Primary School Learning Programme
Wakefield Museums and Castles Sessions for Schools September 2017 - July 2018
www.wakefield.gov.uk http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Our programme uses the museums’ rich collections, local landmarks and history to School create memorable and interactive learning experiences. All sessions are flexible and can Learning be adapted to meet your needs. If you don’t find the topic you are looking for, just let us know. We always welcome Programme suggestions for new topics and ways to help you. We look forward to welcoming you and your We can help you pupils. bring excitement to For enquiries or more information, please email: [email protected] learning! Information about our existing workshops,
School Learning Programme news sessions and ‘Specials Weeks’ will be shown on our learning blog: http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/
Workshop costs £58 for workshops delivered at one of our sites £112 for ‘special’ sessions (such as those lasting 4 hours plus) £102 for workshops delivered in-school (£153 for two, or £179 for three sessions run in one day) Book 5 sessions in a school year and get a 6th free (if all booked at the same time.
The workshops will be invoiced at the time of booking to be paid in advance) Free Sessions! We often offer free pilots for new sessions on a first-come, first-served basis. This is to enable us to refine the content prior to general release, so it is a condition of taking up a free session that you are willing to give us detailed feedback and take part in promotional photography as necessary. To be sure of hearing about free pilots on offer, sign up to our teachers’ mailing list by emailing [email protected]
September 2017 - July 2018 Sessions for Schools 2 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ About Us
Wakefield Museum Pontefract Museum Outreach Burton Street Salter Row We can bring the museum to you! Wakefield Pontefract Many of our workshops are also WF1 2DD WF8 1BA offered as Outreach, at a time and date to suit you - and most Follow the themes of wealth and Pontefract Museum is situated can be adapted to fit in with your power, hardship and hope, passion in Pontefract town centre and timetable. and belief, love and war, work and is packed full of life, history and home. artefacts tracing the history of the We do recommend visiting the growth of Pontefract Town, from museum for your workshops Plus, discover the extraordinary life whenever possible, but understand of Charles Waterton, a pioneering medieval times to the Civil War, to working in the liquorice factories, that this isn’t always practical, so Victorian eco-warrior, explorer and we are happy to come to you. Yorkshireman. to life in a workhouse; and a room dedicated to the local glass See individual workshop listings for industry. sessions available in-school. Castleford Museum The museum also has a research Please note that Outreach Carlton Street room, for investigating all things sessions are usually only available Castleford Pontefract, and a programme to schools within the Wakefield WF10 1BB of temporary exhibitions. The district. If yours is located further museum is a short walk from afield please contact us directly at From an Iron Age chariot to a Pontefract Castle. museumslearning@wakefield. Roman’s hobnail sandal, not gov.uk to enquire – we may forgetting marbles, rugby, mining be able to help depending on and pottery! The museum invites Pontefract Castle distance/timings. visitors to follow the history of Castle Chain Castleford from the Bronze Age to Pontefract the modern day. WF8 1QH The early life of Henry Moore, one of Castleford’s most famous sons, Known as the Key to the North, is explored using objects from the this Royal Castle was once one beginning of his career as a world of the most important fortresses famous artist. in the country. It was frequently at the centre of national events, acting as fortress and temporary home for lords and kings. It was also a prison and armoury up to its demolition in 1649. You can visit the underground dungeon cut out of the solid rock and see where Civil War prisoners carved their names into the cell walls. The castle is a short walk from Pontefract Museum.
3 These resources are available FREE of charge to Nursery and Early Years groups making Nursery self-led visits to our museum and castle sites from September 2017, but booking and Early is essential. If you would like to use the resources please notify us at least a week before your planned visit to make the request Years and to tell us which site you wish to visit, the date and time of your visit and the number and age of the children in your group. You can New for September contact us at 2017! [email protected] . Sign up to our mailing list using the email School Learning Programme Let Charlie Bear help you make the most of address above to hear about new museum-led your self-led visit to Wakefield, Castleford or sessions for Nursery and Early Years groups Pontefract Museum! later in the year. We have developed a special set of resources featuring our charming historic teddy bear which can be used by Nursery and Early Years groups when making self-led visits to our museums. Through these resources Charlie Bear’s character provides ideas and suggests activities to help children engage with and explore the museum displays using themes such as shape, colour, number, size, sound and texture. Charlie’s friend Ilbert the Dragon takes over
at Pontefract Castle with his own set of resources designed to help Nursery and Early Years pupils explore and understand concepts such as new and old, big and small, near and far. September 2017 - July 2018 Sessions for Schools 4 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Special Educational Needs
We currently offer 4 core SEN sessions on the following topics: The Rainforest – Wakefield Museum or in school The Tudors – Wakefield Museum, Pontefract Museum or in school The Romans – Castleford Museum or in school Life in a Medieval Castle – Pontefract Castle or in school
These interactive, multi-sensory sessions can all be tailored with regards to content, activities and duration to best suit your pupils’ particular needs. We can also make preliminary visits to meet pupils in advance and introduce topics before the main workshop date. Please contact us to discuss your requirements by emailing [email protected] . If there is another topic that you think we might be able to support you in teaching please get in touch. We are very keen to expand our We really enjoyed The SEN provision and to develop new workshops. New sessions will be piloted free of charge in Romans workshop. Thanks for all exchange for teacher input and feedback. If of the information you shared and you are interested in helping us develop a new for the brilliant, engaging activities session, we would be glad to hear from you. you planned and delivered to the children. Kingsland Primary School
5 Contents Reception – Key Stage 1 William’s Castle 7
Key Stage 1 Create a Castle Story 8 How Did We Live in the Past? 9 Toys of the Past 10 Habitats, Birds and Charles Waterton 11
Key Stage 1 and 2 Time to Prepare the Castle 12
Key Stage 2 Who was Charles Waterton? 13 Egyptian Artefacts 14 The Romans in Castleford 15 Anglo-Saxon Village 16 Vikings! 17 Animation Creation 18 Greek pots 19 1940’s housewife 20 Medieval Food 21 Pontefract Castle: Site Tour and Poetry 22 Fact or Fiction: Shakespeare and the Battle of Wakefield 23 Voting for Change: Pontefract’s Secret Ballot 24 Iron Age Chariot 25 Industrial Wakefield 26 Featherstone Past 27 The Value of Money 28 Stepping into Stoneage 29 Bronze Age Beakers 30 Fascinating Fossils! 31 Enquire, Discover and Film! 32 Deconstructing the Castle 33 The British Civil War: Sieges in Pontefract 34 Skeleton Secrets: Investigating Ancient Bones 35
Other Services for Schools 36 How to Book 36
6 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ William’s Castle Notes
Key Stage: Reception – Key Stage 1 Links to history, literacy and speaking and listening skills are developed throughout this workshop.
Who used to live in a castle? What was it like living here? These sessions offer our younger visitors a chance to get creative whilst discovering the topic of Castles. It is a stimulating mix of looking, listening, talking and storytelling. Children will experience what castle life was like through looking at costume, objects and listening to William’s story. Workshop includes: • An interactive storytelling session • Object handling • Presentation of site images Duration: 1 hour 30 min Venue: Pontefract Castle or in school You can extend your visit to the castle by taking a self-led look around or guided tour after your workshop – just ask a member of the team for more details.
Informative, fun and hands on for our children – thank you. Ledger Lane Academy
7 Create a Castle Story Notes
Key Stage: 1 Links to history, drama, literacy and speaking and listening skills are developed throughout this workshop.
Can your pupils imagine they are dragons? What story will pupils create about the castle? You are inside your dragon egg. You can hear strange noises all around. Get ready to hatch and take a journey with us around Pontefract Castle to discover what life was like here in medieval times. Using imagination and enquiry skills we will assist pupils to create their own castle story by using drama, literacy and historical investigation. Workshop includes: • An interactive story creating session • Object handling • Site tour Duration: 2 hours Venue: Pontefract Castle You can extend your visit to the castle by taking a self-led look around or guided tour after your workshop – just ask a member of the team for more details.
8 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ How Did We Live in The Past? Notes
Key Stage: 1 Links to history, drama (role-play) and speaking and listening skills are developed throughout the workshop.
How did people live in Victorian Wakefield? How are household chores different today? What ‘gadgets’ did people use? Pupils will meet Anne Dixon, Victorian resident of 126 Nelson Street, Wakefield, who will discuss her daily routine at home. Pupils will be encouraged to examine mystery Victorian household objects and help Anne in her chores to discover how people used to live in Wakefield.
Workshop includes: • Role-play • Object handling of original artefacts • Become an object detective - examine objects to discover their hidden secrets Duration: 1 hour 30 min Venue: Wakefield Museum
The workshop was very well organised and enjoyable . Girnhill Infant School
9 Toys of the Past Notes
Key Stage: 1 Links to history, science (materials) and speaking and listening are developed throughout this workshop.
What sorts of toys did children play with in the past century? What materials were they made out of? How did they work? This session is an excellent introduction to learning about the past, with the opportunity to handle real and replica toys from the last 100 years. Explore the roles that toys play in people’s lives, discover the materials toys have been made from over the years and learn how to estimate the age of old toys.
Workshop includes: • Handling original and replica objects • Developing thinking, listening and questioning skills • Learning through play Duration: 1 hour 30 min on site or 1 hour 15 min in school Venue: Wakefield Museum or in school
Workshop leader was fantastic! Children were engaged throughout. Cobblers Lane Primary
10 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Habitats, Birds and Charles Waterton Notes
Key Stage: 1 Links to science, habitats, local history, geography and literacy are developed throughout this workshop.
Why should we care about wildlife habitats? How does the life of Charles Waterton link to habitats? What do we do that Charles Waterton did over 150 years ago? Wakefield man, Charles Waterton, was a great Victorian naturalist. His ideas may have been perceived as eccentric in his time, but are now seen as forward thinking. We will look at why this man is important to us locally and within the wider world. Along with discussion about Waterton’s life, pupils will have the opportunity to create a tempting treat to attract birds to your school grounds. You can then become ‘mini Watertons’ and observe what species of bird you can attract. Workshop includes: • Learning about the animals and birds Charles Waterton came across in the rainforest and at home • Finding out about habitats • Introduction to explorer Charles Waterton • Make a cereal birdfeeder
Duration: 1 hour 30 min on site or 1 hour in school Venue: Wakefield Museum A great start to our topic about or in school Charles Waterton. All the children want to learn more. Snapethorpe Primary School 11 Time to Prepare the Castle Notes
Key Stage: 1 and 2 Links to history, science (materials) and speaking and listening are developed throughout this workshop.
The castle is due to receive a royal visitor – is your class up to the task? What should we get ready for our very special guest? This session mixes enquiry with problem solving whilst pupils work together as a team. Your class will receive a letter requesting their help – an unexpected visit from a member of the Royal Tudor household is due any day. You will choose, before your visit, the activities your pupils will undertake to help our Tudor servants get the castle ready in time. This workshop will be both morning and afternoon so you will need to bring lunch. If the weather is nice, you are welcome to picnic on site, if not we will be using our learning space for lunch. Workshop includes: • Handling replica objects • Hands-on activities such as making butter, quill writing menus, making sweet meats, blackwork etc. • Developing thinking, listening and questioning skills • Learning through play Duration: 4 hours 30 min (lunch break at castle site part way through - lunch not provided) Venue: Pontefract Castle
12 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Who was Charles Waterton? Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to science, habitats, local history, geography and literacy are developed throughout this workshop.
What links Wakefield to the rainforests of Guyana? Why is Charles Waterton important to Wakefield’s past? What connects a donkey, a diary and a wall with Charles Waterton? Wakefield man, Charles Waterton, was a great Victorian naturalist. From his travels to South America to his life at home in Walton, Wakefield we will look at why this man is important to us locally and within the wider world. Along with discussion about Waterton’s life, pupils will have the opportunity to see pages from his diaries and have a go at writing with a quill and ink. Workshop includes: • Learning about animals and birds Charles Waterton came across in the rainforest and at home • Finding out about medical experiments with wourali poison • Introduction to explorer Charles Waterton • Writing with a quill Duration: 1 hour 30 min on site or 1 hour in school Venue: Wakefield Museum or in school
A very knowledgeable and engaging workshop! Wrenthorpe Academy
13 Egyptian Artefacts Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to art and design, literacy and history are developed throughout this workshop.
Why do we have Egyptian artefacts in the Wakefield Museums’ collections? What can these artefacts tell us? Pupils will learn how our collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts came to be in Wakefield thanks to two Victorian men called William. Working in small groups they will then take a close look at some of these amazing artefacts, trying to determine what they are and what they reveal about life and death in ancient Egypt. Pupils will also learn about some of the Egyptian gods and goddesses portrayed on the artefacts and design and name Egyptian style gods and goddesses of their very own! Workshop includes: • Examining real Egyptian artefacts • Identifying objects from the past • Drawing gods/goddesses • Writing names in hieroglyphs Duration: 1 hour 15 min Venue: Wakefield Museum or in school The instructor was very enthusiastic This workshop may be used to and knowledgeable. She held the support your Arts Award and Artsmark children’s interest well. projects. Altofts Junior School
14 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ The Romans in Castleford Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to history, literacy and speaking and listening skills are developed throughout this workshop.
Why did the Romans settle in what is now modern day Castleford? What was life like in the Roman town? What evidence did the Romans leave behind? We have made a few modifications to The Romans in Castleford, making the session even more interactive and engaging than before! Through a series of multi-sensory activities pupils will discover some of the sights, sounds and smells of Roman Castleford. They will learn why the Romans established a settlement here, how the settlement grew into an important centre for travel and trade and how the objects that the Romans left behind can tell us what life was like in the town 2000 years ago. Workshop includes: • Listening and discussion skills • Multi-sensory ‘experimental archaeology’ activities A lovely workshop. The leader had super subject knowledge. • Handling real and replica Roman objects Rook’s Nest Academy • Identifying objects and drawing conclusions • Working cooperatively in groups Duration: 1 hour 15 min Venue: Castleford Museum or in school
15 Anglo-Saxon Village Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to local history, drama and speaking and listening skills are developed throughout this workshop.
Could your pupils survive a year as Anglo-Saxons? Divided into families, pupils will have to work together in order to settle disputes and trade goods in order to survive. Pupils will develop a sense of community through organisation and problem-solving, developing an empathy with people from the past. Workshop includes: • Role-play and costumes • Object handling (replicas) • Problem-solving Duration: 2 hours Venue: Wakefield Museum or in school
A fantastic morning for the children to help bring their topic alive! Very well organised and carried out! Towngate Primary School
16 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Vikings Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to local history, geography and literacy are developed throughout this workshop.
A log boat, a spoon and a piece of pottery – what do these objects tell us about Vikings in the district? From a simple hair comb to a boat that crossed the Calder - pupils will look at trade, transport and domestic life in the Viking era. Handling replica Viking objects and viewing a real Viking age log boat, pupils will discuss the significance that each item would have had to villagers of the time. Pupils will discover the history behind the log boat from Stanley Ferry, learn how objects in museum collections can tell us about the past and develop empathy with people from the past. Workshop includes: • Study a Viking era log boat • Use local area maps • Learn a Viking game • Handle replica objects Duration: 1 hour 30 min Venue: Wakefield Museum
All of the children enjoyed the workshop. It was well resourced and organised. Sandal Magna Community Academy
17 Animation Creation Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to history, literacy, computing and speaking and listening skills are developed throughout this workshop.
How digitally creative can your pupils get? Which piece of a picture will they develop into a bigger story? Will the caiman get his revenge or the nondescript come to life? These sessions offer pupils the chance to be creative with digital technology. Using the Waterton collection and the life of a Victorian explorer as inspiration, pupils will create a short piece of digital animation (on iPads) about rainforests and the animals that live in them. Workshop includes: • Use an image to springboard enquiry • Digital creativity • Opportunity to reflect on work created Duration: 2 hours maximum on site or 1 hour 15 min in school Venue: Wakefield Museum or in school
This workshop may be used to support your Arts Award and Artsmark projects.
18 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Greek Pots Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to history, literacy and art and design are developed throughout this workshop.
What can a piece of pottery tell us about the past? What were the names the Greeks gave to different pots? Pupils will investigate what uses different types of pots had in Ancient Greek society. Pupils will discover how we can find out what life was like through the images on pottery. There are two options for your pupils’ activity: Option 1 - With ancient objects to inspire them, pupils will use their senses and enquiry skills to create personification poems. Option 2 – handling ancient objects pupils will undertake a curatorial role to create a condition check of our objects. Workshop includes: • Handling real and replica objects • Discussion and visual enquiry • Sensory enquiry • Creation of poetry OR completion of object record form. Please advise at time of booking which option you would like. Duration: 1 hour 15 min Venue: Wakefield Museum or in school
Very informative and engaging, gave the children opportunities that they would not normally have. Flanshaw J&I 19 1940s Housewife Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to local history, history (significant event - WW2), literacy and art and design are developed throughout this workshop.
How did WW2 affect people at home in England? How did rationing affect daily life? How does our diet today compare with that of people under rationing? Meet our WW2 housewife in this workshop focusing on food and rationing. Pupils will have the chance to handle ration books and other objects from the 1940s and find out what life was like for children living in Wakefield during the war. Workshop includes: • Designing a Dig for Victory garden to scale • Object handling • Devising a menu on rations Duration: 1 hour 30 min on site or 1 hour in school Venue: Wakefield Museum or in school
A fantastic morning that was thoroughly enjoyable for both staff and pupils. Park Junior Academy
20 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Medieval Food Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to science and history are developed throughout the workshop.
What sort of food did medieval people eat? What is a balanced diet? How can we make food more interesting? Looking at food and ingredients available in the medieval era, this KS2 session has been designed to encourage thinking about eating choices in a non-confrontational manner. The cross-curricular workshop allows pupils to connect with the past as they meet ‘Bess’, a medieval woman helping the sick in the village where she lives, and gain hands-on experience making a real historic (no-cook) recipe. Workshop includes: • Discussion on food availability • Designing a balanced diet with limited resources • Recreate a medieval recipe • Empathy with a character from the past Duration: 1 hour Venue: Pontefract Castle or in school You can extend your visit to the castle by taking a self-led look around or guided tour after your workshop - just ask a member of the team for more details.
Very knowledgeable leader. Hands on which the children enjoyed. Badsworth CofE Infant & Junior School 21 Pontefract Castle: Site Tour and Poetry Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to local history, geography and literacy are developed throughout this workshop.
Who used to live in a castle? What was it like living here? Using the ruins of Pontefract Castle and historic objects from the collections, pupils will create a short poem about the history of the site. This session includes approximately 1 hour spent touring the site in order to collect information and inspire poems about the day- to-day life of those who lived and worked in the castle in the past and the historic events that took place here. Workshop includes: • A guided tour of Pontefract Castle • An understanding of how people used to live • Creation of poetry Duration: 2 hours Venue: Pontefract Castle You can extend your visit to the castle by taking a self-led look around after your workshop – just ask a member of the team for more details.
22 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Fact or Fiction: Shakespeare and the Battle of Wakefield Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to local history, national events in history, literacy and drama are developed throughout this workshop.
What was the Battle of Wakefield? Why was it such an important battle? What did Shakespeare write about it and how much of what he wrote was true? In this fun and engaging workshop pupils will ‘perform’ excerpts from Henry VI, Part III in which Shakespeare wrote about the Battle of Wakefield. They will discover how much of Shakespeare’s account is factual, how much is fictional and consider why Shakespeare’s version might not have been entirely true. Was he taught incorrect facts himself? Did the queen force him to tell untruths, or was he simply spinning a good yarn? Pupils will then work in small groups to write short ‘poems of defence’ in the character of the Bard explaining why his account of the battle is more fiction than fact. Workshop includes: • Learning about the Battle of Wakefield – a local event of national importance • Speaking aloud and performing • Considering the factors that influenced Shakespeare’s writing • Creating group poems Duration: 1 hour 30 min Venue: Wakefield Museum or in school Both self-guided and museum-led visits to Sandal The workshop was educational and fun. The Castle, where the Battle of Wakefield took place, pupils enjoyed being involved in the activities. are possible. Please email museumslearning@ The session linked the Battle of Wakefield with our own school. wakefield.gov.uk for more information. Crofton Junior School 23 Voting for Change: Pontefract’s Secret Ballot Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to local history, national events in history, art and PSHE are developed throughout this workshop.
How did the first secret ballot election for an MP come to be held in Pontefract? Why was the secret ballot system needed? What were the key events of the election? The first secret ballot vote for an MP in Britain took place in Pontefract in 1872. Before this, people had to state in public who they were voting for meaning that the election process was open to corruption. In this interactive workshop pupils will use props, historic texts and our specially commissioned comic book about the Pontefract Secret Ballot to discover the amazing, humorous and shocking events of the election. They will then create their own comic book style images to illustrate their favourite moments from the story of the secret ballot. Original ballot boxes from the 1872 election are on display at Pontefract and Wakefield Museums. Classes who come to either museum for this workshop will have the opportunity to see them. Workshop includes: • Learning the story of the Pontefract Secret Ballot – a local event of national importance • Using historic and modern texts to learn about the past • Engaging in discussion about a historic event and its legacy • Creating artwork inspired by history Duration: 1 hour 15 min Venue: Pontefract Museum, Wakefield Museum or in school 24 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Iron Age Chariot Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to local history, science and art and design are developed throughout this workshop.
What is the Ferry Fryston chariot?
What secrets does it reveal about the Iron Age in our area?
Can you work cooperatively to design a model chariot using simple materials? Using the remains of an Iron Age chariot burial on display at Castleford Museum for inspiration, pupils will be encouraged to think about the history behind the chariot. In groups pupils will design, build, test and refine their own model chariots using resources provided in a given time frame. These models may be taken back to school for further modification and refinement. Workshop includes: • Discussion of the Iron Age Chariot • Design and construction of a model chariot • Testing and improving on designs • Opportunity to reflect on work created Duration: 1 hour 30 min Venue: Castleford Museum or in school
The workshop leader was well organised and led the session brilliantly. It was fascinating! Sandal Magna Community Academy
25 Industrial Wakefield Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to local history and literacy are developed throughout this workshop.
Who lived and worked in Wakefield? Which industries were common here? How has the local area changed over the past 100 years? Pupils will take a look at Wakefield’s industrial heritage - past and present - using old photographs, maps and census records to gain an insight into the professions of Wakefield’s past inhabitants and relate this information to life in Wakefield in the present day. Workshop includes: • Discussion of Wakefield’s industrial heritage • Using copies of old photos and maps • Using census records • Relating information discovered to the present day Duration: 1 hour 45 mins Venue: Wakefield Museum
Lovely leader with fantastic subject knowledge and a fantastic manner with pupils. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Castleford
26 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Featherstone Past Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to local history, geography and literacy are developed throughout this workshop.
Who lived and worked in Featherstone? How did the town develop? How has the local area changed over the past 100 years? Pupils will take a look at Featherstone’s heritage using old photographs, maps and census records to gain an insight into the professions of past inhabitants and relate this information to life in Featherstone in the present day. Workshop includes: • Discussion of Featherstone’s mining heritage • Using copies of old maps • Object handling • Using census records • Relating information discovered to the present day Duration: 1 hour 30 min Venue: Pontefract Museum or in school This session can be adapted to other areas such as Horbury, Ossett, Pontefract, Hemsworth and Castleford to fit into your local studies topic. The museum visited would differ depending on the area of your school – for Horbury & Ossett schools it would be Wakefield Museum, for Pontefract or Hemsworth schools, Pontefract Museum and for Castleford schools, Castleford Museum. Or the session can be delivered in school.
27 The Value of Money Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to history, numeracy, science, literacy and speaking and listening skills are developed throughout this workshop.
Why is money important to us? How do we put a value on items and why? Was money in the past as important? Did you know that during the Civil Wars, coins were minted at Pontefract Castle? This session will help pupils develop an awareness of monetary concepts. Through practical activities and questioning we will assist pupils to understand the importance money has played and the value placed on money in historic and current societies. Using coins from the collections as tools for enquiry, pupils will get hands-on with the past. Workshop includes: • Object handling • Using enquiry skills • Group discussion Duration: 2 hours Venue: Pontefract Castle or Pontefract Museum. You can extend your visit to the castle by taking a self-led look around or guided tour after your workshop – just ask a member of the team for more details. Please Note: The content and delivery of this workshop may change slightly in response to the feedback collected through the pilot process. An up-to-date Teachers’ 28 Pack will be sent on booking. http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Stepping Into the Stone Age Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to history and science are developed throughout this workshop.
How long ago did the Stone Age happen? What can Stone Age artefacts reveal about life and the environment thousands of years ago? How were Stone Age tools made and how similar are they to the tools of today? Pupils will create a human time line to illustrate just how long ago the Stone Age started – and how very long it lasted. They will imagine what the environment in West Yorkshire would have been like so many millennia ago and learn how the people of the time would have relied entirely on nature for their survival. Pupils will get to touch real Stone Age artefacts and work in small groups to identify how the tools were made, used and how they compare to the tools of today. Workshop includes: The children were engaged throughout the session and intrigued by the • Making a chronological timeline artefacts. They asked lots of questions • Understanding the environment and wanted the workshop leader to of the Stone Age stay longer and answer lots more. • Touching real prehistoric artefacts Horbury Bridge Academy • Understanding how Stone Age tools were made, used and how necessary they were to survival Duration: 1 hour 30 min Venue: Wakefield Museum, Castleford Museum or in school.
29 Bronze Age Beakers Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to history and science are developed throughout this workshop.
How can archaeologists tell how old a piece of pottery is just by looking at it? How did Bronze Age people decorate their characteristic pots using materials from nature? In this workshop pupils will learn how archaeologists can tell how old a piece of pottery is simply by the way it looks. They will focus on Bronze Age pottery in particular, first examining images that illustrate the characteristic patterns used to decorate Bronze Age pots then designing and making their own Bronze Age style beakers using the sorts of natural decorating tools that the Bronze Age potters themselves might have used including sticks, stems and seed! Workshop includes: • Learning how pottery from the past can be dated • Looking at photographs of Bronze Age pots • Designing and making clay pots in the style of Bronze Age beakers Duration: 1 hour 30 min The children really enjoyed the whole Venue: Wakefield Museum, Castleford workshop, especially the hands-on Museum or in school. element of making the clay pots. This workshop may be used to support St Michael’s Academy your Arts Award and Artsmark projects.
30 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Fascinating Fossils! Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to science, history and art and design are developed in this session.
How are fossils formed? What can they tell us about the prehistoric world? What ancient creatures might still be out there in fossil form just waiting to be discovered? First pupils will learn through an interactive demonstration how and why fossils form. Working in small groups they will handle and categorise a range of real fossils and consider what these ancient objects can teach us about the prehistoric world and its links with the present day. Pupils will next consider what sorts of ancient fossils might still be undiscovered then use their imaginations to design their own ‘prehistoric creatures’ and model their ‘fossils’ in clay.
Workshop includes: • Interactive science demonstration • Handling and categorising real fossils • Designing imaginary prehistoric creatures and making clay ‘fossils’ Duration: 1 hour 30 min Venue: Wakefield Museum, Castleford Museum or in school An excellent workshop This workshop may be used to with very good information support your Arts Award and provided in the teacher’s pack. Artsmark projects. Greenhill Primary School
31 Enquire, Discover and Film! Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to history, literacy, computing skills and speaking and listening skills are developed throughout this workshop.
This session can fit almost any topic you are studying! Can your pupils come to a conclusion about at hypothesis posed to them? Will they agree or disagree once they have looked at the evidence? This session allows pupils to use Wakefield Museums’ collections as a focus for enquiry along with up-to-date technology (iPads) to record their findings. The objects used for enquiry can be chosen to link to the topics/themes being taught at school - let us know your topic and we will search the collections for appropriate objects for your pupils to focus their enquiries on. Pupils will be given a ‘big question’ to consider, related objects for research and iPads to record the process. They will use an app to create short digital presentations in which they try to answer the ‘big question’. Each film will be watched by the group and positive critique will be offered. All work will be transferred to disc for further use in school. Workshop includes: • Object handling • Hands-on technology work • Group discussion Duration: 4 hours (lunch break at museum/site part way through – lunch not provided) Venue: Wakefield Museum or Pontefract Castle Fantastic organization/resources/staff knowledge! Children were enthralled. Greenhill Primary School 32 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Deconstructing the Castle Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to history, art and design, drama, literacy and speaking and listening skills are developed throughout this workshop.
How was and is Pontefract Castle viewed by those who lived and visit here? Using images, maps and objects pupils will begin to develop their own picture of how important this site was – and is. Through visual and hands-on enquiry pupils will begin to understand how one site can be interpreted in many different ways. The session will be delivered at the castle and at Pontefract Museum.
Workshop includes: • Viewing different art works and images • Object handling • Site tour Duration: 4 hours (lunch break at castle site part way through – lunch not provided) Venue: Pontefract Castle and Pontefract Museum
33 The British Civil War: Sieges in Pontefract Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to local history, national events in history, literacy, geography and enquiry skills are developed throughout this session.
How do we know what happened locally? How would it feel to be a soldier in the castle during a siege? What evidence is left on-site? Join us at Pontefract Castle to imagine what life in the castle was like during a civil war siege. Pupils will meet our costumed staff and be given a tour of the site to orientate themselves. Your class will then be divided into groups to undertake four activities to learn more about life in the castle during the 1640s. This workshop will be both morning and afternoon so you will need to bring lunch. If the weather is nice you are welcome to picnic on site, if not we will be using our learning space for lunch. Workshop includes: • Object handling • Relating historical maps and diary entries to areas on site • Creating their own example of a siege coin • Developing empathy with a person from the past Duration: 4 hours 30 min (lunch break at castle part way through - lunch not provided) Venue: Pontefract Castle
34 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ Skeleton Secrets: Investigating Ancient Bones Notes
Key Stage: 2 Links to history and science with a healthy eating theme embedded throughout.
How can studying skeletons help us to understand what life was like in the past? What information can a person’s bones reveal about their health and lifestyle? This exciting workshop will transform your pupils into scientists as they learn about ancient bones and how to examine them. Pupils will first consider what archaeologists find when they discover ancient burials – what remains from the past and what has rotted away? Using a PowerPoint for guidance, pupils will next learn how to determine the age and gender of a skeleton as well as how to recognise signs of specific ailments and afflictions. Pupils will work in small groups to apply their learning, examining specially modified replica skeletons and drawing conclusions about what the bones reveal about the lives of these imaginary ancient people. Workshop includes: • Discovering how human bones can help archaeologists learn about the lives of past peoples • Recognising that what you eat can affect your bones • Investigating life-sized replica skeletons Duration: 2 hours Venue: Pontefract Castle You can extend your visit to the castle by A thoroughly enjoyable session. taking a self-led look around or guided tour The children liked examining the after your workshop – just ask a member skeletons. Huge thanks. The Vale Primary Academy of the team for more details. 35 Other How to bookNotes
To book a visit to any of Services for our sites, please email Schools [email protected] Before contacting us to book your visit please consider: Self-directed visits • Which sessions interest you Teachers are welcome to visit the museums and • Organising a preliminary visit the castles, organise their own activities and teach • Appropriate adult : child ratios groups in the galleries. Such visits are welcomed, • Potential visit dates but please do book in advance to avoid clashes • Consider extending your visit by taking a with other groups. self-led look around the museum/castle Please note, you may also wish to book a castle after your workshop or dungeon tour at Pontefract Castle. Please contact us for charges. We will need to know: • The number of pupils in your group Online resources • The age/ability of your pupils There are a number of online resources available • Any special needs at: http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/ • Topics you are studying Lunch Spaces • Your preferred arrival and departure time Please be aware that there are no dedicated lunch • Any other requirements spaces in our venues. You may be able to book a Once you have booked, you will be sent the space to eat your packed lunch on site, but please following documentation: enquire in advance. A small housekeeping charge • A booking form may be applied. • Arrival, departure and session times Fact-finding and preliminary visits • Session outline We are always happy to see teachers to talk • Information to help with your Risk Assessment through potential visits. Appointments can be made after school or during school holidays as Access for visitors with special needs: well as during the school day. When planning your visit, please discuss your needs with our staff who will be happy to help. Complementary events programme In addition to the schools programme, we run a range of fun and educational events for families. For more details please contact us to join the free family mailing list. [email protected] Designed and produced by Wakefield Council, Communications 07/17 Council, Wakefield 174739 Designed and produced by 36 http://museumslearning.blogspot.co.uk/