Core Skills Analysis
History
- Understood the varied roles within Viking society, including jobs like farmers, craftsmen, merchants, warriors/raiders, and explorers/settlers.
- Learned about Viking law and government structures, including the roles of kings and chiefs, and the types of punishments such as fines or banishment.
- Recognized the significance of Viking hygiene and beauty practices, including the use of grooming tools and the emphasis on cleanliness.
- Identified traditional Viking homes as longhouses, describing their construction and features like large wooden or stone structures with thatched roofs.
Social Studies / Gender Studies
- Explored gender roles in Viking society, describing men’s responsibilities (farming, fishing, hunting, trading, fighting) and women’s responsibilities (managing the home, raising children, preserving food, making cloth, holding household authority).
- Observed the importance of social organization within Viking families and communities by noting roles and responsibilities split by gender.
- Noted how clothing reflected Viking culture, including materials (wool and linen) and specific items (tunics, trousers, cloaks) plus the use of bronze or silver brooches and belts.
- Discovered leisure activities such as feasts, music, storytelling, games, and poetry, indicating cultural practices and social interaction during their free time.
Tips
To deepen Indie’s understanding of Viking society, they could investigate specific historical figures or events related to the Vikings to contextualize these notes. Creating a visual timeline or map of Viking explorations and settlements could strengthen geographical and historical awareness. Another option is to do a hands-on craft project inspired by Viking culture, such as making replicas of Viking brooches or designing simple patterns for Viking clothing to connect with daily life skills. Finally, encouraging storytelling or writing a fictional diary entry from the perspective of a Viking child or adult could enrich empathy and comprehension of social roles and values.
Book Recommendations
- Viking Ships at Sunrise by Mary Pope Osborne: A captivating story following children during the Viking era as they experience adventures and learn about Viking culture in an accessible way.
- You Wouldn't Want to Be a Viking Explorer! by John Malam: A humorous, engaging book that covers the challenges and experiences of Viking explorers with facts and illustrations for middle readers.
- The Viking World by James Graham-Campbell: Offers a detailed but readable overview of Viking history, culture, social structure, and daily life, suitable for curious young historians.
Learning Standards
- Australian Curriculum - History: ACHASSK079 - The role and status of men, women and children in the past and present.
- Australian Curriculum - History: ACHASSK080 - The nature of convict or colonial experience including: roles, lifestyle, trade, and daily life.
- Australian Curriculum - English: ACELY1736 - Plan, draft and publish imaginative and factual texts that create characters, settings and events.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Create a Viking society chart showing jobs, gender roles, government, and leisure activities.
- Writing prompt: Imagine you are a Viking child; write a diary entry describing your day, including work, family life, and leisure.