Upton pupils ‘go back’ to the Stone Age

Upton pupils have been spending the day as cavemen and women

Children at Upton Junior School in Broadstairs were transported back to prehistoric Britain as they began their exploration of the Stone Age.

To introduce the topic to Year 3 pupils the school invited boys and girls to spend the day dressed as cavemen and women and take part in a series of hands-on workshops.

Over the coming weeks they will discover how early humans used tools and weapons made out of stone, ate nuts, fruit and roots, hunted for fish and meat with harpoons and spears, and used animal skins for clothes and shelters.

As part of the topic launch WOW Day, the Year 3 team also took part in a KIC Theatre themed drama workshop, and examined precious Stone Age artefacts and a human skeleton discovered in the area with the Trust for Thanet Archaeology.

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Head of Year 3 Fran Pellett said: “This a fascinating period in our history and it is always one of the most popular for our children who embark on a real journey of discovery over the coming weeks.

“They research the period and create cave art drawings of stags, horses, bisons and birds; they make outdoor shelters out of sticks and branches; and take part on a scavenging trail on the school field.

“They investigate fossils, prehistoric tools, weapons and jewellery, and visit Dover Museum’s marvellous displays including a boat that illustrates the change from Stone Age to Bronze Age.

“As part of their literacy studies the pupils will keep a diary of a Stone Age child and that also involves fact-finding.

“We do everything we can to bring this period to life so they engage fully with their studies and immerse themselves in the topic.”