Using Objects

We can learn a good deal about a society or culture by looking at the things or objects that people use. When we talk about man-made objects from the past, we call them artefacts.

Good reasons for using artefacts with children

The tactile, hands-on experience will suit children across the ability range and can leave a lasting impression.

Teaching History
Artefacts are primary sources of evidence for the past and can give a whole range of information: for example, about everyday life, materials available, technological skills, people's values, trade and communication, change and continuity over time.

They offer opportunites to develop investigative skills: for example, identification, detailed observation, classification, interpretation, recording and communicating.

Teaching Literacy and Numeracy skills
Artefacts can be used as a vehicle to encourage:

• Data recording
• Expressing ideas
• Creative writing
• Descriptive work
• Vocabulary development
• Estimating shape and size
• Measuring
• Drawing to scale

See Discovering Archaeology in National Curriculum History, Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 for activities you can try using both modern objects and archaeological artefacts. You will also find information about museum loan boxes.

English Heritage Education Service have also published a very useful book about working with objects: Learning from Objects, G.Durbin, S. Morris, S.Wilkinson, English Heritage 1990.

Click below for some recording sheets to use with children

A simple artefact record sheet	Looking at artefacts
And more searching exercises	Pottery Report	Artefact Report

Children at Diocesan and Payne Smith CEP School, Canterbury, practised their sketching skills.

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