Resourceful primary age children have become authors, producing their own hundred-page history book for sale.
Their ‘Roman Handbook’ has been researched, illustrated and produced by seven and eight year olds at St Catherine’s RC Primary School in Burngreave, Sheffield.
This month the finished work was launched within a formal evening event at Waterstones bookshop, when people could meet and talk to the children behind the project, and buy the book, which is also available via the school priced £6.
An exhibition of their learning was demonstrated by the children at the launch, through drama, art work and other interactive activities.
Packed with stories, illustrations and fact files, the completed book is planned as a great learning resource for those who would like to know more about the Romans and the time in which they lived.
Deputy Headteacher Jonathan Lear said: “We are passionate at St Catherine’s about creating authentic learning experiences for our children. Both year three classes have worked incredibly hard on their project about the Romans and have loved creating the content for their book. To be a published author by the age of eight is an incredible achievement; our hope is that this opportunity will not only ignite a love of history, but will also inspire our children to keep writing in the future.”
The Roman period was brought vividly to life for the young researchers, by professional re-enactors who visited classrooms in the guise of a Roman soldier and a Roman citizen. Army drills took place in the playground and pupils handled Roman artefacts.
Mr Lear, who is also an education consultant working to develop creative thinking in schools has recently published his own first book entitled ‘Guerrilla Teaching’. More details about this are available at http://www.independentthinking.co.uk/people/associates-j-p/jonathan-lear.aspx