National Museum of Ireland

Bronze Age Handling Box

Resources & Activities

Resources for Teachers

Generic Resources & Activities

A number of generic and specific (object related) resources and activities were designed to tell the story of the Bronze Age in Ireland. All resources can be downloaded and printed for use in the classroom. Generic resources can be used interchangeably from object to object.

These activities enable students to: know that the Bronze Age shows evidence of technological, economic and social change and continuity; discuss the implications of archaeological finds for our understanding of life in Ireland during the Bronze Age; connect archaeological finds to human experience and understand that historical knowledge is provisional, incomplete and subject to change.

  • Timeline (Resource A)

    A timeline template has been prepared as a generic resource to enable students to develop their understanding of time, chronology, change and continuity. This activity involves the construction of a coherent and usable historical framework which is an essential element of historical literacy. Prehistoric time periods in Ireland are specified as a guide in this template and a wider range of time periods can be added. The timeline is designed for use either horizontally or vertically. Before embarking on this activity, take some time to work with the students to locate key events and periods they have studied in history. Write them on cards and place them on your timeline.

    Click here to download the timeline template. It is suggested that this resource be printed on A3 sheets if possible.

  • Word Hoard (Resource B)

    A Word Hoard wall chart template and a series of flash cards have been prepared as a generic resource to support a range of activities and enhance learning about the Bronze Age. Both the Word Hoard template and the ‘Brainstorm’ flash cards can be downloaded and printed out for use in the classroom. It is recommended to print the Word Hoard on a large sheet if possible.

    This resource can be set up in the classroom and used to display the flash cards. Other words associated with the Bronze Age and identified by students and/or teachers during activities can be added to the wall chart.

    Click here to download the Word Hoard template. Click here to download the ‘Brainstorm’ Flash Cards.

  • Enquiry Card (Resource C)

    An Enquiry Card template has been prepared as a generic resource to use interchangeably with the Handling Box objects. This resource helps students synthesise and communicate their learning and is designed for students at Senior Primary level.

    This resource can be downloaded and photocopied for use in the classroom. Click here to download the Enquiry Card template.

  • Synthesis Template (Resource D)

    A Synthesis template has been prepared as a generic resource to use interchangeably with the Handling Box objects. This resource helps students synthesise and communicate their learning and is designed for students at Junior Cycle level. This resource works best at the conclusion of classroom work on each object to reinforce learning.

    Click here to download the Synthesis template.

  • Display Card (Resource E)

    A Display Card template has been prepared as a generic resource to use interchangeably with the Handling Box objects. This resource helps students synthesise and communicate their learning and is designed for students at both Senior Primary and Junior Cycle level. Students can use this resource to create a museum display card for the object as it would appear in a museum exhibition.

    Click here to download the Display Card template.

  • Bronze Age Board Game (Resource F)

    A Bronze Age Board Game has been designed as part of the Handling Box Resource. The game centres around copper mining at Mount Gabriel and the journey of a Bronze Age man, from his home to the mines to mine copper ore, and from there to the sea to meet a boat trading in tin. Progress through the game is determined by the throw of a dice, by directions printed on the board and by the chance cards. All of the incidents named on the cards are informed by archaeological, anthropological, geological and zoological evidence of the period. The board itself helps to illustrate to the students the nature of the terrain and the flora and fauna in Ireland at this time.

    Click here to read more about the Bronze Age Board Game. The Board Game and all of the required playing components can only be accessed through the Bronze Age Handling Box.Contact your local Education Centre to book a Handling Box for your classroom.


Specific Resources & Activities

Flint

Click here to go to the Resources and Activities section for flint

Copper

Click here to go to the Resources and Activities section for copper

Bronze Axehead

Click here to go to the Resources and Activities section for the axehead

Bronze Spearhead

Click here to go to the Resources and Activities section for the spearhead

Sheepskin

Click here to go to the Resources and Activities section for sheepskin

Amber

Click here to go to the Resources and Activities section for amber


Activities involving all Objects

These activities are designed to combine the learning from the individual objects in order to address how this collection of objects and raw material in the Handling Box enhances our understanding of life in Ireland during the Bronze Age.

Concept Maps 1 and 2

These activities bring together all of the objects in the Handling box and allow students to make connections between them in response to the question, 'How many connections can we make?'. Click here to download Concept Map 1. Click here to download Concept Map 2.

Story Maps 1 and 2

Story Maps 1 and 2 provide students with the opportunity to plan a fictional story about the Bronze Age that is evidence-based. All of the objects in the Handling Box can be used in these activities. When the story maps are created, students can write and illustrate their stories. Students can also develop a piece of fictional writing on the Bronze Age as a class book. Encourage students to use the Word Hoard to help them. For Story Map 2 students can plan an evidence-based 'people in history' account of a Bronze Age person.

Click here to download Story Map 1 for Senior Primary. Click here to download Story Map 2 for Junior Cycle.


The Bronze Age Handling Box Resource Book

The content of the Resource Book is available throughout this website. Click here to download a PDF version of the Resource Book.

The Bronze Age Handling Box Resource Project was developed by: