I'm often asked what's in a workshop, so here is a quick description of a basic
'Victor the Veteran' session. I have to stress that I can and do deliver loads of other things, but as many primary schools want their children to
'Meet a Roman Soldier' here's what we could fit into an hour or a hour and a half.
I base the workshop on the idea of meeting a Roman
Soldier, who will recruit the children in to the Army. I am in
costume and describe myself as an Evocatus or Veteran Soldier back in
the Army after 25 years service. I try to work as interactivity as
possible, with plenty of movement, almost all of my equipment and
armour is replica and can be handled by the children, I have tunics
for the children to wear and wooden shields and foam 'spears' to use when drilling the group.
The
session will be;
Introduce
myself and talk briefly about the people living in the area before
the Romans, question and answer as to why they might want to join
the Army.
I recruit them and check if
they are fit for duty (with as much movement as the space will
allow).
Using a couple of volunteers
show the dress and equipment of a Legionary and Auxiliary soldier.
Dress
the group in tunics, issue them with shields and weapons and drill
them as recruits using Latin commands.
Replicas
to handle, including armour.
It's informative, fun and usually generates loads of questions from the children. I can run this workshop almost anywhere, from a large classroom, school hall or playground to a site as part of a visit.
There is movement, plenty of language, both English and Latin and it is visual. This way I can engage children with different learning styles.
I have a collection of replica objects, all with a bit of a story and all can be handled by the children.
If this interests you, please get in touch, I'm sure I can adapt it to your needs.
Roy Lawson
rlwsn@btinternet.com
07960 125218
