Discovery Boxes are museum collections-based learning resources for use in the classroom to enrich your curriculum-based teaching. They include replica archival material, photos, videos and a variety of activities for pupils to do as a class, in groups and as individuals. Many boxes also include real and replica objects.

We have built key areas of the curriculum into these resources so that schools can introduce aspects of history, local history and art into their classroom learning with ease, and importantly, fun! Each Discovery Box covers a specific theme, and within it, a number of curriculum markers.

About this Discovery Box

Our Conducting a Local History Study Discovery Box contains 4 activities for inside and outside the classroom, including:

Local history study with primary source material

  • maps
  • photographs
  • census records from the local area

Children discover all they can about a given street from multiple sources.

Curriculum markers:

  • KS1 and KS2 Geography
  • KS1 and KS2 History
  • RSE

Curriculum Links

KS1

  • Pupils will be taught about people and places in their own locality and the lives of significant individuals who have contributed to national achievements, such as Mark Addy.

KS2

  • Pupils will be taught about a local history study

KS1 and KS2

  • Pupils will interpret a range of sources including maps and aerial photography
  • Pupils will form an understanding of historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity and difference and use them to make connections, draw contrasts, analyse trends and create their own structured accounts including written narratives and analyses
  • Pupils will consider emotions, both of people of the past and how this impacts their own, thus opening the doors to conversations around empathy and wellbeing
  • Pupils will spend time outdoors, contributing to physical and mental wellbeing

Make an Enquiry

Please submit your enquiry by emailing the Learning Team at LearningBookings@scll.co.uk

Please include as many details as possible, including:

  • School name and postcode
  • Contact number and email
  • Which session/Discovery Box you are enquiring about
  • Information about year group, number of pupils and any other relevant information
  • When you would like to visit or book
  • Any other questions you may have

Once you have booked, we will send you a confirmation letter via email.

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How Do Discovery Boxes Work?

Discovery Boxes are collected from and returned to Salford Museum and Art Gallery. The loan lasts for a half term, and costs £50 per box.

The contents of each box varies – please look at the specific box you would like to borrow for a list of contents. All resources include photographs and hands-on learning resources, as well as practical activities for the classroom and outside. Further supporting material for teachers, including resource-specific videos, downloads and activities, will be made available at the start of the loan period via our SeeSaw online school platform.

To find out more and make a booking, please complete the Enquiry form on this page!