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Case Study A Dinosaur Dig at the Museum of Somerset

Case Study information

St Gildas Catholic Primary school at the Museum of Somerset.

The Dinosaur Dig is available all year round and uses some of the excellent collections at the Museum of Somerset. The session is designed for young children and enables participants to practice important skills such as sorting, identifying and making observations.

Dinosaur Dig learning outcomes:

• To sort different materials including fossils• To understand that there were many different animals living in Somerset a long time ago• To investigate and make observations of different dinosaurs and prehistoric sea creatures• To find out what bones and fossils look like close up

To book

To find out more about booking museum sessions, activities or to enquire about a subscription to our services please contact:

Session title: Dinosaur Dig Session length: 90 minutes

Site: Museum of Somerset Suitable for: KS1 (but can be adapted for KS2)

[email protected] 01823 347451

South West Heritage Trust is a charity and a company limited by guarantee registered in England. Registered office: Somerset Heritage Centre, Brunel Way, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6SF. Company number: 09053532 Charity Number: 1158791 VAT Registration Number: 197221592

Arriving at the museum

On a bright summer’s morning just after 10am 30 children from St Gildas Primary School, Yeovil, arrived at the Museum of Somerset.

Activities

After a short introduction to fossils and dinosaurs in the collection, children were able to decorate their own plaster fossil and explore the museum with a special eye spy trail. In addition, the Formal Learning Officer helped children to become palaeontologists with a dig for fossils and bones. During the dig the children sorted the things they found. This activity helped the children to learn about materials and the difference between fossils, rocks, bones and other materials such as plastic. There was lots to dig up and when the children were finished they explored puzzles and games on the carpet. All the children took part in the dig and all the children were able to handle real fossils such as ammonites, belemnites, crinoids and shells.

Organisation

The activities were organised as a rotation so about 10 children did each activity at any one time. This allowed teachers and other adults to talk and engage with small groups of children, helping everyone to get the best from their activities.

After the activities everyone gathered back together. The children were asked to close their eyes and think of everything they had done that morning. Children were then able to share their special moments. After that everyone went outside for their lunch. The room where the activities took place is our lunch room and can be used for up to 65 children. The day was so beautiful, however, that the group were able to have a picnic lunch outside. The green spaces adjacent to the museum can be used for play and picnics during the warmer months. In the afternoon the children explored the museum in small groups enjoying self-guided activities.

To book


Case Study A Dinosaur Dig at the Museum of Somerset


Case Study Somerset Remembers the First World War


Blackbrook Primary School at the Museum of Somerset.

In 2014 Somerset Heritage Service launched a project to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, following a grant of £66,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The ‘Somerset Remembers’ project explored the impact and long-term effect of the conflict on the county, and looked at the many ways in which Somerset people, their families and communities have remembered the Great War.

Somerset Remembers learning outcomes: • To understand the chronology and geography of the war• To understand the importance of historical items and archival documents when exploring events of the past• To explore the role of children during the war• To explore a variety of themes related to WW1 in Somerset

Teacher feedback

A teacher from Blackbrook commented on the experience:“Fantastic and really meaningful activities, lots we could use back in the classroom. A great introduction to the First World War.”

To book


Session title: Somerset Remembers the First World War Session length: Whole day workshop

Site: Museum of Somerset Suitable for: KS1 & 2


RemembersSomerset

T h e F i r s t Wo r l d Wa r


Arriving at the museumThe older children from Blackbrook Primary School visited the Museum of Somerset over four days. The museum session provided a unique opportunity for students to explore the history of the First World War and its impact on the people of Somerset.

ActivitiesTo understand the experiences of children during the war KS2 children wrote messages to soldiers using dip pens and ink. The inspiration for this activity came from archive research completed during the Somerset Remembers Project. A newspaper article from 1914 told the story of Somerset children who had written messages and placed them in socks for the soldiers. Exactly 100 years later we asked students to do the same activity.

The children also visited the temporary exhibition titled ‘Somerset Remembers’. This presented children with lots of stories of Somerset events and people relating to the First World War. Each story had an object to inspire or illustrate the narrative. For example, a newspaper article about the overpricing of milk was accompanied by a large early 20th century milk churn. The children were provided with a trail and used this to inspire discussion as well as identify artefacts. Before the children left the galleries the teacher spoke to their small group, finding out what they had discovered.

When the children dressed up in replica costume we encouraged them to think about people’s experiences. Some children were able to discuss their characters and consider why they would have had their photographs taken.

Special activitiesAdditionally, Year 6 children were able to create their own animations. Using simple techniques and lots of different materials students explored their own ideas about the war.

To bookTo find out more about booking museum sessions, activities or to enquire about a subscription to our services please contact:

Case Study Somerset Remembers the First World War


RemembersSomerset

T h e F i r s t Wo r l d Wa r

Case Study Take One: Saxon St Peter Carving


2015 Take One project with Beech Grove Primary School and the South West Heritage Trust.

Every year we will run at least one ‘Take One’ project. For the academic year 2016/17 we will be running a Take One project at both the Museum of Somerset and the Somerset Rural Life Museum. ‘Take One’ was started by the National Gallery and enables students to explore one museum object in depth, resulting in many different types of work from different disciplines. The project has the potential to be predominantly student led but is also highly flexible, enabling teachers to adapt it to their style and practice.

Teacher feedback

Teachers were really pleased with the week, a Year 1 teacher said, “everyone has made something and the school is buzzing!”

To book


Session title: St Peter Carving Take One project Session length: One week

Site: Museum of Somerset Suitable for: KS1, 2 & 3



ProjectTake One is a special kind of project that helps schools and children explore one object in depth. The object for the 2015 Take One was a Saxon carving of St Peter.

Training for teachersTwo KS1 teachers from Beech Grove School in Wellington attended a Take One training day at the Museum of Somerset in February. The training day was led by Lizzie Mee, the Formal Learning Officer for the South West Heritage Trust. Guest speakers included Rachel Bellamy (Museum Development Officer for Somerset) and Samantha Addison (re-enactor and storyteller).

The training day included storytelling, a series of talks as well as practical activities and time to plan. Before the end of the day it was agreed that an event at the Museum of Somerset would be held to celebrate children’s work. Any school completing a project could take part.

School activitiesBeech Grove School decided that a Take One project would be perfect for their art week. Art week had been planned for the 22 June. To help teachers prepare and to give them confidence, Lizzie Mee was invited into the school to talk to all staff about the carving.

Museum loans and resourcesSaxon loans were ordered for the summer term. These would complement the project and help teachers explain Saxon life and culture. As part of a funded project St Peter carving replicas had also been made. These could be loaned to schools and Beech Grove School booked their carvings for the art week.Teachers busily explored different ways to use the St Peter carving. During the art week a great many activities took place, including relief sculpting, printing, writing and graffiti.

Museum visitKS1 children also visited the Museum of Somerset to see the real carving. During their visit the children explored a variety of historical faces, from Iron Age plaques to the bust of John Hanning Speke. Local press were invited to photograph the event and the school used their blog to record activities.

Case Study Take One: Saxon St Peter Carving


Case Study Saxon Somerset at the Museum of Somerset


Westover Green School at the Museum of Somerset.

The Saxon Somerset session can be done in a morning or spread out over a day. Although the collection in the museum is small the session explores a variety of themes, using re-enacting and creative processes to explore Saxon life. The children find out about Saxon communities and their cultural practices, including the importance of religion and the development of different crafts.

Saxon Somerset learning outcomes:

• To find out about Saxon times through real and replica objects in a museum setting• To understand the ways in which King Alfred resisted and defeated the Vikings• To find out about Saxon art, religion, law and settlements

To book


Session title: Saxon Somerset Session length: 90 minutes

Site: Museum of Somerset Suitable for: KS2



Arriving at the museum

Sixty Year 4 students from Westover Green Community School in Bridgwater arrived at the Museum of Somerset to enjoy a ‘Saxon Somerset’ session. This new session has been devised with the help of the Historic Environment Service and covers themes found in the new Primary National Curriculum. Half the students looked at relevant items in the museum, whilst the other half started their session in the Learning Room with the Formal Learning Officer.

Activities

The session revealed clues about the lives of ordinary Saxons and told the story of King Alfred and his defence against the Vikings. The students under-took a re-enactment, which included King Alfred’s first battle with the Vikings at Wilton, a violent raid on Chippenham and the events that led to Alfred’s final victory over Guthrum at Edington. During the day all the children took part either as a Viking or a Saxon. They found out about the nature of Saxon struggles and beliefs and thought about the difficult choices facing King Alfred.

After the re-enactment the students were able to reflect on their adventures in pairs, before enjoying a craft activity. Children made either a replica of an Anglo-Saxon ‘aestel’ (a pointer for following words in a book) or created their own document using a quill and ink, just as the elite Saxons would have done. Both these activities relate to the rich of Saxon society, but typify the precious Saxon artefacts represented in the Museum of Somerset. At the end of the session children were able to share what they had learnt.

Organisation

Everyone had lunch and then the groups swapped over. By 2.15pm everyone was back together and ready to share their favourite moments of the day!

To book


Case Study Saxon Somerset at the Museum of Somerset


Case Study Monmouth Rebellion Day


St Jospeh’s Catholic School, Bridgwater, at the Museum of Somerset.

The Monmouth day is an exciting opportunity for students to relive events from the past. The re-enactment takes place throughout the morning and enables students to see the development of Monmouth’s journey and consider the impact of the rebellion on the people of Somerset. Children will also be able to explore the Rebellion Gallery in the Museum of Somerset.

Monmouth Rebellion learning outcomes:

• Students will understand the order and importance of historical events and the names of key historical figures• To consider the social, cultural and religious diversity of some of the characters that form part of the narrative students will use their own knowledge of the local area to understand where people went and why• Some students will also make links between main events and describe changes

Teacher feedback

Aims for the day had been “very well met” and that the session leader was “fantastic from start to finish, extremely knowledgeable! Pitched to the children’s level”

To book


Session title: Monmouth Rebellion Session length: 90 minutes

Site: Museum of Somerset Suitable for: KS2 or KS3


Before your visit

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Bridgwater booked a Monmouth Rebellion day. The booking was made by email and all details were confirmed by the Learning Team at the Somerset Heritage Centre. A few months before the visit, the teacher was sent information including timings and activities for the day. The workshop was part of a class project on the Monmouth Rebellion and it was hoped that the day would add to what the children already knew.

ActivitiesAt the end of February 2015 nearly 60 students from St Joseph’s arrived at the Museum of Somerset. After a short introduction half the students (with their adults) were invited to explore the museum galleries. This included the ‘Rebellion’ Gallery which contains artefacts from the Monmouth Rebellion and a very precious item of clothing owned by the Duke himself.

The other half of the students re-enacted the Monmouth Rebellion including the Duke’s landing at Lyme Regis, his coronation in Taunton and the Battle of Sedgemoor. During the re-enactment students travelled hundreds of miles through Somerset and celebrated Monmouth’s arrival in Taunton. The children met characters such as Charles Speke, Mary Blake, Lord Grey and Monmouth himself. Named bibs helped the children to familiarise themselves with the Monmouth rebels. As well as being fun, acting out this important episode in Somerset history helped the children to understand the impact of important events on Somerset people. The children were able to explore the cause and effects of people’s actions as well as consider how lives in the past were different to their own. After the day the teacher provided some feedback on the session and museum visit. She suggested that all aspects of the visit were helpful but highlighted the Battle of Sedgemoor and the dressing up as highlights.

Organisation

After a short lunch of about 30 minutes the two classes switched activities. Those who had seen the galleries in the morning were able to take part in the re-enactment in the afternoon. At 2pm the students and adults came to together to say goodbye!The Monmouth Rebellion session is normally a whole day for 30 students. However we can be flexible and in this instance the museum was able to accommodate two classes in one day.

Case Study Monmouth Rebellion Day



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