Picture the Past - Molly Hood, Joan Chambers

Picture the Past

These publications seem to be around forever, and in fact, this one was published in 1992, so they have been going strong for quite some time.

Whilst involved on a recent topic of Ancient Greece with some Upper Key Stage 2 children, I raked this out, and found it had some really useful ideas; no need for me to actually have to think about displays, just open the book, and hey presto.

...
...by full instructions and a picture of the finished make. The instructions are such that older children will be able to follow then, and because the pictures are usually quite self explanatory, younger children could have a go with minimal explanation, as long as they were given the appropriate materials.

At the back of the book there are a series of line drawings, mainly relating to making Victorian decorations, and these can be photocopied, ... more

Picture the Past

These publications seem to be around forever, and in fact, this one was published in 1992, so they have been going strong for quite some time.

Whilst involved on a recent topic of Ancient Greece with some Upper Key Stage 2 children, I raked this out, and found it had some really useful ideas; no need for me to actually have to think about displays, just open the book, and hey presto.

The pictures are of actual displays completed by children in schools, and the acknowledgements at the front of the book let us know which schools. Whilst I know the displays will be "the best" belair could get, it is reassuring to know that they have indeed been done by Primary School children, and not some belair artist in residence.

**The Book**

The book itself is divided neatly into chapters: Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Tudor and Stuart, Victorian, Twentieth Century (this is further divided into decades)

Within each section, there are a number of art ideas, all clearly stated on the Contents page, so if you are involved in a topic and want a "make", just look at the contents page, and see what "grabs" you!

For each activity, there is a bit of information about the period in question, and then a list of materials required, followed by full instructions and a picture of the finished make. The instructions are such that older children will be able to follow then, and because the pictures are usually quite self explanatory, younger children could have a go with minimal explanation, as long as they were given the appropriate materials.

At the back of the book there are a series of line drawings, mainly relating to making Victorian decorations, and these can be photocopied, without breaching any photocopying rules and regulations.

**Other Publications by belair**

Simply artistic
Something Special
Handwork Skills and Themes
A Work of Art
Material Pleasures

As well as the art and craft publications I have listed, belair also produce excellent books, covering Language, Maths, Humanities, Science, Behaviour and also Cross Curricular publications.

**Other Bits of Information**

ISBN: 0 947882 227

Price: My book was £9.99 but check out amazon for prices.

Further info contact Belair Publications, PO Box 12, Twickenham.

**What I think of the book**

For instant inspiration, these publications are excellent.

I have had most recent experience of using this much thumbed copy for Ancient Greece. We produced a rather nice class picture of a Trireme (I didn't know, but I found out it's a light warship), using only card, paper, art straws and paint. The art straws (my favourites in the classroom) also came in handy for a Greek display on which we put an art straw temple- very authentic!

There are great ideas for pots, myths and legends, armour and the Trojan horse, as well as ideas which can be adapted- we used the dolphin fresco in a holiday theme- I am known for very tenuous links!

Each section is similar and has about 20 activities for each historical era, The activities, with adaptations, can be used with children across the Primary age range, for 5-11. I find that older children can make many of the things with very little intervention, and in fact, usually adapt them depending on their own inspiration, which is often better than mine. With adult verbal explanations, young children can get involved in most of the activities, and because the pictures in the book show the finished activity as made by children, they tend not to think theirs is in any way inferior.

I have also used some of the Victorian ideas at Christmas time- making tree decorations, so all in all, for anyone working with children, this is a handy book to have if the muse isn't following you.

Thanks for reading.

Daniela xx
 

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