Teachers Guide
for the
Mine Awareness Education Package
Contents of the Package
This package contains materials to help you (and the children you teach)
understand the dangers of mines and UXOs, as well as and to help you live
safely with mine/UXOs.
The package has been designed as a resource. You should be able to choose
or adapt activities to suit all children in the primary school.
THE POSTER
This poster is designed to give a strong warning about the danger of
mines. It provides eight information sections on different types of mines
and UXOs. There is also information such as phone numbers and who to call
to report mines.
The information sections show on the left side what the mine/UXO actually
looks like. On the right side there is an illustration of where it may be
found.
When introducing this poster and these eight scenarios, it is important
to point out to the children that these situations are only examples of
where these objects may be found. Initiate discussion on other likely
situations so that the children are actively thinking about the presence
of mines/UXOs and the dangers of them.
Possible discussion topics:
- Where else do you think this mine may have been laid?
- This mine has been designed to explode when there is a weight on
it;
where do you think it may be laid?
- Booby traps are placed in things that people would pick up
automatically. What things can you think of that may be booby trapped?
- Should weapons be kept at home when the fighting has stopped? Why/why
not?
THE LEAFLET
As the leaflet has both a puzzle and technical information, it could be
utilised for a variety of activities. As a result of reading the leaflet,
children should be able to recognise the most common types of mines and
UXOs, will know where these explosives are likely to be found and know
who to contact if they should see any explosives like these.
The leaflet can be used for comprehension activities, as a catalyst for
story telling and to stimulate the children's observation skills.
- Have one child look at the closed leaflet picture (without mines).
Another child looks at the open leaflet picture and then describes as
accurately as possible where the mines are. The first child draws them in
according to the description. (This extends the childrens listening
skills, observation skills, vocabulary and comprehension.)
- Allow the children to look at the open leaflet picture (with mines)
for
twenty seconds. Ask them to close the leaflets, wait for thirty seconds
and then draw the placement and type of the mines on the outside picture.
(This extends comprehension skills.)
The leaflet should be sent home with the children after the comprehension
activities have been completed. This helps to disseminate information
into the general community.
GAMES
Snakes and Ladders
This game is played by throwing a die and moving the number of squares
stipulated by the throw. If the player lands on a square with writing on
it, the scenario should be read out to all the players. The child then
follows either the snake or the ladder. The game can be played by four to
six children if it is a board game or by six to ten children if it is on
a larger plastic sheet. The game is won by the first child who reaches
the ultimate square.
This game is designed to give both positive and negative messages about
mines. Because of the format it is possible to describe scenarios that
the children should not follow as well as scenarios that they should
follow. Landing on a negative scenario means sliding down the snake to a
negative consequence. Landing on a positive scenario means climbing the
ladder to a positive consequence (and getting closer to the finish). This
format allows the messages to be passed without the possibility of
misinterpreting the message.
Memory game
Two identical sets of picture cards. The face of the cards show types of
mines/UXOs. The cards are thoroughly shuffled and spread out on the table
face down.
The first player turns one card up and then a second card. If the two
cards match (have the same picture) then the child takes that pair. If
the cards do not match, both cards are turned face down again (in the
same place on the table). The next child has a turn.
The idea is that the children must remember which position the cards are
in so that as the game progresses they can make the matches more easily.
This game is useful for recognising types of mines/UXOs.
Match and Win
A set of picture cards. Half the cards have pictures showing scenarios
regarding what to do with explosives or mines (either negative or
positive). The other half show the consequences of the scenarios.
The game is played the same way as Memory.
Jigsaw
The jigsaw is a board-size version of the poster. It can be played by a
single child or a small group of children.
PICTURE SEQUENCE
This is a simple set of pictures that tell a story. The children are
asked to put the pictures in the correct order to tell the story. This is
especially useful for children who are not yet independent readers.
PUPILS ACTIVITY BOOKLET
This booklet has a range of activities that can be used either as part of
a lesson or as fill-insthings to do if they have finished other school
work early. It is self-directed and does not need correction by the
teacher. The elements in the book are designed to reinforce the messages
given more formally about mines and UXOs.