About the teachers resource pack
For archaeologists, studying the buildings and landscapes at rural settlements enables reconstructions to be made of how people lived in the past. Interpreting the evidence from maps, documents, photographs and archaeological reports builds a picture of how people supported themselves, how they farmed and shaped the landscape, how they constructed their buildings and made use of natural resources.
This teachers pack provides case studies of rural settlements across Scotland, along with resources to support learning and teaching, to enable schools to get involved in Scotland's Rural Past. The case studies and accompanying resources are designed to present teachers with the types of archaeological and documentary evidence that archaeologists use to investigate abandoned rural settlements and to interrogate the evidence further to find out how people lived.
As well as the classroom-based activities, the Scotland's Rural Past team encouraged teachers to explore rural settlements with their pupils at first hand.
The case studies include the following sections to help you to investigate the lives of people living in the countryside in the historic past
Using the archaeological and documentary records provided, you can make observations and deductions about the lives of the people who lived in rural settlements long ago.
Example activities are given to assist your learning and teaching and suggestions are made on how to pull together what you have learned and create your own interpretation of what life was like in Scotland's rural past.
By making use of these case studies and activities teachers can enable their pupils to develop their capacities as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors as recommended in A Curriculum for Excellence
By using this resource with their associated activities, learners will have opportunities to extend their experience of becoming:
Successful learners
To access and use information from different kinds of sources and think critically about evidence and arguments
To participate in co-operative learning activities in order to arrive at conclusions
To learn to justify these in discussion and debate
To develop an understanding of the distinctive features of rural settlements and the significance of primary and secondary sources to provide evidence of the past
Confident individuals
To understand more about their sense of identity by learning about Scotland's rural past and to foster an understanding of the political, social and cultural changes which have shaped modern Scotland
To develop an understanding of change and continuity from the period 250 years ago to the present day
Responsible citizens
To learn about the values, beliefs and cultures of communities in Scotland's rural past and to develop respect for other people
To foster a sense of place and ownership of Scotland's heritage locally and nationwide
Effective contributors
To develop knowledge and understanding through investigative, creative, and critical thinking, individually and in groups, to develop skills which will be important for life and work
