Creative History

Leisure & Pleasure

3,000 years of toy development, why toys change, clues to past lives, stepping beyond old and new, D.T. Projects.

Course Summary

This course starts with an overview of how toys and games have developed over the last 3,000 years. Learn how some of the toys were inspired or developed purely through accident. Discover which toys our ancestors knew and used. Do you know which toy an exasperated teacher designed to help his eighteenth century pupils learn geography? Explore the changes in form and materials and learn how these can be used to tell us about the people who lived at the time. This course also looks at how the toys topic can be used to develop chronological skills and knowledge.

After a break, the introductory talk is followed by looking at what the National Curriculum needs us to teach in the classroom. Also, what could be good fun to introduce and explore in a Toys topic. Or to put it another way, looking for the quirky things that are likely to interest the children.

Lunch is in "Miss Moody's Tea Room" on site, or if you prefer, explore Romsey Abbey across the road and the local area.

The session after lunch looks at a variety of ways to approach teaching history in the classroom. It particularly focuses on DT projects that both extend and reinforce historical knowledge and skills and have the potential to produce stimulating classroom displays.

The course ends with a question and answer session.

Coffee break.

You are invited to stay and attend a twilight session on 'Games from the Past' where we look at the games and toys relevant to the museums' buildings and history. This session is open to the public, but course attendees can participate at no extra cost.

Overview of the Day

9:30 Registration.

9:45 Development of toys over 3,000 years and why they change.

10:45 Comfort break – stretch your legs, replenish your cup.

11:00 The National Curriculum versus the qualities of a good historian.

11:30 Stepping beyond looking at old and new.

11:45 Evidence gathering – becoming the Historical Detective.

12:15 Lunch.

13:00 Using D.T. projects and Art and Design activities to further Historical skills.

13:30 DT projects to have a go at.

14:30 Course closes with questions and answers.

14:45 Coffee break or finish.

15:00 'Games from the Past' Talk followed by a having a go at some of the toys and games displayed around the museum. This last session is also open to the public which you are invited to attend if it interests you.

16:00 Any last questions

Course Aims and Objectives

Provide an appreciation of the major similarities and differences between toy types over the last 3,000 years.
Provide an understanding of how toy styles, form and materials they are made from can be used as evidence about life at the time.
Provide attendees with understanding of what the History National Curriculum is asking for and how this relates to the skills historians need.
Suggestions for ways to develop children's historical skills when looking at a topic on toys.
Suggestions and actual examples of DT and Art & Design projects that can readily be adapted to develop children 's historical skills.
Provide class teachers with an exciting and vibrant way to teach topics on toys.

Target Audience

This is course is suitable for NQTs and class room teachers looking at topics on toys and games. It is also useful for teachers working on topics on Egyptians, Roman-Britain, Tudors, Fire of London, Victorians and Britain since 1930's who would like to be able to develop chronology of toys and games at the same time.

Other Information

King John's House is a medieval building attached to a Tudor cottage. That is, it has steep stairs, quirky corners, and uneven floors. As such, the upper floor where the courses are usually held is unsuitable for wheelchair users or folk who need smooth floors to walk on. If this would affect you could you please let us know and we will arrange to base the course downstairs.

Course Presenter

Patricia Silver-Warner BA(Hons) MA( Prim ED), teaching since the late 1980’s, has taught in Yorkshire, Kent, and Hampshire. She combines writing and presenting courses with working with children in schools and at local museum. Trained as a historian and teacher she has taught across the primary school age range; specialising in behaviour and emotionally challenged children. Part of a team who took a school from Special Measures to Effective and Improving, and who won two educational awards, she is passionate about making learning fun. History is her first love; hands on DT her second hence Creative History.

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