Upper Key Stage 2 Stone Age to Iron Age Britain
Iron Age art and culture

Prepare for an Iron Age tribal meeting to discuss the impending invasion of the Roman Army. Research the resources, designs, beliefs, totems, clothing and jewellery of the Iron Age people and make tunics, belts, animal totem designs and jewellery to wear.

Session 1 Iron Age shoes

Objectives

History

  • Continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of Britain, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
  • Know about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, including Iron Age Art and Culture.

Design and Technology

  • Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose.

Lesson Planning

The children research the resources of Iron Age people and create Iron Age shoes from leather and thread.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand the resources that were available to people in the Iron Age.
  • To create fit for purpose Iron Age shoes from leather and thread.

Children will:

  • Understand that, in the Iron Age, people had to use simple resources available to them.
  • Understand why the Iron Age shoe was designed this way, and why.
  • Create Iron Age shoes from leather, material and thread .

You Will Need

  • Leather squares (two per child) or thick material
  • Strong thread
  • Hole punch (for leather)
  • Rough cloth and strips of material or leather

Session 2 Iron Age jewellery

Objectives

History

  • Continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of Britain, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
  • Know about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, including Iron Age Art and Culture.

Design and Technology

  • Use research and design an Iron Age torc.

Art

  • Study Iron Age designs and the significance of the twisted strands of the torc.

Lesson Planning

A session researching and then making Iron Age bangles and jewellery.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand that, in the Iron Age, people may have understood the different aspects of life to be intertwined and this was reflected in their art work and jewellery.
  • To create and Iron Age torc and understand the significance of the twisted stranded design.

Children will:

  • Study Iron Age designs and the significance of the twisted torc design.
  • Recreate Iron Age torc out of craft wire or thread.

You Will Need

  • 8 (or 3) strands of aluminium craft wire, the right length to fit around your neck
  • Thin string (gold or normal)
  • Gold spray paint
  • Tape
  • Card

Session 3 Iron Age tunics and belts

Objectives

History

  • Continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of Britain, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
  • Know about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, including Iron Age Art and Culture.

Design and Technology

  • Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose.

Lesson Planning

The children study the clothing of the Iron Age and then make their own Iron Age tunics and belts.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand the manufacture and use of Iron Age garments.
  • To create Iron Age garments.

Children will:

  • Understand the clothing of the Iron Age and discuss its suitability for the tasks of daily life.
  • Understand about Iron Age clothing by making tunics in the style of Iron Age peasant, with woven belt.

Provided Resources

  • How to make an Iron Age tunic
  • How to make an Iron Age belt

You Will Need

  • Hessian sacks or 2 x large (pillowcase size) sheets of rough loosely woven material per child
  • String or twine
  • Large needles
  • Yarn or thick wool

Session 4 Tribal names and totem animals

Objectives

History

  • Continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of Britain, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
  • Know about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, including Iron Age Art and Culture.

Art

  • Improve mastery of art and design techniques; Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences.

Lesson Planning

In this session the children explore the Iron Age tribal names and totem animals and design an authentic totem animal ready for the Tribal meeting.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand some of the beliefs of Iron Age people, including tribal names and totem animals.
  • To design a totem animal and understand its significance.

Children will:

  • Understand the beliefs and significance behind tribal names and totem animals for the Iron Age people.
  • Design own totem animal in authentic Iron Age style.
  • Understand the powerful significance for the Iron Age person of choosing a totem name.

You Will Need

  • Paper
  • Pencils
  • Black pen
  • String

Session 5 The Romans are coming! Iron Age tribal meeting

Objectives

History

  • Continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of Britain, of local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
  • Know about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, including Iron Age Art and Culture.

English

  • Understand the value of speaking and listening in turn and the skills of debate.

Lesson Planning

The children gain an insight into Iron Age life through recreating a tribal meeting, dressed in authentic clothing and jewellery, to discuss the impending Roman Army invasion.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand why the Romans invaded Iron Age Britain and its impact on Iron Age culture and civilization.
  • To develop debating skills through a tribal discussion about Roman invasion.

Children will:

  • Understand the impact of the Roman invasion on Iron Age culture and civilization.
  • Gain an insight into Iron Age life through recreating a tribal meeting to discuss the impeding invasion of the Roman army.
  • Understand the value of speaking and listening in turn and the skills of debate through tribal discussion about Roman invasion.

Provided Resources

  • Roman invasion class mime
  • Letter warning about the Romans

You Will Need

  • Logs
  • Yellow, red and orange tissue paper
  • Tin cups and plates if possible
  • Sticky labels