What will my Viking Day Look Like?
Each Experience Day is always just a little bit different, and Chris is more than happy to adapt the day to what it is your children are learning.
Studying the Battle of Hastings next? Your children can learn the tail of Harald Hardrada, who fought Harold Godwinson in 1066 just as the Normans were about to land.
Law and Order? Take part in a viking trial, and learn how they they were, at times, pioneers of fair trial by jury, and at others, inflictors of terrifying trials by ordeal.
Regardless, the great majority of Experience Days will have some common veins that run through them.
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- Trade! The Vikings might be infamous as warriors, but they have an equally great legacy in trade. Your children will have the chance to earn replica Norse coins by tracking down information, solving riddles and decoding runes. They will then be able to barter and buy (at least temporarily!) replica artefacts that they can handle and observe. Chris will teach them the reach of the Viking merchant empire, the kind of goods (and even people) they bought and sold, and how they went about it all.
- Battle! It wouldn't be a true Viking experience without raiding, pillaging and war! Your children will look at high quality replica weapons and armour, learn the techniques of how they fought, and even have the chance to take part in Viking war formations.
- Myths and Legends! Tails of the Gods, the great tree Yggdrasil, which connects the nine worlds, the world serpent, the Valkyries. Odin, Thor, Loki and Ragnarok. The Gods and mythology of the ancient Norse religion will come back to life through interactive learning, acting, fireside stories and challenges.
These are just a few of the activities your children will have the opportunity to experience with the Whole Day and Half Day packages, details of which can be found here.
Chris Answers some Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Experience suitable for my school?
The Viking Experience Days are largely tailored for Key Stage 2 children. Assemblies are aimed at wider primary school audiences. Chris will endeavour to suit the experience to the individual needs of your children, and always aims to ensure they are inclusive and suitable for all who take part.
In consultation with teachers to understand the level and learning objectives of the class(es), the experiences can be suited to Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 3 children.
If your children have a high degree of additional needs, be they learning or behavioural, Chris will consult with you beforehand about what changes, if any, need to be made. Chris has extensive experience in working with autistic children and children with different needs, but by its nature, the experience can be loud and stimulating with physical as well as mental activity, and topics that include war and death (albeit from a thousand or more years ago). Please do contact Chris with any concerns you might have. He is keen to involve as many children as much as possible.