Topic learning ideas for Term 5.

Topic: Journey Through the Ages.

During this topic, we explore the Stone Age through to the Bronze Age and then the Iron Age, looking at key characteristics of each time period and analysing the reasons for changes as humans developed more modern ways of life.

A really useful introduction to this topic would be to watch the movie “Early Man”. Please note, this movie is rated PG for “infrequent mild bad language” and “threat”. You could discuss afterwards which features of modern daily life did not exist in the Stone Age, such as electricity.

For this unit of learning, we have planned 5 sessions with the aim of covering one per week. There are also some more practical activities at the end of this document which you may like to do as well- please feel free to pick and choose from these. There are useful video clips throughout which would provide background knowledge for the children as they go along.

We are very hopeful that we can return to school before the end of the academic year and in this case, we would love to see what the children have created during their learning at home. So please save any completed work, if at all possible, and we will arrange an “art gallery” style session on our return. The children will be very keen to see what their friends have been learning!

If your child discovers an element of this topic which they particularly want to explore, please feel free to follow this interest and adapt the activities below. If they would rather carry out research about an aspect of the Stone Age and complete a Powerpoint presentation for example, this is fine! If you have any questions, as always, the teachers’ email addresses are on the main class pages so please feel free to get in touch.

Session 1: Order events on a timeline

First of all, watch this video clip about prehistoric Britain: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/clips/z2mfbk7.

Have a look at this timeline and discuss the meaning of “BC” and “AD”.

If you’re able to, print the worksheet attached for this session, cut out the events and order them on a timeline. If you do not have a working printer, perhaps your child could copy the events in the correct order on their own timeline.

Session 2: Cave painting.

For this session you will need paint, paper and natural materials such as leaves and twigs.

Today, during your daily exercise, see if you can gather some natural materials. Sticks/ twigs, flowers and leaves work well, as do small stones.

You are only allowed to use paint and natural items to create your pictures. NO paintbrushes- they didn't exist back then! Think carefully about what images to include in your paintings and keep them to a cave painting style. Which items could NOT be shown in these pictures?

We would really love to see your beautiful artwork! You can email us photos and/or save the paintings to show when we get back to school!

Session 3: Write a diary entry by a Stone Age person.

First of all, re-watch this video clip about prehistoric Britain to recap: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/clips/z2mfbk7.

Now, we’re moving on to the Stone Age. Before you watch this video, get some scrap paper and be ready to write down all the things that a Stone Age child like the ones in the clip might do during the day. https://www.bbc.com/teach/class-clips-video/history-ks2-middle-stone-age-animation/zvkg92p.

Discuss the way of life in the clip. Imagine the effort needed to hunt the deer for food or to carve a boat in order to go fishing. There were no supermarkets, no metal knives/ tools, no ovens etc. Where would their water come from and how would it get to their cave?

For today’s session, write a diary entry from the point of view of a Stone Age child. Remember the features of a diary entry:

Write in the past tense 1st person: “I” or “we”, NOT “they” Start with an approximate date and “Dear Diary” Write events in the correct chronological order

Session 4: Research the Amesbury Archer.

Today we’re going to be finding out how archaeologists use burial sites to find out about the past.

Look at this article about the Amesbury Archer: https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/our-work/amesbury-archer. You could discuss how archaeologists work/ what they do. You may even have a “dig your own fossils” kit at home.

Choose from the following activities:

Draw and label a picture of what you think the Amesbury Archer would have looked like. The article says that he was born in Central Europe, “most probably from what is now

Switzerland”. How do you think he travelled to Britain? You could write a few paragraphs describing his journey or even act it out! The video clip we used in session 3 could be useful here.

If you decide to become an archaeologist when you grow up, which part of the world would you travel to explore and why? What would you expect to find there? Draw and describe some of the treasures you would hope to find.

Session 5: Sunset picture of Stonehenge.

Today we are going to get creative! You can start off by watching this video to find out a bit about Stonehenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf7xwHFuH2o. You may also like to do some research about Stonehenge: the Teachers’ Kit here is very useful and contains interesting maps and information: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/siteassets/home/learn/teaching-resources/teachers-kits/stonehenge_teachers_kit_ks1-4.pdf

Today, have a go at creating sunset pictures of Stonehenge. If possible, try to use at least two different media to create your pictures, so that the background and Stonehenge itself are made from different materials. You could paint the background then cut up dark paper/ old magazines to add Stonehenge or use brightly coloured paper/ tissue/ fabric for the background and use paint to represent Stonehenge.

We would absolutely love to see your finished artwork! Here are some ideas to get you started. Most importantly, have fun!

Here are some additional ideas for learning about the Stone Age at home, if you would like to do more:

Try making your own version of Stonehenge from rocks or recycling in your garden. Stonehenge is believed to have been used as a calendar- can you see any patterns from tracking the shadows from your own Stonehenge?

Make a poster or tourism leaflet advertising Stonehenge. Try a Stone Age Maths problem here: https://nrich.maths.org/2472 Write a guide booklet or factsheet- “How to Survive in the Stone Age”. Make a stop motion animation about life in the Stone Age- you could use drawings, Lego,

playdough… Help to plan and cook a Stone Age meal. Hunter gatherers had very simple items available,

such as meats and fruits/ vegetables- nothing processed such as bread! If possible, with the help of an adult, you could cook it as Stone Age people would have- over fire (or you could use the safer option of a barbecue)! Please take care if you try this activity and discuss safety and possible hazards as you go along.

You can find lots of other ideas, video clips and even some games here: https://www.teachingideas.co.uk/early-human-history/stone-age-day-ideas