Home learning Ideas-Traders and Raiders

• Look at King Alfred’s pledge: ‘I desired to live worthily as long as I lived, and to leave after my life, to the men who should come after me, the memory of me in good works’. Write a pledge – how would you like to be remembered in the future?

 • Look at images of Anglo-Saxon coins. Can you design a coin? You could draw a picture or use modelling clay or other materials to make your coin look like metal – use your imagination!

 • Do some research about Viking names and their meanings, and make up some suitable Viking names for your friends and family. Remember to describe something about each person’s appearance or characteristics.

• Research some simple Viking embroidery patterns. Using a needle and coloured threads, embroider a small handkerchief. Maybe you could give it to someone as a present?

• Look at animals in Viking art (search online for the Urnes or Jellinge styles). Can you design and draw an imaginary beast to make a fantastic pattern?

 • Find out more about the Futhark alphabet (also known as the runic alphabet), used by the Vikings. Write a short message using the runic characters. Vikings wrote on wood, bone and stone. What will you use?

• Listen online to someone speaking Old English or Old Norse. Can you recognise any of the words? Can you learn how to express a greeting or phrase in one of these ancient languages?

 • Imagine you are a Viking skald or poet. Create a poem to sing the praises of a friend or family member.

 • Dress up in a typical Saxon or Viking costume. Are you a farmer, warrior, child or tradesperson? Red and gold were favourite colours, but poorer people might not have been able to afford to dye their cloth.

• Find out about real treasure (often known as hoards) discovered from this period. Sutton Hoo and the Staffordshire Hoard are good examples. You might find information on hoards close to your school. However, exact locations are often kept secret. Can you think why?