A Musuem in the classroom - Year 5 explore ancient Greek artefacts

There was a palpable sense of excitement in the classroom as our Year 5 pupils stepped into the shoes of real historians. Transforming our room into our very own museum, the children embarked on a hands-on historical enquiry, working directly with authentic artefacts generously on loan from the Saffron Walden Museum.

Spread across various investigation stations in the room was a captivating mix of historical items—from intricate pottery fragments and detailed statues to ancient coins.

Equipped with their historian hat on and a list of key prompt questions, the young historians moved around the stations to examine each item closely. Rather than just reading facts, they actively questioned the objects, using critical thinking to piece together the narrative of the past:

• What is this item made of?

• What could it have been used for?

• What does this tell us about everyday life during this era?

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

'I learned that the Ancient Greek people often wore jewellery - including the slaves.' - Agnes 

'I found out that they had some theatres - there was a mask which they would use for that,' - Olive 

'Although there were lots of jobs there were lots of entertainment choices in Ancient Greece such as the Greek theatre.' - Aadhavan 

'It was cool to see the different things that the Greek people used.' - Bella 

By observing the weight, texture, and markings on the pottery, analyzing the craftsmanship of the statues, and inspecting the imagery on the coins, the children began drawing their own evidence-based conclusions. The classroom was buzzing as pupils debated potential uses, compared their theories, and pieced together clues about trade, artistry, and daily routines from the period.

This enquiry-based approach allowed Year 5 to do more than just learn about history—they practiced the exact methods used by professional archaeologists and curatorial teams. A huge thank you to the Saffron Walden Museum for providing us with these incredible loan resources and giving our pupils an unforgettable, hands-on encounter with history!