Waikato Museum Education Resource
Games and Play in Great
Grandfather’s Day
Exploring the past through children’s toys and
games
Celebrating Hamilton’s Sesquicentennial
1864 - 2014
2014
Teacher Resource Booklet
150
YEAR
S
Waikato Museum Vision and Introduction
Our Vision
Waikato Museum, Te Whare Taonga o
Waikato is the artistic and cultural heart of
our city. We value and celebrate our rich and
diverse cultural heritage and our region's
artistic vibrancy and flair for scientific
innovation.
Waikato Museum is an ideal place for
learning and enrichment.
Our programmes extend the learning environment beyond the classroom for both
students and teachers. We have developed relevant and useful teachers' notes and can
tailor unique classes to meet the needs of our visiting education groups. These provide
stimulating learning experiences related to the exhibitions and tours described.
Introduction
Hamilton’s sesquicentennial is the perfect opportunity for students to explore the
past. It’s gives a relevant context to learn about the life and pastimes of those who
have gone before them, for some children it may be an opportunity to learn about
their ancestors. Great Grandfather’s Day is a hands on classroom session looking at
toys of the past and relating these to the social context of the time. The session will
include a visit to Never A Dull Moment! Hamilton Stories and can include a session in
Planet Warriors or Exscite if time allows.
Managing Your Visit

We will confirm your booking. Health and safety guidelines and RAMS forms are available to
download through our website.

Please discuss with the Education Manager your timetable and organisation for your visit.

Please arrange for your group to leave their bags at school or on the bus as we have limited
storage in the Museum.

Discuss with the Museum educators whether photographs or video may be taken in
exhibitions as there are different conditions for every exhibition.
When you arrive

Bring your group to the School Entrance at the top right of the Museum. Your educator will
meet you at that door.

Bus parking is available near the school entrance on Grantham Street. Three hour paid
Key Competencies
Managing Your Visit
Before you arrive
Key Competency Outcomes
People use these competencies to live, learn, work, and contribute as active
members of their communities. They are the key to learning in every learning area.
Thinking:
Use creative and critical thinking to make sense of Students will make meaning of the language,
the information, experiences and ideas explored in symbols, text and specific terminology of the
the Museum.
Museum.
Relating to Others
Participating and Contributing
Interact effectively with a diverse range of people
in different and new contexts.
Understand the role of the museum in the local
and wider community.
Listen actively and share ideas in the Museum
Develop a sense of belonging and confidence to
participate within new contexts.
parking is situated in the Museum car park off Victoria Street, or in the Knox Street car park
Make connections between exhibitions and their
relevance to local, national and global
environments.
building.

Using Language, Symbols and Text
We supply any pencils, paper or other equipment that you may need for your visit however
students, teachers and supervisors are encouraged to bring I.T. devices to support their
learning.
Late arrivals

We regret that in most cases we cannot extend your lesson time beyond the time that has
been booked as our educators may have multiple commitments throughout a day.
At the conclusion of your visit

Please sign off the numbers of children in your group and details of payment with the
front-of-house host

We appreciate knowing what we are doing well and to hear any suggestions you may have
for improvement. We encourage students to communicate with us about their learning and
experiences of their visit and we request that you complete the on-line evaluation form.
http://waikatomuseum.co.nz/education/evaluation-form/
Managing Self
Students will see themselves as capable learners
who develop strategies for meeting challenges.
Students develop a can-do attitude with increasing
independence.
Museum learners will become
confident, connected, actively involved,
life-long learners.
Visit Focus and Curriculum Web
Specific Learning Outcomes
Students will...

Experience a variety of toys and games from the past 100-150 years

Develop an understanding of how life has changed for children over that time

Understand that every generation creates entertainment and ‘fun’ out of
what they have available at the time and that many past games have ties to
the present

Discuss and share ideas about why life has changed, the factors influencing
change
Curriculum Web
Mind Map
Curricular
Visit Activities
and Post
Pre Cross
Visit Focus: Games and pastimes from the turn of the century
Suggested Pre Visit Focus Activities
Students could..

Bring in their favourite toy and talk about how it works, where it came from and why it is
important to them.

Discuss what they would do if they had no power for a day and all their toys had
disappeared.

Interview people of different ages (older siblings, parents, grandparents, neighbours) and
record information about favourite games and toys, life at school etc.

Invite a much older visitor to the class and have children prepare questions for them to
answer about their upbringing and pastimes.

Do a picture investigation using an old photograph/s looking at what the picture tells them
and what questions it poses.
Suggested Post Visit Reflection Activities
Students could...

Write a letter pretending they were a Victorian child on holiday with their family,
describing the toys and activities they play at.

Make their own home made toy with natural materials or recycled materials (such as soft
toys).

Design a board game that they feel a Victorian child might enjoy. Create their own rules
and playing pieces.

Create a comparison chart looking at the similarities and differences between two
comparable toys/games from the past and present.

Take a popular toy/game of today and think about and discuss how that toy/game might
be developed in 50-100 years from today.

Recreate a Victorian picnic at school, playing old fashioned games, using simple toys they
have made themselves etc (a costume picnic is very effective!).

Write a story about being sent back in time (a worm hole, a science project accident etc)
and having to be looked after by a Victorian child, describing the lifestyle of the era.
Our Specific Learning Outcomes
Our Possible Learning Activities