Life in Prehistoric Britain

Key Stage: 2

National Curriculum Length of session: Subject Area/s: 1 hour and 30 minutes (KS2) History, Art and Design, potential for cross-curricular work Max group size: 32 pupils

Session outline Learning Outcomes

This session explores the changes in • Understanding that objects can give Britain from the Stone Age to the Bronze us information about how people Age. In this interactive session children lived and worked in the past. will: • Understanding more about the different kinds of materials used by • Discover how we can learn about craftsmen. people from this remote time before • Understanding that early people written history. were scientists, experimenting • Learn more about where with materials they found in their archaeologists find evidence about environment. the past. • Knowledge and understanding of using archaeological evidence to Activity 1: Evidence from objects learn about the past. • Improved understanding about this • Pupils will handle materials and remote period of history. artefacts used by Stone Age and • Improved speaking and listening Bronze Age people. They will work skills. as detectives to decide what the materials and objects might be and how they could be used.

• They will work in teams to solve a set of prehistoric challenges.

Activity 2: Gallery Hunt

• They will search the gallery for original artefacts to delvelop a better understanding of life in ancient times.

• They will design a torc inspired by jewellery in the European Prehistory Gallery.

Activity 3: Prehistoric Party • They will imagine what might happen at a Prehistoric celebration.

Education Department Ashmolean Museum Beaumont Street Oxford OX1 2PH T. 01865 278015 E. [email protected] www.ashmolean.org/learn Pre visit activities Post visit activities Resources

• Think about how we can find • Have a go at a range of The following resources are out more about people in prehistoric crafts: available to download on our Britain before written records. Make beaker style pots. website: Make simple looms and try out www.ashmolean.org/learning- • Find out if there are any weaving. resources prehistoric sites near to your Make simple baskets or mats. school. Visit if possible. • Images of some of the • Recreate a Bronze Age objects used in the session. community feast. • Films demonstrating Stone Age arts, crafts and • Create stories about technology. prehistoric life. Hold a group • Activity ideas for teachers to oral storytelling session. You download. could use pictures to help you remember your stories.

• Research prehistoric art and create your own.