Primary

KS1

Stories in Art: Words and Pictures

What is art? How can we understand it? We will look at 3 different artworks together and think about how artists tell stories using pictures instead of words, using the paintings to inspire our own creative writing.

Museum of Me (60 minutes)

What is the role of museums in society? How should museums use objects to represent other cultures? How can objects help construct and display identity? These are some of the questions that frame this cross-cultural gallery-taught session, which combines critical thinking, self-reflection, discussion, looking and object handling activities.

Museum of Me (60 minutes)

What is the role of museums in society? How should museums use objects to represent other cultures? How do objects help construct and display identity? These are some of the questions that frame this cross-cultural gallery-taught session, which combines critical thinking, self-reflection, discussion, looking and object handling activities.

Ancient Maya (90 minutes)

How did the ancient Maya express their identity? What objects did they use to show their power? What can archaeology tell us about Maya life? These are some of the questions we will discuss while students learn how to read a Maya monument and handle objects from Central and South America.

This PowerPoint has been created for teachers to deliver a school-based session focused on the enigmatic Red Deer antler headdress from the world renowned site of Star Carr in Yorkshire, England. Dating from the Mesolithic, this 11,000 year old object is thought to be linked to shamanic practices performed millennia ago along the edges fo a watery environment. View the PowerPoint

 

Visit our website for more details and teacher's resources

A session tracing life in Britain from the Palaeolithic to the Iron Age. Find out what distinguishes each epoch and how everyday objects changed through time and space. View the Powerpoint

 

Visit our website for more details and teacher's resources.

Rituals and Beliefs focuses on the scene from a plaster cast taken of a stone lintel from the doorway of a temple in the city of Yaxchilan, now in modern day Mexico, and dating from 709AD.

The images depict a blood-letting ritual being performed by Lady K'ab'al Xook and her husnabd King Shield Jaguar. Lady K'ab'al Xook can be seen pulling a rope of thorns through her tongue in order to collect blood in a bowl filled with bark paper. Both figures are wearing jade and obsidian jewellery and dressed in resplendent costumes made fo fur and elaborate fabrics. 

Which combination of heroes' qualities would you choose? Perhaps the strength of Hercules with the inventiveness of Daedalus?

Learn about mythical heroes and gods then follow the instructions to create your own heroes and heroines.

Download the activity here (pdf)

Download the activity here (Word)

Try using old wrapping paper or magazines to make this decorative Twilight star.

Download the activity here.

This resource comes from our bank of Look, Think, Do resources on the Fitzwilliam Museum website.

Take a look at this incredible 500 year old jar from China and have a go at making a dragon shadow puppet inspired by its decorations.

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