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Hoard of coins

Exploring Evidence

Become an investigator for the day and put your thinking skills to the test. Explore real and replica objects from our handling collections, then tell us what you see, think and wonder about objects as diverse as elephant skin, Canadian snow shoes and fossilized tree bark.

Become an investigator for the day and put your thinking skills to the test. Explore real and replica objects from our handling collections, then tell us what you see, think and wonder about objects as diverse as elephant skin, Canadian snow shoes and fossilized tree bark.

Suitable for Levels 3 & 4 (S1-3)

10:15 / 12:45

Pre-workshop resources to download

  • Bare Bones (371kb)
  • What's in your bag? (638kb)

What will my pupils do in the workshop?

Discuss the nature of evidence.

  • What is evidence? 
  • Why is it important? 
  • How can it be difficult to use?
  • Discuss the difference between primary and secondary sources.

Exploring the evidence

  • Work in small groups of 3-4 to explore an object from the collections.
  • Each group will discuss their own object and write down what:
    • They see or feel (I see)
    • Their thoughts are about the evidence (I think)
    • They still wonder about the evidence (I wonder)
  • After a set time, move onto the next table, bringing with them only their marker pen.  Presented with a new piece of evidence, this time they will read and discuss the previous group’s thoughts and mark whether they agree or disagree? Then they will add their own observations to the list.
  • Move round and repeat the process for the other artefacts.

Feedback

  • Groups will return to their original tables and consider what has been added to their lists and any comments that have been made. 
  • Decide whether they agree or disagree with these comments and explain their reasoning to the class
  • Find out what their objects actually are and how they are / were used.

Curriculum areas and key learning outcomes

Social Studies

 

People, past events and societies

 

I can evaluate conflicting sources of evidence to sustain a line of argument

SOC4-01a

Literacy and English

 

Tools for listening and talking

When I engage with others, I can make a relevant contribution, ensure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute and encourage them to take account of others’ points of view or alternative solutions.

LIT4-02a

Understanding, analysing and evaluating

To help me develop an informed view, I can identify some of the techniques used to influence or persuade and can assess the value of my sources.

LIT4-08a

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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130