On Friday, December 19th, in Ms. Keenan’s 8th-grade class, students were able to go around the class to look at physical artifacts from World War I, which correlate to the book they are reading currently in class, All Quiet on the Western Front. The students were able to look at an actual gas mask and parcel (shown below). These items were owned by none other than Ms. Keenan’s great-grandfather to protect himself from gas while fighting during the war.

Above are framed photos, including one of an army award – the Croix de Guere, (Bottom left) which was given to honor soldiers for bravery. Another photo, shown on the bottom right, is a photo taken from the infirmary showing rows of men together, smiling while spending time together. The last picture is of training camps that were endured by the men who had been serving in the war at the time. 

The students were also able to see the helmet used as well during the war. (Fun fact: Soldiers would heat up the metal in their hats and cook coffee in them!)

These artifacts helped the class by teaching them the actual gear that the soldiers had to use. Later in the exhibit, pupils read letters that soldiers had sent to their families and loved ones, further expanding the knowledge of how the war had shaped the men.