The Glass Pack
The Glass Pack provides teachers with a practical guide for use with the collection at Broadfield House Glass Museum. Much of the emphasis has been placed on practical tasks and activities that can be undertaken as part of a site visit. These tasks will need to be supported by either a teacher or adult helper. It is important that teachers familiarise themselves with the pack contents prior to a visit.
The contents of the pack are designed to be flexible, enabling teachers to select the appropriate area of study. Each curriculum area contains photocopy master sheets for pupils, which will need to be copied for each individual prior to the visit, as well as Cue Sheets for teachers and adult helpers.
Other materials necessary for completion of the tasks will be provided on site. These include: clipboards, pencils, crayons, paints, paint brushes, glasses, science resources, photographic materials and laminated copies of adult Cue Sheets.
The Glass Pack is aimed at Key Stage 2 and offers an opportunity to study the following curriculum subjects: History, Science, Design & Technology, and Art.
Local History Study- An aspect of Local History
The collection at Broadfield House Glass Museum centres around British Glass from the end of the 17th century to the present day, and particular emphasis has been placed on the glass made in the Stourbridge area. Several of the displays are concerned with looking at local glassmakers and the techniques they used. The collection can be used as the basis of a local history study where an aspect of the local community, i.e. the glass industry, is studied in depth, showing the involvement of the local community and the effect that the glass industry has had on it. Emphasis can be placed on the Museum as a source of information, offering pupils the opportunity to study objects first hand and to view documentary materials in the form of videos, portraits, posters and certificates.
History sample page.
Victorian Britain Study
The Museum can be used to study certain aspects of Victorian Britain, for example, changes in industry and transport and the lives of people at different levels in the community. Through a study of the collection pupils can also be made aware of the growth of factories, mass production, and the spread of the canal system. At the Museum, pupils can discover more about the lives of famous local glassmakers and the manner in which glassmaking was carried out during this period. The displays include documentary evidence such as photographs, posters, paintings and a video.
Victorian sample page.
Science
A visit to Broadfield House Glass Museum will give pupils an opportunity to make a study of an everyday material. They will be able to see a variety of objects made from this material and gain first hand experience of the way in which it is produced through a visit to the glassmaking studio. Pupils can study glass and its properties and see what part science has played in developing its uses. Pupils can also study the health and safety aspects of glass.
Science sample page.
Design and technology
A visit to the Museum will provide pupils with the opportunity to make a detailed study of the ways in which glass can be used to make different objects. Observations and drawings can be made that can help pupils to generate ideas and then used later in order to create their own designs. Pupils can examine the different uses of glass and its suitability as a material for a variety of purposes. Pupils can also be made aware of the dangers as well as the benefits of using this material. The presence of a glassmaking studio within the museum will also give pupils the chance to see how products are made and what precautions are needed in this process.
Sample page.
Art
A visit to this site will provide pupils with the opportunity to study a particular art form. It will also enable teachers to raise awareness and appreciation of our cultural heritage. This collection offers a valuable visual stimulus that can act as a starting point in order for pupils to discuss and generate ideas. A visit to the glass blowing studio will offer pupils the opportunity to gain first hand experience of the techniques used in glassmaking.
A study of the collection will give pupils the chance to make drawings and observations from an extensive and varied collection of glassware. Pupils can be encouraged to experiment with different colours and textures using the objects in the museum as a starting point. The collection can also be used to make pupils aware of the materials and the craftsmanship involved in the making of glass. In the process of watching the video in the ground floor gallery, pupils will be able to hear living artists and craftspeople talking about their work, much of which is held in the collection.
Sample page
To buy a copy of the Teachers' Pack at a discount price, please contact the Museum.
