Education at Denny
The Abbey and the Farmland Museum
Craft sessions
All these are led by museum staff, and in each case children have something to take home with them (or, in the case of cottage cheese, consume on the spot!).
Craft sessions
Craft sessions are fun, educational, and create an interest that the child can follow up later. They also lend themselves to many different subject and skill areas of the curriculum. We recommend that any visit contain at least one of these activities.
Below are some suggestions of how each craft could fit into the theme of your visit.
Cottage cheese making
In this session, children learn why people in the past made cottage cheese with milk that wouldn't keep fresh for long. They learn about the simple equipment and the process involved in making the cottage cheese, and in groups they can make some for themselves and taste it.
This will give them an understanding of any historical period from Medieval times onwards, and will teach them an interesting skill which requires listening, following instructions and teamwork.
(Equipment is sterilised before the visit).
Middle Ages, Tudors, Victorians, 1930’s, 2nd World War, 1950’s, Waste and sustainability, Numeracy
Bread making
In this session, children learn why people in the past had to make their own bread. They learn about the simple equipment and the process involved in making the bread, and in groups they can make different shaped rolls for themselves.
This will give them an understanding of any historical period from Medieval times onwards, and will teach them an interesting skill which requires listening, following instructions and teamwork.
(Equipment is sterilised before the visit. We strongly advise that the bread is not eaten, but simply used for display purposes).
Middle Ages, Tudors, Victorians, 1930’s, 2nd World War, 1950’s, Waste and sustainability, Numeracy
Rag rug making
In this session, children learn why people in the past had to make their own rugs. They learn about the simple equipment and the process involved in making the rugs, and then can make a small rug for themselves.
This will give them an understanding of life in any historical period from Medieval times onwards, and particularly in the Victorian and 20th century eras. It will also teach them an interesting skill which requires listening, following instructions and practising a practical technique.
Middle Ages, Tudors, Victorians, 1930’s, 2nd World War, 1950’s, Waste and sustainability,
Victorian decorating
In this session children learn about the fascination, particularly in Victorian times, for the hobby (and business) of making cards and large designs, using old scraps of paper and material. They learn about the equipment and the process involved, and are shown examples. They will then practise designing and making their own piece of decoration by cutting and sticking coloured pictures and material onto card or a box.
This will give them an understanding of an aspect of life in Victorian times, and of the general period. It will also teach them an interesting skill which requires listening and following instructions, as well as practising design and practical techniques.
Victorians, 1930’s, 2nd World War, 1950’s, Waste and sustainability,
Tile making
In this session, children learn why people living on the site in the past had to make their own tiles. They learn about the simple equipment and the process involved in making tiles, and are shown examples from the abbey. They will then design and make tiles for themselves out of air-drying clay.
This will give them an understanding of life on the site, and of the general Medieval and Tudor periods. It will also teach them an interesting skill which requires listening and following instructions, as well as practising design and practical techniques.
Middle Ages, Tudors,
Medieval manuscript writing
In this session, children will learn why people living in Medieval and Tudor times copied manuscripts. They will learn about the equipment and the process involved in making a manuscript, including materials and techniques, and are shown examples. They will then practise writing with quill pens and ink, and will have the opportunity to copy and colour illuminated letters and write their own manuscript.
This will give them an understanding of life on the site, and of the general Medieval and Tudor periods. It will also teach them an interesting skill which requires listening and following instructions, as well as practising design and practical techniques.
(Given the nature of this activity, this session is more suitable for KS2 pupils, and above.)
Middle Ages, Tudors, Literacy
Middle Ages, Tudors,
Stained glass window design
In this session, children learn how Medieval and Tudor craftsmen designed and made stained glass windows. They learn about the equipment and the process involved, and are shown examples. They will then practise designing and making their own stained glass window by cutting and sticking coloured acetate onto an outline.
This will give them an understanding of life on the site, and of the general Medieval and Tudor periods. It will also teach them an interesting skill which requires listening and following instructions, as well as practising design and practical techniques.
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