Learning from Objects
Boxes & Activities
Real or Replica
This activity involves a selection of real and good quality artefacts. Children sort out the artefacts, discussing their use and whether they are real artefacts. This really stimulates the imagination and encourages huge amounts of discussion as the pupils consider the objects and put forward their thoughts and ideas.
Piecing Together the Past
Artefacts that are broken or incomplete prove just as interesting as whole ones. As a Roman activity children investigate pottery shards and using their imagination and existing knowledge work out what these pots may have originally looked like. A similar activity, with real mosaic tiles works well, with children creating their own mosaics from replica tiles.
Archaeological Dig
This can be done with almost any collection of artefacts. For the outreach workshops I do this as part of the Viking session. I simply bury a selection of objects in a sand tray - Viking, Victorian and modern. The children "excavate" and sort. This encourages a great deal of discussion, and children love digging!
Mummification
Ancient Egypt seems to hold an enduring fascination for many children, especially the process of mummification. With a few simple props and a lot of linen, the class become trainee embalmers and mummify the pharaoh (a specially made doll, complete with removable brain and organs)
Mystery Suitcase
Children investigate a World War Two evacuee's suitcase. They are encouraged to discuss the case, its size and contents, and the differences between what was taken then and what they'd take today.
Into the Air Raid Shelter
As part of learning about World War Two, the class are able to investigate assorted items that would have been taken into the shelter, sorting and discarding those things that were unavailable or unnecessary. Part of the activity involves looking at the ways children would have passed the time whilst waiting for the all clear. The 1930s card and board games are extremely popular and illustrate the similarities and differences between the way children played then and now.
Role Play
In almost every workshop, when handling objects, role-play has arisen spontaneously. Amongst other things I've had Tudor chefs preparing me a banquet, a Roman family taking me as their slave, seen an evacuee leave their family, had laundry maids do my washing and had a very strict shopkeeper serving customers in a wartime shop! The Victorian school is an extremely popular topic and as well as the outreach session, we also loan out "Victorian Classroom" sets which set the scene. When I am acting the part of the Victorian school teacher, the children love to get into role, with dipping pens, ink wells and copy books managing to enthral even those who usually hate to write. I incorporate replica clothing into a number of the workshops. These more than anything stimulate a level of excitement and enthusiasm that spans age groups, gender and ability. It frequently produces unprompted role play which encourages a great sense of empathy and understanding.
The use of artefacts in teaching across the curriculum can make a real impact on teaching and learning, bringing subjects to life and giving them more meaning. With an interesting loan box and a little imagination a whole host of exciting learning opportunities can be unleashed!
Devon Learning Resources