Year 5 Girls Learn the Value of Eyewitness Accounts

Imagine hearing a thrilling story given by someone who survived a devastating earthquake. Year 5 girls had that experience as they listened to Yifei, a Year 5 mother, share her story. She was a survivor of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China. It was heart-wrenching to hear her reflect on losing her best friend in the quake. Yifei spoke of the loud thunderous noise and crashing of TVs, lights and shelves as she sought refuge under a desk.

More unusual, this eye witness account, was translated by Yifei’s daughter Jiarui. What a wonderful way for the girls to learn the value of eyewitness accounts.

The girls made a number of reflections:

• ‘I was fascinated to discover that very few shops survived but people donated the little they had to people worse off than them.’ 
• ‘They had to sleep in the playground when it was freezing since all the buildings were unsafe.’ 
• ‘I learnt that the animals were able to sense the quake was coming.’ 
• ‘Toilet water was mixed with normal water so it was hard to find safe drinking water.’ 
• ‘People made irrational, but quick thinking decisions in an effort to save their life.’ 
• ‘The story was so very sad. I’m sorry Jiarui’s mum had to…witness peoples’ deaths.’ 

– Jan Falls
Year 5 Teacher