Saxon Settlements: Investigating Materials and Design

This activity for Year 3 (Key Stage 2) delves into the fascinating world of Anglo-Saxon settlements, specifically focusing on the materials they used for building. While 'Saxons' is a history topic, this activity incorporates elements of scientific enquiry by investigating material properties and design choices. Children will learn about the challenges faced by Anglo-Saxons and how they ingeniously used natural resources. They will then apply this understanding to design and potentially build a model of a Saxon house, considering the strengths and weaknesses of different materials. This aligns with the National Curriculum for History (understanding changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, including Anglo-Saxons) and Science (identifying and comparing the suitability of a variety of everyday materials for particular uses).

1. Introduction (10 minutes): Begin by discussing what children already know about Anglo-Saxons. Introduce the idea of settlements and homes. Ask: 'What materials do we use to build our homes today?' and 'What materials do you think people used a long, long time ago when there were no shops like B&Q?' Show images or a short video clip of reconstructed Anglo-Saxon houses (e.g., from West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village).
2. Material Exploration (20 minutes): Provide children with a selection of natural materials that would have been available to Anglo-Saxons (e.g., sticks, straw, mud/clay, small stones, dried grass, leaves). In small groups, ask them to investigate these materials. Prompt questions: 'What does it feel like?', 'Is it strong or weak?', 'Is it waterproof?', 'Would it keep you warm?', 'How easy would it be to cut or shape?' Encourage them to record their observations.
3. Saxon House Design Challenge (30 minutes): Explain that Anglo-Saxons used materials like wood, wattle and daub (a mix of clay, mud, straw), and thatch for roofs. Challenge groups to design an Anglo-Saxon house, considering the properties of the materials they explored. They should draw their design, label the materials they would use for each part (walls, roof, floor), and explain why they chose those materials (e.g., 'I chose straw for the roof because it's light and good for insulation').
4. Optional: Model Building (60+ minutes, could be a separate lesson): If time and resources allow, provide materials for children to construct a small model of their Saxon house design. This could be done using cardboard boxes as a base, and then applying their chosen natural materials. This hands-on element reinforces their understanding of material properties and construction challenges.
5. Plenary and Discussion (10 minutes): Gather the class to share their designs or models. Discuss: 'What were the biggest challenges Anglo-Saxons faced when building their homes?' 'Which materials were most effective for different parts of the house?' 'How do Saxon homes compare to our homes today in terms of materials and comfort?'

• Images or short video clips of Anglo-Saxon settlements/houses (e.g., West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village).
• A variety of natural materials: sticks, straw, mud/clay, small stones, dried grass, leaves (ensure these are clean and safe for children to handle).
• Worksheets for recording material observations and house designs (optional).
• Drawing materials: paper, pencils, colouring pencils.
• (Optional for model building): Cardboard boxes, glue, scissors, additional natural materials.

Children will be successful if they can:

• Identify at least three materials Anglo-Saxons used for building.
• Describe a property of at least two of these materials (e.g., strong, waterproof, insulating).
• Design a simple Anglo-Saxon house, labelling the materials for different parts.
• Explain their material choices based on their properties.