'Chinese Whispers'

Topics Reception/Year 1
This unit is part of Changes within Living Memory Keeping in Touch

Objectives

History

  • Learn about changes within living memory.
  • Know where people and events fit within a chronological framework.

Design and Technology

  • Select from and use a range of materials and components to create a product.
  • Evaluate their product against agreed criteria.

Lesson Planning

After a recap of methods used to communicate in the past children look at the use of carrier pigeons. They create a model carrier pigeon using boxes and papier-mâché. They then decorate these to make them realistic.

Teaching Outcomes
To understand the role and the use of messengers, both human and birds, in the past to send messages to others.
To plan and create models of carrier birds using junk modelling, to use in the Museum.

Children will:

  • Understand why humans and pigeons were used to send messages, and the problems associated with these.
  • Make a model pigeon using junk modelling.
  • Add an appropriate message for their pigeon to carry.

Provided Resources

  • Instructions for making model messenger pigeons.

You Will Need

  • Small pieces of lined paper for writing messages
  • Range of small boxes
  • Card
  • Papier-mâché
  • Tissue paper
  • Feathers
  • Masking tape