Teacher Information
Teacher
Information
Pupil
Activities
Glossary
Travel
back in time
The
Norman Conquest
The
Doom in Domesday
In
their shoes
Build
a Castle Game
Timeline
Quiz
360° Panorama
 |
|
 |
|
|||
|
|
|
Project Documents |
|
|||
Education
Teacher Information
Teacher Notes
The Norman Invasion of 1066 had profound consequences for Anglo-Saxon Britain and changed both society and the landscape in ways that still can be recognised today. Pilsbury Castle website aims to encourage children to become detectives and find out more about the Norman Conquest for themselves with Pilsbury Castle and its lands as the focus of their investigations.
The activities have been designed with children aged 7-11 in mind and can be used as part of the History National Curriculum as a local study or as how a local area has changed over time. However, many of the activities will also be suitable for older children and their investigations of the Norman Conquest. Additionally, all these activities have the potential to develop children's understanding of the chronology of events; develop skills in interpreting a range of materials; pursue historical enquiry and communicate their knowledge and understanding of history in a variety of ways.
The many people involved in this project, including teachers, children, historians, archaeologists and local people have been intrigued by Pilsbury Castle and the education activities have been informed by the questions that we have all puzzled over.
Why build a castle at Pilsbury? Who actually built it and what did the castle look like?
What happened to the Anglo-Saxon people of Pilsbury when the castle was built?
What was life like for the Saxons and Normans?
How has life changed over the centuries?
Children can explore these questions in their own interactive section, accessing primary and secondary sources, as well as maps and photographic images. A 360 degree panorama takes them directly into the landscape of Pilsbury. Teachers' notes provide an overview of each activity and potential learning outcomes and additional, illustrated activities for pupils around the same themes can be downloaded for use in the classroom
We hope that this website will catch the imagination of children and encourage them to investigate some of the mysteries surrounding Pilsbury Castle and perhaps uncover more of its secrets.
The Education section - Pupils' Activities contains 6 activities, which together can be used as part of a teaching unit. There are also 3 further sets of activities in hard copy format, to be used as class or group activities. They can be printed off from the Teacher's Information - Pupil Activities menu.
The suggested sequence of activities is the order listed in the menu left:
Pupils' Activities
Travel Back in Time
The Norman Conquest
The Doom in Domesday
In Their Shoes
Build a Castle Game
Time Line Quiz
Teachers' Information - Pupils' Activities
Why build a castle at Pilsbury?
What was the Doom in Domesday for the people of Pilsbury?
Building the castle at Pilsbury: put yourself in their shoes.
The section below gives a synopsis of each activity and the potential learning outcome.
Travel Back in Time
This interactive game takes you on a journey from Hartington to Pilsbury Castle and back in time from the present day to the 11th century. En route, you can meet authentic characters from the past, and learn how farming practices and industries have shaped and changed the landscape.
What will pupils learn?
skills in using co-ordinates
understand how the area around Pilsbury has changed over time
knowledge of a range of industries- from lead mining to farming
location of Pilsbury Castle in the wider landscape
use information to deduct answers to questions
an understanding of the chronology of events
The Norman Conquest
Pupils can find out about the Norman Conquest and can access directly additional project documents, maps and photos from the website
What will pupils learn?
who the key figures were in the conquest: William of Normandy and Harold.
understand how Henry de Ferrers came to own lands in Derbyshire and Staffordshire
the location of Henry de Ferrers castles at Tutbury, Duffield and Pilsbury
The Doom in Domesday
What was the Domesday Survey and what does it tell us about Pilsbury in 1086. What happened to the people who lived there? Pupils can read about this and find out more by looking at additional project documents, photos and maps.
What will pupils learn?
the purpose of the Domesday Book and its origin.
what the Manor of Pilsbury was like in 1086
develop skills in making judgements from evidence/theories
empathy with people from the past
In Their Shoes
Pupils imagine what it was like to be a Norman soldier stationed at Pilsbury Castle or an Anglo- Saxon ploughman and use additional documents, maps and photos to help them empathise with the characters
What will pupils learn?
the similarities and differences in the life style of the 2 characters
understanding of the food and medicine
empathy with people from the past
use of maps and other evidence to infer lifestyles
Build a Castle Game
This is an interactive game, which allows pupils to build the castle at Pilsbury. It is based on the latest interpretation of Pilsbury Castle site.
What will pupils learn?
the construction of a motte and bailey castle
specific terms relating to motte and bailey castles ditches, palisades, tower etc.
who built the castle at Pilsbury
Time Line Quiz
This interactive Quiz tests pupils knowledge of the chronology of events they have encountered around Pilsbury throughout these activities
What will pupils learn?
chronology of key events
Teachers Information- Pupils Activities (hard copy material)
All of these can be used as a class and group activity and require teacher support. You need to decide which of the supporting documents listed on the activity sheet you want pupils to use.
Why Build a Castle at Pilsbury?
This activity asks pupils to use their knowledge and understanding of Pilsbury in order to write a letter to Henry de Ferrers persuading him that the site is perfect for a motte and bailey castle.
What will pupils learn?
how to interpret information of different forms and make judgements
use information to write in a particular genre
empathy with people from the past
understand some of the reasons for building Pilsbury Castle at that location
demonstrate what they have learned through writing and discussion
What was the Doom in Domesday for the people of Pilsbury?
Pupils are asked to write a play based on the Domesday Survey of Pilsbury from the point of view of either a Norman Commissioner or an Anglo-Saxon villager and act it out to other groups to see whether they agree that it was doom.
What will pupils learn?
about the similarities and differences in the lifestyle of the 2 main characters
how to use information to write in a specific genre
empathy with people from the past
knowledge of the impact of the Norman invasion on the Anglo-Saxons
demonstrate what they have learned through writing and discussion
Building the Castle at Pilsbury: put yourself in their shoes.
Pupils are asked to write a diary over a period of a week for the year 1080 as either an Anglo-Saxon who has been forced to build the castle at Pilsbury or as a Norman Knight in charge of its construction
What will pupils learn?
The similarities and differences in the lifestyle of the 2 characters
knowledge of the food and medicine of medieval times
empathy with people from the past
to interpret and use information and write in a different genre
how Pilsbury Castle might have been constructed
demonstrate what they have learned through writing and discussion
A Visit to Pilsbury Castle
For schools that wish to plan a visit to Pilsbury Castle, maps giving the location, can be downloaded from the map section. The walking leaflets, which can also be downloaded, offer two routes - one starting at Hartington in Derbyshire and the other at Longnor in Staffordshire. Both are capable of being walked by Primary age children.
The leaflets offer the traveller a guided journey back in time, journeying for the most part on footpaths and minor roads. Of course, the centrepiece of both routes is Pilsbury Castle itself, an experience never to be forgotten. The questions, which underpin the childrens activities and the activities themselves, available on Pilsbury Castle web site, will help you plan a memorable and worthwhile visit.