Thomas County Middle School sixth grade students welcomed author and historian Dr. Annette Laing to their media center on Tuesday, April 26.  These students have studied World War II as a part of their curriculum for the past two years.  Laing’s presentation was called “Could You Be a World War II Kid?”

During the meetings with Dr. Laing, students were able to learn how air raids, food rationing, the blackout, and evacuations affected citizens of England, particularly children, during World War II.  She used artifacts, multimedia, period costume, and readings from her book Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When to make history come alive for the students.  The presentation encouraged the students to think critically and to discover for themselves parallels in the American experience of World War II.

“When students have the chance to hear from an author and historian, it encourages them to continue learning more about history at a deeper level.  Touching the artifacts also helped history come alive for the students,” said Mandy West, social studies department chair and sixth grade teacher.  

Erin Rehberg, TCMS media specialist, was the host for this event.  “We love to have authors visit in our media center,” she said.  “The students were totally engaged during Dr. Laing’s presentation and she did a fantastic job of transporting the children from Thomas County in 2016 to England in the 1940s.  She made history exciting for the students.”

Student Bryce Shroats had the opportunity to wear some of the artifacts during Laing’s presentation, including pieces of an air raid warden’s uniform. “Hearing her presentation about life back then made me feel grateful,” he said.  “I would not want to be a kid in England in the 1940s.”

Annette Laing is the author of The Snipesville Chronicles series for middle school readers.  The series highlights the adventures of three children from South Georgia as they are transported to different historical time periods.  She makes her home in Atlanta, Georgia.