Learning at Elmbridge Museum

Elmbridge Museum offers a range of opportunities for learning for audiences of all ages.

Discovery boxes

Discovery boxes of original and replica objects are available for loan from Elmbridge Museum. These are a real treasure trove providing hands-on experience of objects that may well keep you guessing as to what they are!

Boxes contain objects, notes on the subject and teacher's notes. Some boxes contain extra resources such as images, books and CD ROMs.

Discovery boxes are perfect for object-handling, role-play and reminiscence sessions! Choose from the following topics:

• |Seaside holidays
• |Victorian costume
• |Victorian domestic life
• |Romans
• |Toys from the past
• |Wash day
• |Light
• |Tudors
• |World War I
• |World War II
• |20th century underwear

(Teachers please note that these boxes support National Curriculum topics.)

School sessions

A school sessions service is available either at Elmbridge Museum, in the classroom or at your community venue. The Museum's Learning Officer presents an introductory interactive session using discovery box resources. This is followed by topic related activities. Choose from literacy, numeracy or art and design. Sessions last for one and a half to two hours and the charges set out below are per classroom session.

Choose from the following topics:

• Ancient Greeks
• |Romans
• |Tudors
• |Seaside holidays
• |Victorian costume
• |Victorian domestic life
• |Toys from the past
• |Wash day
• |Light
• |Tudors
• |World War I
• |World War II
• |20th century underwear
• Local history (Museum site only)

Charges

• Hire of Discovery Boxes/fortnight [In Borough] - £5.45
• Hire of Discovery Boxes/fortnight [Out of Borough] - £10.90
• School Session [In Borough] - £11.00
• School Session [Out of Borough] - £16.25
• Adult Talks [In Borough] - £27.25
• Adult Talks [Out of Borough] - £54.50

Topics covered in discovery boxes and school sessions

• Seaside holidays
• Victorian costume
  A rare chance for pupils to handle and try on genuine Victorian accessories and items of clothing. Objects include a gentleman's removable collar, ladies' gloves, a jet mourning necklace and a hat pin. Accompanied by full notes describing what the objects tell us about Victorian life. Suitable for Key Stage 2.
• Victorian domestic life
  Household items such as a knife cleaner and stoneware hot-water bottle. Includes background information, notes on the objects, suggested activities and worksheets. Suitable for Key Stages 1 and 2.
• Romans
• Toys from the past
  19th and 20th centuries. Original as well as replica objects are included. Featuring a whip and top, Diablo and various board games. Complete with background notes on the objects. Suitable for Key Stage 1.
• Wash day
• Light
  This box meets the needs of this science topic, which can tied into looking at how people used to live. Objects include a Roman oil lamp, a pair of candle snuffers and an oil lantern. Supplemented with teachers' notes and activity sheets. Suitable for Key Stage 1.
• Tudors
  Artefacts relating to Tudor life and Henry VIII's Oatlands Palace with illustrations, slides and photographs. Suitable for Key Stage 2.
• World War I
  Postcards, objects, books, photographs, letters and newspapers recording both life at home and at the front. Suitable for Key Stage 3.
• World War II
  Objects (including gas masks), slides, notes, newspapers, leaflets and other information on the Home Front. Includes a new video looking at the role of women and children. Suitable for Key Stage 3.
• 20th century underwear
• Ancient Greeks

To book learning sessions or discovery boxes, please contact the Museum via |e-mail or telephone 01932843573.