Local History: The Cloth Making Industry Facilitated Visit, designed for children in Key Stage 2 groups:

Learning Objectives:

  • Experience using tools and processes similar to those used in the historic cloth making industry to build understanding of what life was like in the past

  • Use a range of sources and real artefacts to learn about significant historical events, people and places in their own locality.

  • Develop and use a wide range of vocabulary of everyday historical terms to note connections, contrasts and trends over time. Continue to develop speaking and listening skills.

  • Ask and answer relevant questions about life in the past.

Activities during the day:

Morning

In the morning 3 groups would usually rotate around these activities, spending approximately 30 mins on each:

Object Handling Session. An expert-led object investigation session to provide learners with the opportunity to get hands on with objects used and processes involved in the production of woollen cloth in the Stroud Valleys. We’ll provide opportunities for sensory investigation and questioning to explore the appearance and use of objects and encourage learning through speaking and listening.

Practical demonstration session by facilitators from the Stroudwater Textile Trust to explore how wool is spun. (small additional charge of £1 per learner in addition to the regular charge of £4 per learner).

Local History Discovery Trail. A chance for children to explore the museum and continue to think about key relevant objects and art that illustrate how Stroud has changed over time.

Afternoon

In the afternoon 2 groups would swap between these activities, spending approximately 30 mins on each:

Observe and discover how Stroud has changed through time. Using maps and photographs to consider changes in transport/ industry/ housing/ landscape, as requested by visiting teacher.

Exploring how cloth is woven. We’ll provide opportunities for thinking about warp and weft and the materials to take part in practical weaving tasks. Learners will usually work together to do some large-scale weaving using the railings outside in the courtyard.

At the end of the day, the whole group gathers, spending about 20 mins in total reviewing the day, what we have seen, done, talked about. If time, we’ll work as a team to create a human loom – more weaving, but ‘bodies on’ rather than ‘hands on’!

Curriculum links: History, Local History, Design and Technology

Find out more about our Local History : The Cloth Making Industry in the Stroud Valleys Remote Learning Package.