Paper Airplanes Day 2

The groups that came in today were a little noisier but had more questions for me. One girl talked to me for several minutes while the rest of the children were trying out their airplanes. I tried to answer her questions about World War II planes as best I could, but finally she said, "I would think if I came from the country I would know more about it."
I'm pretty sure she meant that she thought I should be more of an expert simply because I am American. She didn't say it in a snotty way, just like she couldn't believe I couldn't tell her more. I searched for an explanation and finally admitted that I didn't learn about World War II in this detail when I was in school. I've actually learned much more about it living here than I ever did in America.
I hope she will come back to the library to get answers to the rest of her questions.

More Wheelie Bin Drama

Both times we got information about our new wheelie bins, the literature suggested that we mark them with our house number. I wrote on them with permanent marker, and then we purchased "wheelie bin numbers" the other day, but as of this morning I hadn't put them on yet. (Wheelie bin numbers are large, easy-to-see stickers.)

Sanitation picked up recycling this morning, which we collect in the blue wheelie bin. When I went out for my run I noticed that sanitation had not replaced our wheelie bin in front of our flat. I walked down the sidewalk and found the wheelie bin with "21" written on it in permanent marker in front of flat 25. I grabbed it and started wheeling it back to my flat when the resident of 25 appeared behind the closed front window and started gesturing for me to stop taking his wheelie bin. I pointed and yelled until he got the message that this was actually my wheelie bin. Then I continued wheeling it home.

How come I only meet my neighbors when I'm lurking outside their flats taking wheelie bins?

Nota bene: The "wheelie bin numbers" got affixed this afternoon.

Here are some more pictures of paper airplanes. I have acquired markers and decorated them.

The Squadron

These are some of the paper airplanes I made today trying to find the design that looks the most like a WWII bomber.
































This one is called a bomber in the paper airplane book. And it is much harder to make than it looks. Took me probably an hour to figure out one of the steps.




















I created this design trying to make a plane with more defined wings.

Aeroplanes

I've had a busy couple of weeks but after yesterday's interview I don't have any more appointments this week. So that means getting down to business on planning programs to take to the schools with the Second Air Division Memorial Library.

I have read most of The Friendly Invasion and in the process have learned a great deal, gotten lots of ideas, and had a good time. My favorite passage so far:

Lt Jack Bryant recalls how very basic was the first pub he visited near his Sadbury base. "After partaking of various beverages over the course of the evening it was necessary to make use of a facility euphemistically called a "water closet". A closet it certainly was not. It was outside in the back of the building and consisted of a partially enclosed slate wall with a diagonal through at the base. There was no lighting because of blackout requirements and overcast clouds limited any natural light. It was not quite pitch black, but it was close to it. Two or three local customers were occupying the available space, facing the wall while I waited my turn. Then one of the Englishmen spoke to another beside him, showing a forbearance impossible for an American. What he said was, 'Pardon me old chap but you're urinating on my leg'." (pg 42-43)

One of my ideas is to talk about the bombers and escort planes used by the Americans flying from East Anglia and then have the kids make paper airplanes in a few different styles to represent the different types of planes. I visited the library to get some books on World War II planes and paper airplanes. It's a lot of work, but pretty fun so far.