How was Stonehenge built?

Topics Year 4/5
This unit is part of Stone Age to Iron Age Britain Stonehenge

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Objectives

History

Continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of Britain, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
Know about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, including Bronze Age religion, technology and travel.

Design and Technology

Make by selecting from a range of materials, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities.

Lesson Planning

Learn about the materials used in the construction of Stonehenge and explore the challenges facing the builders of this Neolithic monument.

Teaching Outcomes:

To find out about the materials used in the construction of Stonehenge.
To use different materials and instructions to erect a lintel in a similar manner to the Neolithic people.

Children will:

Understand that the materials for Stonehenge came from areas a long way from Salisbury Plain.
Appreciate that the construction of Stonehenge required great feats of problem-solving and engineering.
Discuss different theories about how the stones were moved and constructed.
Create stone lintels with clay and reconstruct how Neolithic builders worked.

Planning

Provided Resources

Stonehenge’s journey
Stonehenge’s joints
Stonehenge’s stones
How to raise a Stonehenge lintel

Unit Resources

You Will Need

Air drying clay
String
Toy people
A pot of earth/ sand
Twigs or bits of cane
A camera

Weblinks

Building Stonehenge from english-heritage.org.uk