VIKING Bow and Arrow

VIKING BOW AND

VIKINGS ARROW

Session Children will learn about Vikings tools and weapons. They will Focus create a model bow and arrow from sticks.

Resources RNIN EA G M L A Sticks, string, knives, tool gloves. Instructions (scroll down). R D O E O E Risk Assessments D A

T S

U Y Generic Site RA; Knife RA; Stick Activities RA.

O PIONEER SCHEME © PIONEER SCHEME SECTION OBJECTIVES Please note- this activity should only be carried out by those who are fully qualiﬁed, insured and experienced to LEVEL 7 facilitate tool use, including the use of knives with children. ASY E E D A Knife Policies and RAs for your setting should be in place M WELLBEING & • Displays growing empathy and G

N I EMOTIONAL and followed at all times.

N intuition.

CORE R VALUES

A INTELLIGENCE E

O D O T U SELF- • Shows a level of responsibility MANAGEMENT in self-management of their OF RISK own safety and care whilst Session Outline taking part in risky activities. • Ask your pupils what they already know about

ENVIRONMENTAL • Uses sustainable materials. The Vikings. Vikings used many weapons to defend LY FRIENDLY CORE VALUES CORE their villages and catch their food, including axes,

CREATIVITY & • Can verify their choices of swords, spears and bows & arrows. IMAGINATION materials and techniques. • Explain that they are going to learn how to make a simple bow and arrow with sticks. • Re-introduce them to the knife as per your Knife RESILIENCE & Understand that difficult • RA & policy, including knife law, tool gloves, use, PROBLEM situations are normal and they SOLVING can be overcome. handling and safety considerations. • Show them how to create their bow and their PHYSICAL & • Takes part in increasingly PRACTICAL challenging physical activities arrow in turn, referring to the instruction sheet OUTDOOR outdoors. OUTDOOR SKILLS SKILLS and any of your own personal experience for tips. OUTDOOR OUTDOOR SKILLS • Discuss together the risk-management for the use TOOL USE • Learns to whittle safely with a of the bows and arrows, group management and knife TOOL SKILLS TOOL TASKS also the use of the knives. KNOT SKILLS • Clove hitch, clove hitch on the • Depending on your groups abilities, experience and bight, overhand knot. helpers, split them into small groups with you KNOTS & LASHINGS SKILLS KNOTS & LASHINGS overseeing the whittling ensuring pupils are spaced • Displays an open mind during out, whilst the rest partake in practising and tying reflections. SESSION REFLECTIONS the knots to make the bows and creating the REVIEW & REFLECT targets. Swap pupils over once whittled. If you do not wish to use a knife, you could whittle with Curriculum Links peelers. • Depending on your setting’s policies, you may wish History: Learn about the Viking culture and the tools they used. to keep the bows and arrows (for display) or chop PSHE: Grow in self confidence and risk management; Understand the point off the arrows with loppers before safety in the outdoors; Persevere with new challenges. DT: Choose materials for task; Work safely and appropriately; allowing them to be taken home. Create designs that are effective and fit for purpose; Develop fine Differentiation: HA- Can whittle safely and manipulative skills with new techniques. effectively. LA- Hands on help with the technique. Literacy: Listen to and follow instructions with accuracy. PE: Take part in team challenges and games; practise improving aim Extension: Can you mark out a safe area and and accuracy. establish a safe target to aim at with your bow and arrows.

www.outdoorlearningmadeeasy.co.uk © VIKING BOW - Instructions

VIKINGS

You will need: 2 Sticks, string, knives, loppers/ secateurs, tool gloves, marker pen. Straight hard woods free from knots and side branches such as yew, ash, oak and maple which are dead and have dried out work best, however, as long as it doesn’t snap when you ﬂex it, it should be ok.

Instructions: 3 1. Cut your bow to between approx 60-200cm with the loopers/ secateurs. 2. Firstly, you need to find the belly and back of your bow. Stand your bow stick vertically and gently put some pressure on the top with your palm to see which way it naturally flexes. The outside of the bend is called the back and the inside the belly. Mark the centre of the belly side with a pen - this is where the hand-hold will be. Above the handhold is called the upper- limb and below is called the lower-limb. 3. Put the bottom tip of the bow back on the ground, hold the 3 top tip, and this time push slightly outward from the belly side of the handhold. Observe how the bow bends and note any areas that do not bend, then use a knife to slowly and carefully whittle small layers of wood from the stiff parts of the belly. Remember: Only remove wood from the belly side. 4 The goal is to get the limbs to bend in an even curve. 4. Next, Carve small notches on each tip on the belly side; they only need to deep enough to keep a bowstring in place. 6 5. Tie one end of your string to one notch using either a clove hitch or overhand knot. You may need someone to help flex your bow slightly whilst you tie the other end. 6. You can test the tiller of your bow by hanging the wood of the bow on a branch, and pulling the string downwards. Your bow should flex evenly and symmetrically. Whittle any parts of the belly that still do not flex. 7 7. You can always create wraps with string around your handhold if desired.

VIKINGS

You will need: Sticks, knives, loppers/ secateurs, hacksaws, tool gloves, 2 feathers, thin string or wire, duck tape. Straight hard woods free from knots and side branches such as yew, ash, oak and maple which are dead and have dried out work best, however, as long as it’s not too ﬂexible, it

Instructions: 3 1. Cut your arrow to between approx 20-30cm with the loopers/ secateurs. 2. Choose one end for the point and whittle gradually to a point using your knife. 3. At the other end, create a small notch carefully with a 5 knife or hacksaw- you may need adult help for this. 4. Next, decide if you want to create arrow fletching. Whilst this is not necessary, it may improve the flight of your arrow. 5. Duck tape can work very well and is relatively easy. 6. Alternatively, you could create a fletching by cutting 3 feathers, and fastening them with wraps using a very fine string or wire. 6 7. To fire your arrow, place the string of your bow into your arrow notch, pull back and fire into an open space/ safe target.

Never ﬁre your 6 7 arrow until an adult says it is safe to do so.