Prehistory : The Stone Age to the Iron Age Facilitated Visit, designed for children in Key Stage 2 groups:

Learning Objectives:

  • Use a range of sources and real artefacts to learn about changes in Britain during Prehistoric times.

  • Understand how humans used different natural materials in prehistoric Britain and note connections and contrasts over time.

  • Experience using tools and processes similar to those used by prehistoric people to build understanding of what life was like in the past.

  • Develop and use a wide range of vocabulary of everyday historical terms and terms relating to prehistory.

  • Continue to develop speaking and listening skills.

  • Ask and answer relevant questions about life in the past.

Activities during the day:

Morning In the morning 3 groups would usually rotate around these activities, spending approximately 30 mins on each:

Handling Prehistoric Tools. An object handling session led by our staff. This session provides an opportunity for learners to get hands on with real tools made and used by prehistoric people. We’ll think about how these tools might have been used and think about the material used to make them.  We’ll provide opportunities for sensory investigation, encourage learning through speaking and listening and encourage children to ask questions. This is led by our staff.

Pre-History Discovery Trail. This is a chance for children to explore the museum and continue to think about prehistory by looking at and talking about objects on display from the museum collection. This works best in if the group of approximately 10 are divided further into smaller groups so that groups are spread out throughout the museum and so that the adult leading the group and the children can explore, talk and listen together. Led by staff and adult helpers, with printed information and guidance provided by the Museum.

Experiencing using Stone Age flint tools. Children will be supplied with some (modern) vegetables to chop up, slice, scrape, and shape. Modern vegetables likely to be supplied include carrots and potatoes. Please inform us of any allergies. This session usually takes place outdoors and is led by our staff.

Afternoon In the afternoon 2 groups would swap between 2 of these activities, spending approximately 30 mins on each:

Creating portable art: Children will consider the materials they have available to them and look at examples of prehistoric Stone Age artwork created in a similar way to help them create a sketch before using a flint tool to scratch an artwork onto a small piece of slate that they can then take back to school. This is led by our staff.

OR Creating a clay beaker: Children will make and decorate a clay pot inspired by the Bronze Age beaker in the museum collection that was found locally in a Bronze Age burial. Children will use the clay coil technique to build the pot and use natural materials etc sticks to create patterns on the sides of the beaker.

Why were mammoths so important? A chance to think about how early Stone Age people used the resources available to them and think about how each part of a mammoth’s body could have been used. We’ll use an artist made jigsaw to ‘reveal’ parts of a mammoths body and refer to items from the museum collection.

At the end of the day, the whole group gathers, spending about 20 mins in total reviewing the day, what we have seen, done, talked about.

Curriculum links: History, Local History, Art and Design

Find out more about our Prehistory Remote Learning Package.