Border Life - Key Stage 3

Old Gaol, Moothall, Border Reivers & Border Tales

1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 .. 6 .. 7 .. 8 .. 9 .. 10 .. 11 .. 12

The Gaolbreak of 1538 happened soon after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Debate the importance of the spy network to both England and Scotland who, at the time, supported Catholic France and Spain.

Gather information on - crime and punishment - cross Border marriages; the Archie and Mary story - The Union of the Crowns – Sir Robert Carey’s Ride

Use the text on crime and punishment to model their own creative writing version. This could be done after a museum visit, resulting in an improved understanding of the subject.

Themes Analyse the effect of major political, religious and social changes on the population of the area. (Key elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2e)

Activities Use the Archie and Mary story as a stimulus to investigate the causes and effects of the on-going border warfare, including border laws and their impact. Investigate how the authorities attempted to keep peace on the border.

The story of Archie and Mary has been designed as a "Thinking Skills Mystery". For those unfamiliar with Thinking Skills strategies read the Mystery section first.

Download Making Mysteries V1.1 for PC (1.6Mb Zip file)
Designed by D Johnston of Hexham Middle school
*Please note download could take up to 30 minutes on 56k modem

Click here for Interactive Archie & Mary Mystery Info (822kb) Designed by D Johnston & the children of Hexham Middle school *This file requires the Flash 4 plugin
**Please note download could take up to 15 minutes on 56k modem

For the Archie & Mary clue slips Click Here & save to disk (22kb Word.doc)

To use the Thinking Skills Mystery in the classroom:
Download the 'Archie and Mary Mystery Info' to view the interactive part of the mystery. Print off and cut out the clue slips beforehand.
Read the story up to the point before the couple were arrested and discuss the points raised.
Divide the pupils into groups & hand out the slips. Ask the pupils to sort the slips to help them answer the following question.

If you were the Warden, what would you do - should you hang Archie and Mary or not?

Pupils use the information on the slips to justify their decision and explain the different factors that might influence the Warden’s decision. Pupils can also gather additional material by looking at the Background Information. They should be given time to explain how they came to their decision and how they worked as a group.

Then read the final section.

The class can debate the issue in a wider context such as, looking for modern paralells - marriages across border lines/different societies/religious groups. Romeo and Juliet etc.

Thinking Skills Archie and Mary story – Sir Robert Carey’s Ride

Literacy Working with contemporary text – Writing stories and poems

Drama
Re-enactment of Archie and Mary story

Right and wrong - Crime and punishment in the past.

Working through the interactive website - using website addresses to locate relevant information.

Designing and making props to go with the reenactment of the Archie and Mary story.

The Moothall is only open for school groups, which must be booked in advance.

Discovery Boxes - Pupils investigate original and replica artefacts with Thinking Skills Object Handling Sessions led by costumed museum staff. Schools in the north east can borrow Discovery Boxes free of charge for up to three weeks.
For more details contact Museum staff on 01434 652351