Year 3 Discover Ancient Egypt at the British Museum

Year 3 recently enjoyed a fascinating trip to the British Museum as part of our learning about Ancient Egypt. We walked to the museum in pleasant weather and arrived in good time for a special lecture on everyday life in Ancient Egypt, delivered by an expert in the museum’s impressive lecture theatre.

The talk brought a number of remarkable artefacts to life by connecting them to the everyday experiences of people living thousands of years ago. The children were particularly interested in the famous tomb painting of Nebamun hunting in the marshes, and they listened carefully and asked thoughtful questions throughout. The museum expert later commented on how impressed they were by the pupils’ knowledge, enthusiasm and curiosity.

After the lecture, the children explored the Upper Egyptian galleries, where they encountered a wide range of extraordinary objects including mummies, paintings and other artefacts from ancient Egyptian life. Using worksheets to guide their exploration, the pupils looked closely at the objects and deepened their understanding of this remarkable civilisation.

Before leaving, we gathered for a photograph outside the museum. The rain began just as we started our walk back to school, but fortunately we arrived before the weather became too heavy.

Many thanks to the parent volunteers who kindly gave up their time to accompany us and support the children during the visit. Their help made the trip possible and greatly enriched the pupils’ experience.

The children were then set their first challenge: to build their own pyramid using LEGO. Before they began constructing, they discussed how to make their pyramids strong and sturdy, thinking carefully about the importance of solid foundations and stable structures. The children showed excellent teamwork and problem-solving skills as they worked together and independently to design and build well-structured pyramids.

Once their pyramids were complete, the children were given a bonus challenge. They were asked to design and create another Ancient Egyptian structure using LEGO. This could include a form of transport used on the River Nile or an Ancient Egyptian monument. The children demonstrated great creativity and imagination, producing a wide range of impressive designs.

It was wonderful to see the children applying their STEM skills while also deepening their understanding of Ancient Egyptian history. They thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and showed fantastic collaboration, creativity and resilience throughout the workshop.