In Flanders Fields Sensory Story

A Multi-Sensory Approach To Remembrance Day.

This is a suggested multi-sensory story approach to using the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John Mcrae in class with SLD or PMLD pupils.

The language used does not lend itself to being a sensory story as such. What I have done is to identify the key themes of the poem. The multi-sensory resources are then used to reinforce the emotions and energy of the poem. 

This poem is often used for Remembrance Day (November the 11th) lessons, hopefully this gives you some ideas to use it with your sensory learners. The core themes that make this sensory story relevant for our pupils are:

  • War
  • Peace
  • Loud 
  • Quiet
  • Loss
  • Warm
  • Cold
  • Calm
  • Energy/Movement

In Flanders Fields Sensory Story.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
(Red petals or material waving, fan blowing gently, make poppies to hang and watch in the breeze.)
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
(Lark sound effect, if feeling clever fade and replace with guns, blue material for sky)
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
(Bass sounds on resonance board, wobble board)

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
(warm orange light, hand warmers)
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
(Cold wet brown towels or damp earth)

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
(push/pull movement action, battle sound effect, flame video or throw up brown, black tissue)
To you from failing hands we throw
(tiredness, slump body, hold hands with friends)
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
(Lie rest, relax, sound effect of wind in grass)

In flanders fields sensory story PMLD

WW2 Sensory Stories

You might feel that these other sensory stories are useful for your class.

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