Butser Ancient Farm

This week in Year 2, our topic on the Romans was brought to life by a wonderful school trip to Butser Ancient Farm.

We started our journey back in time in a roundhouse, looking at the sort of houses the local populace was living in at the time of the Roman conquest. We then explored a reconstructed Roman villa and the children were quick to identify the similarities and differences between the two styles of houses, and put forward suggestions as to why the buildings were constructed the way they were.

After looking at mosaics on the floor of the villa, the children then had a hands-on activity, making their own mosaics from tesserae and boxes of sand. Next, we moved on to a task that would have occupied a good deal of time in the past – spinning! The children managed to create their own woollen bracelets, using wool and a wooden drop spindle.

After lunch, the children tried their hand at archaeology, carefully sifting layers of sand using small trowels to discover a wide range of ‘finds’ – from animal bones and coins to iron axe-heads and flint.

Finally, we all enjoyed a jewellery-making workshop. The children carefully and sensibly handled pairs of jewellery pliers and followed instructions to make spirals of copper wire, which they crafted into rings.

We were so proud of the children on the trip – their behaviour was exemplary. Staff from Butser, and teachers from other visiting schools, commented more than once on how beautifully behaved the children were. It was a super trip – even the weather was with us!

Well done Year 2!

Mrs Harris, Mrs Barnett and Mrs Ferris