Young Archaeologists’ Club Session Planning Template Session title: Tools R Us What will we be learning during the session? How people in the Mesolithic used microliths to make useful tools. Which YAC volunteers will be there? 4 – Viv Smith, Steve Howard, Brian Jenkins and Lucy Potter What’s the maximum number of members that can attend (no more than 8 members for every YAC volunteer)? 32 How many members are we expecting? 20 Will any other adults be there? Yes – curator coming to show microliths from museum collection Activity plans: Activity title Materials needed Supervision needed Adaptations for age/ability/preferences Will any of the children need extra help with this activity? Who will provide this? Any work to take home? Where will this be stored? How will it be carried? Potential risks How will these risks be managed? Starter activity – ‘find the microlith’ Copies of ‘find the microlith sheet Colouring pencils Everyone together in one room for whole session – minimum two volunteers to stay in room at all times N/A – this is just a starter while we wait for everyone to arrive N/A Sheets to be put on bench at side of room when we’re ready to start the main session, children can pick them up at the end if they want – make Potential for trip hazard if pencils or paper fall on the floor. Pencils could be used as missiles/weapons. Children will be supervised at all times and encouraged to keep the area tidy – volunteers to keep an eye on the floor in case anything falls.
sure they put their names on! Making replica microliths One kit for each table containing: Modelling clay Clay tools Rulers Paper plates Microlith worksheet Pen for writing names on plates Everyone together in one room for whole session – minimum two volunteers to stay in room at all times Should be accessible for everyone – can make more or fewer microliths depending on ability and interest Sam might need extra help – Steve to keep an eye and help if needed Each child will have a paper plate to put their microliths on, make sure they put their name on the plates! Potential for trip hazard if equipment falls on the floor. Equipment could be used as missiles/weapons. Children will be supervised at all times and encouraged to keep the area tidy – volunteers to keep an eye on the floor in case anything falls. Looking at real microliths Curator bringing microliths Everyone together in one room for whole session – minimum two volunteers to stay in room at all times Lucy to sit with the curator, to help check the children’s understanding and ask leading questions! N/A N/A N/A N/A Hafting One kit for each table containing: Hafting resource sheets Plasticine Pieces of wood Replica microliths Everyone together in one room for whole session – minimum two volunteers to stay in room at all times Children will be working in 5 groups at the 5 tables. Each group will be a ‘clan’ with a clan leader: three of these will be Emily, George and Gina; Lucy and Brian to be clan leaders for groups that will need most support. Sam might need extra help – Lucy will be clan leader for his group and Steve to keep an eye and help if needed N/A – tools will be dismantled at the end Wood could cause splinters. Replica microliths can be sharp. Potential for trip hazard if equipment falls on the floor. Wood to be checked over beforehand and rough edges sanded. Children will be told about sharp microliths and asked to take care.