It’s probably not
helpful, merely anecdotal and supportive.
A former colleague of
mine (a history education specialist) once came up with the hugely memorable
aphorism about getting children interested in history (she used it on the occasion of the Department getting sniffy about a leaflet that included an explanation of Roman sanitary arrangements):
“When you’re teaching
history, it’s good to bear in mind that pupils are always fascinated by sex,
death and toilets”
Barry Creasy
research,
consultation, evaluation, cultural analysis
A:
43b
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020 7625
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07791
869670
From: List for discussion of
issues in museum education in the UK. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sally Turner
Sent: 20 July 2011 13:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Violence/ Blood/
Gore
Another problem I am hoping GEM can
resolve.
We offer Viking Days at
We have been doing the same session for around 4
years and have had excellent feedback, our re-enactor does this same session as
a freelance at many other locations, he has his own insurance, was a teacher for
26 years, is an actor (and been in Harry Potter!) and is now doing a PHD on the
topic. So we are quite happy that he knows his stuff.
However we
had 2 complaints from 2 different schools in the same week saying that the session is un-suitable for Year 3s and even Primary aged children. One
teacher even stopped the session half-way through and asked to do something else!
The session is aimed a Year 3-5 and the children are asked to
do various tasks like hold the shield while the re-enactor places a spear into,
to show how the spearhead gets stuck in the shield and comes off. He always stage manages the children well so he knows exactly where they are (and what
they may be likely to do) so he is in control should the child not do as they
are asked.
The teachers thought that children should not be
handling weapons (especially sharp ones) at all, and also they do not like him
telling the children about mercy killings on the gangrenous battle field and
they believed their children would go home and slit other children's
throats.
I know our sessions are rather violent and gory, and I
have to admit the first time I watched it I was a bit on the edge of my seat,
however for 4 years we have never had even a bad comment- never mind a
complaint. It was my understanding that when learning about the Vikings they
should learn the truth- death and all, and it seems that with horrible histories
there is a lot of it out there.
Has anyone come across something
similar? I am wondering whether to research what rating it would be if it was a
film such as PG or 12A?
There have been knife killings in the news
for the past few years- it isn't something that has just popped up- so I don't
know why this is all happening all of a sudden?
Sally