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EYFS & KEY STAGE 1 ACTIVITIES

Ages 5 – 7 YEARS

The Historic Dockyard is a fascinating and awe-inspiring place for young visitors. Our Early Years and Key Stage One visitors are always amazed by the size of the ships and buildings in our collection and there is always plenty to see and do.

Where else can your pupils board a real ship, meet a pirate, visit a collection of historic lifeboats and play in our indoor or outdoor play areas all on the same day? If you would like an accompanied visit, our expert Learning team member will guide and assist your group throughout your visit.

Why not add some of our brilliant practical taught activities to your day?

Read on for the full range of EYFS and KS1 activities …

Maritime material Handling session

What’s in the bag?

In this session, your pupils will investigate sealed bags containing a selection of materials used in shipbuilding. In groups, children model a ship hull shape from polymer and float it in our bespoke ship-model testing tank to discover how metal ships float even under wind and wave conditions.

Curriculum links: EYFS: C&L, PS & E, UTW KS1: English (Spoken Language), Science (Everyday Materials)

Make your own skipping rope

In this session, your pupils will investigate sealed bags containing a selection of materials used in shipbuilding. In groups, children model a ship hull shape from polymer and float it in our bespoke ship-model testing tank to discover how metal ships float even under wind and wave conditions.

Curriculum links: EYFS: C&L, PS & E, UTW KS1: English (Spoken Language), Science (Everyday Materials)

Jack and the flum fulm tree by Julian Donaldson

Jack’s Granny is sick with a bad case of the moozles! And the only cure is the fruit of the fantastic Flum Flum tree which grows on the faraway Isle of Blowyernose. Children take part in story time, deciding what they would take in their patchwork bag if they were going on a journey like Jack.

Curriculum links: EYFS: C&L, PS & E, EA&D. KS1: English (Spoken Language), Reading (Comprehension), Science (Everyday Materials), Art and Design

swashbuckling adventure

Pirates AhoY!

Board our historic sailing ship, HMS GANNET, to meet our resident pirate and experience the life of a swashbuckler first-hand. Dressing up, singing, playing percussion instruments and storytelling will fire your pupils’ imagination. Make your own pieces of eight to take back to class as souvenirs of your pirate adventure.

Curriculum links: EYFS: C&L, PD, PS & E KS1: English (Spoken Language), Reading (Comprehension), History, Music

Ship Building Challenge

Full Speed Ahead!

Stimulated by the National Maritime Museum model collection, pupils work in groups to build a ship’s hull and fit it with a motor. Facing the challenge of the tow tank wind and wave machine, groups compete against each other in trials, evaluating their designs.

Curriculum links: KS1: Design & Technology, Science (Forces, Working Scientifically), History (Local history), Mathematics (Measurement, Geometry, KS1 Design and Technology)

Rocket Launching

Ready, aim fire

Taking their inspiration from the Sea Cat missiles on board HMS CAVALIER, The Historic Dockyard’s own Destroyer, your pupils will work in teams to create rockets and fire them from our specially designed air pressure launcher, aiming to hit a target. Which team will sink the battleship?

Curriculum links: KS1: Science (Forces, Working Scientifically), Maths (Geometry)

victorian heroine

Grace darling

Experiencing the highlights of the largest collection of RNLI Historic lifeboats in the country, pupils will re-enact the inspirational story of Grace Darling in the atmospheric lifeboat station (weather permitting). Using costume, props and sound effects, they will bring this Victorian heroine’s story to life.

Curriculum links: EYFS C&L, PS&E, UTW KS1: History – Significant Individuals, English (Spoken Language, Reading (Comprehension), Art.

A message to say a big thank you for our fantastic day at the Dockyard on Wednesday. We felt looked after from the moment we arrived and the children were kept busy all day! The children were able to experience naval history in a way that they would never have been able to in the classroom, whilst getting involved with all the hands-on activities.Thank you for a fun and memorable experience!

ABI MULFORD AND BLUEBELL CLASS

Get in touch

Please use the form below to tell us as much as you can about the visit you’re planning and a member of our learning team will contact you to discuss your plans in more detail.


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