Hambledon Cottage Parramatta

 Schools Programme

Hambledon Cottage offers a comprehensive program for schools,
 with a wide variety of hands-on activities, 
all designed to fit into about 1.5 hours. 

                                      

                       Ironing in the Kitchen                                                      Writing with slates!                                   Jacobs ladder                                     Candle-lit dining (room)!       

 

                                                       

                                           Front yard                                                                            Dress-ups in the Bedroom                                                                 The amazing dripstone                                    

DURATION – the visit lasts about 1½ hours.

CURRICULUM – based on NSW  HSIE syllabus - "Present and Past Family Life" for Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) or in 2014 to "Then and Now" for Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4)

It shows the children what it was like living in the "olden days" (when Mr & Mrs Macarthur's grown-up children and grandchildren lived in the cottage) and compare it with current lifestyles.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE – all children get a chance to do each activity.

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The SCHOOL PROGRAMME:

•                   The school arrives via the front door and all children leave their bags in vestibule.
•              All children and teachers are welcomed.
•              Teachers are asked to split the children into groups of about 10.
•              They are introduced to the Guides and children asked NOT to handle any objects, other than the hands-on activity items – show white gloves.
•              Guides take a group of children to an allocated starting position, with each group spending time in the cottage, participating in activities in each room.

•               (Activity 1) KITCHEN
  •          Different types of Irons are set out on the Kitchen table.
  •          Q & A re use of irons, then after safety instructions about avoiding dropping the irons, children try using the irons.
  •          Extension activities may include discussion about:
  •          Butter Making (churn & pats);
  •          Storage of eggs;
  •          Fireplace;
  •          Oven;
  •          Mangle.
     
•             (Activity 2) SLATES 
  •          Slates are set out on table on rear verandah.
  •          Q & A – What are slates?  How and why used?
  •          Slates are used for drawing, writing and erasing.
      
•             (Activity 3) TOYS 
  •          Set on table, perhaps in Exhibition Room.
  •          Toys (thaumatropes, flip books and Jacob’s Ladder) explained and children try each type.
  •          Q & A – Differences in toys today & in colonial times.
     
•              (Activity 4) WITHDRAWING ROOM 
  •          Enter via eastern verandah.
  •          Q & A – How would room be used?
  •          Discussion could include:
  •          Piano;
  •          Sewing Box;
  •          Playing Cards;
  •          Writing with quill and ink, shortage of paper, cross-hatched writing, receiver of letter paid for postage;
  •          Reading;
  •          Children take turns using one set of Bellows
    
    
•             (Activity 5) DINING ROOM 
  •           Tea-making equipment set out on table.
  •           Children shown how to make a cup of tea, using actual tea leaves, tea strainer, etc.
  •           Q & A – demonstrate Clock, or light Candle, close shutters, turn out light, to experience darkness before electricity, then put out candle with snuffer.  

•              (Activity 6) BEDROOM
  •           Discussion about Bed, Mattresses, Commode, washing, getting dressed.
  •           Child chosen to try on Coat;
  •           Fans and Gloves may be included. 

•             STUDY discussions
  •          No activity, but children may observe various historic pictures. 

•             GARDEN discussions about Water
  •           Well – pretend to pump water into bucket;
  •           Dripstone; 

• FINAL activity:
  •           Children take bags and sit under Cork tree.
  •           Clipboards are distributed with 3 prepared sheets
  •         Sheet 1 – Plan of Cottage – children tick rooms they have visited (Stage 2 only);
  •         Sheet 2 – Illustration of some articles in cottage – children circle items seen;
  •         Sheet 3 – Outline of Cottage – children fill in the missing parts, e.g. doors, chimneys.

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(April 2015)