Dear Kitty…
Over the past few weeks, our class has been immersed in a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the life of Anne Frank. Using the beautifully illustrated book ‘Anne Frank’ by Josephine Poole and Angela Barrett as our starting point, we have deepened our understanding of this tragic yet inspiring period in history. Alongside our reading, we have watched a range of informative — and at times shocking — videos, used reputable online sources, and used co-constructed writing toolkits to produce authentic and meaningful pieces of writing.
Our first major writing task was to compose a pen-pal letter to Anne herself. This required the children to demonstrate not only their historical knowledge but also their ability to think critically and empathetically. They wrote thoughtfully about Anne’s experiences — from fleeing Nazi Germany to living in hiding in the secret annex — and posed heartfelt questions they would ask her if they had the chance. The level of compassion and insight shown in their writing was truly impressive.
Next, the children stepped fully into Anne’s shoes, writing in role as Anne Frank during the Nazi invasion of Amsterdam. This diary entry-style writing allowed them to explore her voice, fears, hopes and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. The pieces they produced were powerful and reflective, and many of them captured the emotional depth of Anne’s actual diary with remarkable authenticity.
I have been so impressed with the children’s engagement and curiosity throughout this unit. Their genuine interest in Anne’s story has driven them to go above and beyond — with some even choosing to read The Diary of Anne Frank as their reading book. A few pupils have also taken the initiative to write their piece of learning, including their own poems about Anne’s life, which they proudly shared in class.
This has been a deeply meaningful learning experience for all of us. It’s wonderful to see the children not only growing as writers but also developing a deeper sense of empathy and understanding of the world’s history.
