The day starts with a trumpet fanfare as "Marcus Aurelius" takes control of his "platoon". The soldiers are given training and learn how to give a Roman handshake to each other. They also do "training" including jumping, running and swimming on the spot. They learn that the Romans loved boxing and then they have some play boxing with gloves.

The soldiers are taught to swear an oath to join the Roman Army and they are given the opportunity to have SPQR stamped on them if they would like (harmless and will wash off).

Next comes some teaching about the armour and the students have the chance to try on the helmet and try out the wooden swords and shield.

Students are next trained in the testudo, a Roman military tactic, and then throw paper rocks and learn about camouflage

Next there is an opportunity to see and discuss Roman artefacts including coins and jewellery.

The children then learn what was like to be a gladiator in Rome.

The day concludes with various fun activities including a relay race where they put on armour as fast as possible, a talk about ancient Roman football and an introduction to a Roman puppet.

This all adds up to a memorable day and serves to reinforce additional teaching about the period. The exact nature of the day varies depends upon the age of the children, the time available, and local requirements.

An explanation of how Victorian Schools functioned: Strict teachers; standing up until told to sit down; standing up when a teacher enters the room; deportment; personal hygiene; respect for Queen Victoria. Learn how to ask questions and to be seen but not heard.

An introduction to writing including using a sand tray; writing using a slate; the blackboard and easel; copy writing and copybooks; pens and ink. Children have a chance to try out forms of writing.

Punishment and behaviour in Victorian schools; the cane; the dunce's cap. Strict discipline.

Reading and Writing. An examination of a Victorian textbook. The abacus, tables and recitations.

Victorian morality and beliefs. Religion and the Victorian child. The high death rate especially amongst children.

The British Empire. Great Victorians, and Victorian inventions.

We usually provide a drill lesson (physical training) subject to availability of space, and we also give children an opportunity to try out Victorian games.

NOTE: The exact content of lessons varies according to available time and age and ability of children.

Visit our dedicated Victorian website for more information.

Sample Lesson Plan

Tudor music fanfare as "Henry VIII" arrives. "Court" participate in juggling, dancing, playing mock instruments and other court activities.

Henry is introduced with description of his character and interests. This is followed by looking at England in Tudor times.

Time for activities covering the topics of home life, shops, travelling, punishments and education. Activities include the stocks where a naughty person could be imprisonned, walking around in a barrel, writing with quills in Tudor style, guess the sign and what the shop sold, show pomander for rich people and comments about hygiene, smells.

Introduction to King Henry VIII's six wives including role play with masks.

Medieval sports are described and there is an opportunity for children to participate in safe versions of some of them. Includes: jousting, tennis, dice, cards, javelin, archery, theatre, plays, dancing, music and art.

The morning session finishes with a few more facts about Henry`s moods, diet and weight.

After lunch the Medieval Banquet is explained. Pupils learn about the types of food, gluttony, music dancing.

An opportunity for all children to participate in games that would have been played in medieval times including all of the previous list of interests, plus 5 stones, wooden dolls, football, 9 mens morris, draughts and hoops.

The exact programme and details will vary according to the age of the children and the available time.

Sample of lesson plan for the day

Enlisting: children are given "eye tests" and other checks to see if they are suitable for service. An explanation is given of conscription, and what it meant to be called up to serve in the dorces.

The new "recruits" are given some basic training with scramble nets and toy gun target practice. This is not serious training but just a fun introduction to what was required to be ready to fight the enemy. An explanation is give of the different jobs in the army including being a spy! A secret code is offered so that the children can work it out, and test their aptitude for covert work like being a code breaker at Bletchley Park.

The children listen to a speech given by Winston Churchill and then participate in some fun activities to help them learn about him.

Next the focus shifts to what it was like for civilians and the evacuees are introduced with children having to imagine what it must have been like for wartime children.

Rationing is discussed and the children look at various foodstuffs and try to decide if they were rationed.

Metal collecting for the war effort is the next essential activity, and the children play a "saucepan challenge" game about collecting metal. They also have an opportunity to grow their own seeds in a cup of compost for the war effort.

The afternoon ends as the class sits under a proper full size parachute, sing war songs and watch a dvd about "Valiant" a wood pigeon who helped in the war effort!

Although the exact programme may vary depending on the available time, and age of the children, the day provides a fun introduction to WW2 for children at KS2, and they are guaranteed a memorable day.

Egyptians

Details to follow

Biblical Judaism

Details to Follow