Hillier - Children in dome

Surviving the Stone Age

Hillier Gardens, well established as a provider of high-quality science field trips, has recently expanded its offering to schools with the addition of three curriculum linked history theme days in conjunction with Romsey-based firm Trench 1 Archaeology.

Schools can now visit the gardens to spend a day surviving the Stone Age, getting riveted by the Romans or falling in love with the super Saxons through a unique combination of archaeology and bushcraft. Each field trip begins with an introduction to archaeology before pupils are put to work analysing and exploring some real and replica artefacts, testing their historical enquiry by asking: What is it? What was it used for? How was it made? And most importantly, what can it teach us? They can then test this knowledge on an archaeological dig where, as well as getting muddy, they find and identify the finds from the period they are studying.

Archaeology is really important for teaching the Stone Age to Iron Age, Romans in Britain and the Anglo-Saxon topics as it is our best, and in some cases only, source to learn about the first Britons and the visitors that shaped our isles, says archaeologist Gemma Ingason who leads the workshops for Trench 1.

By teaching the children archaeology, we are teaching them how we know what we know, and allowing them to draw their own conclusions about how people lived in the past.”

People in the past didn’t spend as much time indoors as we do now as they took advantage of natural light in all seasons to cook and prepare food, to make or mend tools and equipment, and to craft the things they needed to live comfortably. This is emulated in the second part of the session in the woodland around an open fire. With the wind in the trees and the smell of the wood smoke providing an evocative background, children undertake some suitably Stone Age, really Roman or suitably Saxon activities, letting them experience the lives of the people they are studying. The sessions have been designed to support the six steps to historical enquiry used by Hampshire teachers.

We want to make sure that pupils get a really valuable learning experience with us, whether that’s as the hook at the start of a topic, a way of gathering information to continue their exploration of British prehistory and history, or as an exciting finale to a subject that develops and supports everything they have learnt in school, says Andrea Hoyland who leads the workshops for Hillier Gardens Education Team.

During their pre-visit to the Gardens, we find out from teachers where each school is in their topic so that we can plan their day to make the most of their learning and their time with us.

The approach taken by Hillier Gardens and Trench 1 steps fully outside of the classroom to provide engaging, memorable learning experiences that complement the National Curriculum for KS2 history. When asked to describe her students’ experience of Surviving the Stone Age Helen Armstrong of Braishfield Primary School responded:

Enthusiastic, energetic, flexible, responsive, interesting, relevant, practical, reflective of curriculum, fun range of activities.

The sessions are available to book all year round through Hillier Gardens’ Education team.
For more information and details of how to book, visit http:// www3.hants.gov.uk/hilliergardens/hillierschools.htm

 

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