CONTENTS:
ROMAN HISTORY for SCHOOLS 2010
CROFTON ROMAN VILLA, ORPINGTON BR6 8AF
(Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit)
"...The only Roman Villa in Greater London open to schools..."
OPEN: 2nd April to 29th October 2010
Ten rooms of this Roman villa-house are on view with the remains of an extensive hypocaust system (under-floor central heating) in five rooms and evidence of opus signinum (concrete) and tessellated (tiled) floors. With graphic displays, models, Touch Table and activities for children.
Schools are cordially invited to visit the Crofton Roman Villa. Facilities are designed for to meet the National Curriculum and are targeted at Key Stage 2. The very popular Roman Villa Activity Workshops are available throughout the opening season. Also in October a special Introduction to Life in Roman Britain week is on offer. We do hope your school will join in. Please read on for further details.
For further information and to book a visit please contact:
Ann Mackenzie, 11 Pickhurst Park, Bromley BR2 0UE.
Telephone: 0780 513 8465.
Email: crofton.rom.villa@btinternet.com.
- teachers can preview the Villa during normal opening hours (April — October: Wednesdays and Fridays: 10am to 4.30pm and Sundays: 1st and 3rd in the month only: 2 to 4.30pm), free of charge.
- if you would like a full-day visit, your Villa visit can combine with a visit to Bromley Borough Museum, the Priory, Church Hill, Orpington BR6 0HH, booked directly with the Museum. Contact the Curator on 01689 873826.
- during your visit booklets, postcards and souvenirs are on sale at the Villa shop (most items are £1.50 or under).
- to save time during your visit "Roman" packs can be ordered at the time of booking. Packs cost either £1 each (two postcards, an activity booklet, a logo pen and pencil) or £2 each (as above plus a replica Roman coin and a second activity booklet).
- free transport is available for Greater London schools using public buses or tramlink. Phone 0845 330 9876 or email schoolparty@tfl.gov.uk.
If your school is unable to make a class visit (or even if you do!) children and families are welcome to visit during normal opening hours (see above).
Facilities and activities are designed for children undertaking school projects.
These include graphic displays on Roman life — the villa, food, clothes, boys and girls, toys and games, mosaics and soldiers.
Activities include Roman games, dressing up, brass rubbing and mosaic making.
Special events for children are held in the holidays.
Please do send for information leaflets for your class.
Charge: £2.50 per child (teachers and helpers free).
Duration: 2 hours.
Minimum number of pupils 20 and maximum 60.
Available: Wednesdays and Fridays.
Thursdays: Bromley Borough schools only.
(with Kent Archaeological Unit staff).
Workshops consist of two talks, each followed by activities, when the children divide into smaller groups (up to 15 children).
- the Roman villa-house: an archaeologist describes the discovery and excavation of the Villa and explains the remains of the house — its walls, roof, floors and hypocaust (central heating) and its end in circa AD410.
- life in the Roman villa: a second session covers life on the farm and in the house with Roman artefacts and replica Roman domestic objects, including pottery and jewellery. Four children are dressed as Romans — a little girl, a married lady, a farm boy and a senator.
- handling and drawing Roman artefacts activity: each child has a finds tray of Roman artefacts with identification and handling followed by drawing and labelling (drawings are taken back to school).
- mosaic making activity: Unit staff briefly outline how the Romans made mosaics, followed by mosaic making with individual trays, coloured "tesserae" and Roman patterns to follow.
- "brass rubbing" activity: "rubbing" of figures of Roman soldiers, Julius Caesar and gladiators (14cms high) with a brief written description about figures and instructions how to "rub" given by Unit staff (rubbings are taken back to school).
Teachers and helpers are requested to help during the activity sessions. This is a very full 2-hour programme so late arrival may result in the activities having to be curtailed.
A special activity event.
Dates: Monday 11th to Friday 15th October.
Charge: £3.00 per child (teachers and helpers free).
Duration: 2 hours.
Minimum number of pupils 25 and maximum 30.
(with three Kent Archaeological Unit staff).
- AD43 The Celts: three children dress as Celts.
- The Roman Invasion: defeat of the Celts — a Roman soldiers' armour and weapons (with adult replica items) — six children dress up as Roman soldiers and drill, with military diplomas awarded.
- Settling in: a new capital city, towns, roads and villas.
- the Roman villa-house: an archaeologist describes the discovery of the site, the excavations and the villa-house remains.
- design a Roman mosaic pattern: Unit staff briefly outline how the Romans made mosaics. Children then design a "Roman" mosaic pattern with coloured tiles.
- life on the Roman villa: Livia, a Roman lady, describes life on the farm and in the house, with Roman artefacts and replica Roman domestic objects.
- growing up as a Roman: Roman babies — games and toys — Roman lessons, with four children dressed up and the class learning the Roman alphabet, some Latin words and Roman numerals.