This half term in Year 3, we have been on a fascinating journey back in time, exploring life during the time of the Celts and Romans. Our theme, ‘Time Travellers’ has inspired a range of exciting activities that have brought Celtic and Roman history to life for the children.
One of the highlights was learning about Celtic roundhouses. The children had the opportunity to create their very own model roundhouses, getting hands-on experience of what it might have been like to live in one. We discovered that Celtic roundhouses were made from materials like wood, wattle, and daub, with thatched roofs to keep them warm. Inside, they were cosy, with a central fire for cooking and heating. The children were fascinated by how different homes were back then compared to today!
As part of our learning, we also delved into Celtic life and culture. The children enjoyed learning all sorts of fun and interesting facts about how the Celts lived, dressed, and worked. To bring our lessons to life, we visited the Celtic Village at St Fagans, where we explored reconstructions of roundhouses and imagined what a day in the life of a Celt would have been like. It was a brilliant way to connect what we had learned in the classroom with the real world.
We also spent time learning about the famous Celtic warrior queen, Boudicca. Her brave rebellion against the Roman invaders was a thrilling story that captivated the children. We talked about the battle at Watling Street, where Boudicca’s forces were ultimately defeated by the Romans, and how that changed the course of history in Britain. Following on from this, we looked more into Celtic warriors and Roman soldiers and compared their outfits. The children shared their thoughts on which they would rather be—a daring Celtic warrior or a strong Roman soldier and why.
In our final week before half term, we travelled further back in time to visit Roman Caerleon, or Isca, as it was once known. This trip gave us a fantastic insight into the Roman way of life. We explored the remains of the Roman amphitheatre, barracks, and baths, learning about the daily life of Roman soldiers and citizens who lived there.
We also had the exciting opportunity to take part in two live lessons, both linking to our Roman theme! Our first live lesson was titled Feasts and Slaves. The children learned all about the luxurious Roman feasts and the important (but often challenging) role slaves played during these grand events. The lesson transported us into the heart of a Roman banquet, where we discovered the kinds of food Romans loved to eat—like exotic fruit, oysters and even unusual delicacies like dormice! The children were fascinated to learn how Roman slaves were responsible for preparing the food, serving it, and even entertaining the guests. Through this lesson, the children gained a clearer understanding of Roman society and the very different lives that wealthy Romans and slaves lived.
Our second live lesson was all about the Grammaticas—the Roman teachers. We explored what school was like for Roman children, and it was quite different from our modern classrooms! In Roman times, only boys from wealthy families would attend school, where they would be taught by a Grammaticus. We discovered that Roman lessons focused on reading, writing, and learning Latin. The children were fascinated by the strict discipline Roman students faced and the challenging tasks they had to complete.
Overall, it has been an exciting and educational half term, and the children have learned so much about these two fascinating periods in history. We are looking forward to learn even more about Romans after the break.
