KS2
The Viking ‘Dig-It’ Hands-On History session takes your children back through time to discover why the Vikings invaded England and what life was like in your local area under Viking rule, while also discovering how historians find out about the past through archaeology.
The day begins with all the children getting together to set up a ‘Hat Timeline’, placing different time periods in order from the present day to prehistoric times, in a way that they will be able to remember!
The children then become archaeologists investigating a ‘Viking burial mound’. They dig 10cm square dig sites, find out what types of materials are preserved in the soil and what their finds tell us about the lives of the people who once used them. They become museum curators, creating a display explaining their finds. Many of the finds are genuine artefacts from the Viking period.
Your children then discover the lives of the invading Vikings and their impact on the resident Anglo Saxons through Danelaw. Using masses of artefacts and hands-on activities, your children relive the lives of the Viking invaders, engaging with them by re-enacting their daily routines and traditions – how they dressed, made their homes, played, worked and how they terrified the people they invaded! The children create ‘metal’ swords and name them using runes, play the Viking game of Kubbs, , try on replica Viking armour and clothes. They become Anglo Saxons using quill pens to write complaints against the Vikings and then take part in a Viking Thyng (Court) when they decide the fate of local people who have committed crimes, while the local Wappentake Viking law-makers control the trial. As a finale, the children take part in a Viking burial, burying the ‘dead’ dressed in their best Viking clothes and with everything they will need for their afterlife, which brings us back full circle to the archaeological dig.
Schools booking for more than 1 class will be provided with teacher-led activities for use when they are not with Kathryn, so that all the children are involved throughout the day.
Prices: £190/£295 for half/full day plus £30 for each extra class plus travel expenses – please enquire to discuss exact costs – thehistoryvan@gmail.com
Anglo-Saxon & Viking Classroom Topic Boxes
Topic specific books, chosen by you to be used in your classroom throughout your topic. Available to rent or to buy outright, please get in touch to discuss your classroom needs. All books are available to view and purchase here.
The History Van 