his brother’s death sentence. He is Tommo collects Charlie’s things and visits his bur-
given twenty minutes to see Charlie. ial place. Shortly he will be going to a new ‘push’
on the Somme...but he is determined to survive
When they meet Charlie insists on reading a let- because now he has promises to keep.
ter to Tommo from Molly about little Tommo and
Big Joe. It is clear she doesn’t know about the Characters:
court martial or Charlie’s death sentence.
Tommo
Charlie insists Tommo must tell the truth of what Charlie
happened when he returns home. He explains the
injustice of the court martial, with no witnesses Themes:
called in his defence. Charlie says the history of
his insubordination and being shot in the foot Rules
has gone against him. (Soldiers were accused of Injustice
shooting themselves in the foot as a way to be Cruelty
sent home injured). The brigadier at the court Punishment
martial had called Charlie a ‘worthless man’ and Respect
this wounds him the most. Charlie is resigned to Promises
the outcome and comforts Tommo. They spend Forgiveness
time talking about home and the promise Tommo
has made regarding Molly and the baby. Guided reading:

Tommo finally expresses the guilt he feels con- Why has Charlie not told Molly of what will happen
cerning their father’s death and Charlie assures to him? He then states that Tommo must tell the
him it was not his fault. truth of what has happened to him. Why do you
think Charlie wants to conceal the truth himself
The time draws near for Tommo to leave and but be sure that Tommo reveals it?
Charlie passes him letters for home. They hold
each other, humming ‘Oranges and lemons’, then The author explains a range of ‘facts’ about the
sing louder. Charlie says he’ll be singing the tune court martial process and the behaviour of soldiers
as he stands before the firing squad. Their time is accused. How can we check fact from fiction?
up and Tommo must leave.
Explore views on the way soldiers were treated
Tommo returns to the camp and discovers Hanley in the First World War. What were the attitudes
has died in a freak training-ground accident. He is at the time and why? Through Charlie’s story the
relieved at the justice but the camp is subdued. author explores the idea of fairness. What was
fair or unfair in these events? What other events
Wanting to be alone Tommo goes to a barn to in previous episodes have been unfair? How does
spend the night - the same barn from which he this unfairness affect the reader at this part of the
has been making his recollections. story.

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Charlie and Tommo can’t physically be together Exploring the text futher
at the end. How does the author unite them
when the moment comes? How does this link Discussion and debate
home and their childhood to this moment?
How well do the last shared minutes of the • Explore and compare the similarities and dif-
brothers affect the reader? What emotions has ferences of rural Devon to France and Belgium.
the author wanted to bring about? • Frame the narrative through the present tense
telling.
Tommo decides to confide his ‘secret’ about their • Explore the main narrative through past tense
father’s death. Why does he choose to do this telling.
now? • Explore past memories framed by imminent
death.
On Tommo’s return to camp we suddenly learn • Explore the themes of fair play and loyalty.
Hanley has been killed in a freak accident. How • Identify themes, parallels and symbols you
does this make you feel? Why do you think the think the author is using.
author decides to add this at this particular • Discuss the text as a historical source. How
moment in the story? Do pupils really think it accurate is it? Can it be trusted? How can we
was a freak accident? Discuss the themes of jus- check the accounts within included by the
tice and fairness in this final part of the story. author?
• Identify the author’s attitudes to war. Research
Finally in the present, Tommo steps outside and his experiences and family life which has influ-
imagines how Charlie will die, before hearing the enced him. How does he convey his opinions
volley of shots that kill him. Why do you think through Private Peaceful?
the author tells of the event through Tommo
rather than first hand? Do you think this was a Writing
good choice?
• Compare story openings with other Michael
On his return to camp his fellow soldiers are Morpurgo books. Consider similarities and dif-
standing to attention. What does this tell Tommo ferences.
about their feelings for his brother? How does • Create a chart of characters (a mind map) tag-
this affect the closing moments of the story? ging them with key information and connecting
them showing their relationships to each other.
Tommo is left reflecting on his promise to his • Explore time point stages - map the events
brother. Morpurgo chooses to leave Tommo on on a timeline built up throughout reading the
the frontline. Why do you think he does this? story. Explore how time moves quickly and
What do you think will happen next for Tommo? slowly. Continue to add key information using
What significance should we attach to the fact sticky notes.
that he will shortly go to the Somme? • Write in role as child and adult. Mimic the style
used by the author where we move backwards
and forwards through time.
• Make a ‘comparisons and differences’ grid of
two selected characters - eg Tommo and Char-
lie; Mr Munnings and Sergeant Hanley.
• Make a ‘comparisons and differences’ grid of
two selected scenes in the same way.
• Create character profiles for Charlie and Tom-
mo. How are each Private Peaceful the same
or different? Record quotes from the text to
support ideas given.

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

• Explore the difference between narrative and • Create monologues that pupils perform
recount. Pupils attempt to write two ver- through study of the stage and radio produc-
sions of an event in their lives using both text tions.
types.
• Write a letter in role using any main character History
from the story.
• Create a diary extract. • Gather facts about World War 1 on a range of
• Study and mimic the style of the author in issus - recruitment, underage soldiers, propa-
describing dramatic scenes - eg a funeral, ganda, frontline conditions, courts martial,
passing soldiers returning from the front. shell shock.
• Create newspaper articles reporting on the • Explore key political and military persons who
war. Explore different view points and opinion influenced decision making.
that might be portrayed. Explore propaganda • Research the process of a court martial and
and how this would influence reporting at the the laws compared to those today. How was
time, the enemy, the public at home. Write an being shot for cowardice justified?
article on deserters from the Allied forces and • Use the primary sources of soldiers’ accounts
convey opinion at the time. Explore how chal- of life on the frontline to understand their
lenging this is to your own sense of fairness. experiences. Link these to events in the book
• Illustrate a scene tagging text on to areas of identifying fact and fiction.
the drawings. This could be descriptive vocab- • Research conscientious objectors - who they
ulary, key quotes, speech from characters. were and what were the challenges they were
• Create a leaflet or poster encouraging young met with.
men to join up.
• Create a report on the conditions at the Citizenship and Rights
frontline in role as Captain Wilkes or Sergeant
Hanley. • Compare the rights of soldiers in World War 1
to soldiers who join up today.
Poetry • Explore different types of authority. Compare
those illustrated in the story and whether
• Use the text to read and discuss the poetry of these relationships still exist today.
Wilfred Owen. • Use the old lady in the story who accuses
• Make comparisons between the account of the Tommo of cowardice at the recruitment rally to
War given in Private Peaceful and the themes initiate discussion on public opinion and how
and ideas Wilfred Owen explores. we are influenced by the media and those in
• Write your own poems on the theme of war authority.
using Wilfred Owen’s techniques.
PSHE
Drama
• Explore the theme of heroes and villains in fic-
• Recreate the trial of Charlie. Place pupils in tion and fact.
the position of prosecutor and defence. En- • Explore the various potrayls of bullying in the
courage them to argue opinions that they may story.
or may not hold. Evaluate afterwards their • Explore fairness and loyalty through the char-
feelings about arguing ‘from both sides’. acters and compare to life experiences - eg
• ‘Hot seat’ any character from the text. Inter- school, family, authority.
rogate their feelings, thoughts and opinions.
• Explore how Private Peaceful would adapt for
radio, theatre and film. Discuss the challeng-
es of each medium and which might be the
most successful. (The story has already been
filmed, adapted for radio drama and adapated
as a one-person performance for the theatre).

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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Links

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/
The new offering from BBC Schools about WW1 which launched at the start of 2014

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01n4ldk
Resources from BBC School Radio helping schools to create a WW1 performance

www.bbc.co.uk/ww1
A portal to the BBC’s current broadcasts focusing on WW1

www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/launch_ani_wwone_movies.shtml
Interactive animations from the BBC, including a ‘Night patrol’

www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/britain_wwone/
The homefront and the descent into war

www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/launch_vt_wwone_trench.shtml
Take a virtual tour of life in a trench

www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/launch_ani_western_front.shtml
An interactive map of western Europe before, during and after the War

www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/soldiers_stories_gallery_05.shtml
Listen to WW1 soldiers describe their experiences first hand

www.westernfrontassociation.com/

www.1914-1918.net/

www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWgas.htm
Information about gas attacks in WW1

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/index.htm

NB The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

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