How can the Schoolroom activities work with your curriculum?
Most obviously, the schoolroom supports study of the Romans (in either the Roman Britain or Graeco-Roman Egypt versions), the Greeks (in the Graeco-Roman Egypt version) and the Egyptians (in the Graeco-Roman Egypt version).
It is designed to work with the History National Curriculum at KS2 on the topic of the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain.
But that’s only the beginning:
Reading
By replicating ancient reading tasks, the activity allows students to experience firsthand how reading was done in ancient times.
The use of handwritten text in capital letters, absence of spaces or punctuation, and old-fashioned poetic language follows the style and format of ancient texts. This activity aligns with the primary school curriculum by promoting literacy skills, specifically reading fluency and comprehension. Through the practice of reading aloud and becoming familiar with the ancient language style, students enhance their oral reading skills and develop an appreciation for the historical significance of ancient literature.
Additionally, the activity acknowledges the importance of catering to students’ individual needs and abilities. We also offer alternative texts suitable for students’ age and skill level upon request, ensuring that the activity can be adapted to accommodate diverse learners in the primary school setting.
Writing on a wax tablet
This activity directly relates to the curriculum as it focuses on developing writing skills, particularly in the context of poetry. By copying poems onto the wax tablets, students can engage with the literary content, analyze language, and pay attention to details such as imagery while searching for the morals of the poems.
Writing on a wax tablet with a stylus requires precise hand movements, which can help improve fine motor skills and handwriting. By using a stylus instead of a traditional pen or pencil, students must develop control over their grip and pressure, enhancing their overall writing abilities.
Mathematics
This activity provides students with a historical perspective on numerical systems and introduces them to alternative methods of calculation.
By engaging in graded practical exercises, students develop their understanding of addition, subtraction, and multiplication using Roman numerals.
The use of counters and counting-boards aids in visualizing the calculations and reinforces the concepts being taught. Through this activity, students not only enhance their mathematical skills but also gain insights into the cultural and historical context of arithmetic systems.
Writing on ostraca
The activity of writing on ostraca directly relates to the primary school curriculum by incorporating aspects of history, language arts, and moral education. The incorporation of poems that emphasize moral education aligns with the primary school curriculum’s focus on character development and values.
From a language arts perspective, the use of ostraca, inkwells, and reed pens provides a unique and interactive approach to writing. Students have the opportunity to explore a different medium and develop their penmanship skills while copying poetry from the walls. This activity promotes literacy, comprehension, and the appreciation of poetic expression.
Advanced Mathematics
The activity of performing calculations in Roman numerals can be a valuable and engaging way to explore advanced mathematics within the primary school curriculum. By incorporating Roman numerals into mathematical operations, students can enhance their understanding of number systems and develop critical thinking skills.
When working with division in Roman numerals, students can practice applying the rules and symbols of this ancient numeral system to solve mathematical problems. This activity challenges them to think creatively and critically as they manipulate the numerals and identify patterns to arrive at accurate division results.
Latin
By offering Latin exercises to students, the activity aligns with the goal of introducing students to the ancient language and providing them with an opportunity to experience how speakers of ancient Greek learned Latin. This exposure to Latin at a young age can spark an interest in classical languages and cultures.
The activity also promotes teamwork among students. By pairing two students to work together on the Latin exercises, the activity encourages collaboration and cooperation.
This activity also contributes to the development of literacy skills. By engaging with Latin exercises, students enhance their reading, writing, and comprehension skills, thus strengthening their overall literacy abilities.
Introduction to Greek pottery and the Greek alphabet
This activity aligns with the history curriculum, as it provides an opportunity for students to learn about ancient Greek life through the study of pottery. Greek pottery is an important artifact that offers valuable insights into various aspects of ancient Greek civilization, such as their daily life, beliefs, and traditions.
Exploring the Greek alphabet, also students enhance their understanding of language systems and alphabets. They learn about the historical development and significance of the Greek alphabet, which can serve as a foundation for studying other ancient languages and cultures.
Additionally, the activity allows students to exercise their artistic skills by decorating their own pottery shard with Greek letters. This hands-on experience combines elements of art education and creativity, encouraging students to express themselves while applying what they have learned about the Greek alphabet. They can experiment with different designs and patterns, fostering their artistic abilities and imagination.
Spoken Latin
Learning spoken Latin can enhance a student’s understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. It helps develop language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Latin is also the root of many English words, so learning spoken Latin can help students expand their English vocabulary. They can recognize and understand Latin-based words in various fields like science, medicine, law, and literature.
Graffiti workshop
While writing on walls may not be encouraged in schools, this workshop acknowledges the historical significance of graffiti and offers a controlled environment for students to learn about and create their own versions of ancient Egyptian or Roman graffiti. By examining and discussing examples of graffiti from these time periods, students gain insight into the daily lives, beliefs, and social interactions of people from long ago.
The workshop also encourages creativity and self-expression. Students have the opportunity to experiment with different materials and techniques to create their own graffiti-inspired artworks. This hands-on activity allows them to explore elements such as symbolism, storytelling, and visual communication, just as the ancient graffiti artists did.
Reed pen making
This activity provides an opportunity for students to explore the historical significance of writing tools. By learning about the ancient practice of using reed pens, students gain insights into the development of writing instruments and the ways they were used in the past.
This activity promotes fine motor skills and craftsmanship. By transforming a piece of bamboo into a functional pen, students engage in a hands-on experience that requires precision and attention to detail. They learn to handle a sharp knife safely and effectively, developing their dexterity and hand-eye coordination. (Due to the involvement of a sharp knife, specific parental consent is required to ensure the safety of the students.)
Reading ancient schoolroom 