EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE PACKFrom Knight’s Codes to School Rules

HERALDRYCoats of Arms Uncovered!

HERALDRYCoats of Arms Uncovered! Teachers’ Notes

In explaining the origins of heraldry the exhibition looks at knighthood and, by extension, at knightly behaviour. The exhibition mentions ‘The Song of Roland’ as one expression of a medieval chivalric code. Many of the chivalrous qualities mentioned in the poem are comparable to the attributes which make people good citizens today. The ‘Cracking the Knight’s Code’ activity encourages children to identify chivalrous qualities and to find a modern-day application for them within the context of their own lives.

This activity takes this idea one step further and encourages children not only to think of themselves in relation to their family and friends, but to the wider community.

This activity can follow on from the previous activity or it can stand alone.

Using the large format snakes and ladders board provided in the discovery box, begin a discussion about how the game is played. Most children will be familiar with this game although there may be some variation in the rules that they know (e.g. having to roll a six before you can start the game). If there are no variations, ask the class to come up with some alternative rules.

Two volunteers play the game in front of the class while a third volunteer makes up the rules as play progresses. Unbeknownst to the rest of the class, these rules should be designed to favour one of the players. What do the players think of this approach? And the rest of the class? Why is it important that games have rules and that the players know them from the beginning?

Playing by the Rules

Introducing the Rules

Playing the Game

HERALDRYCoats of Arms Uncovered! Teachers’ Notes

In groups, the class should complete the supplied activity sheet, listing some of the rules with which they are familiar in a game, school and social context. Allow ten minutes for this activity before regrouping to compare answers. It may be useful to write a combined list on the whiteboard. Discuss why these rules are important in each of their contexts and ask the class to suggest what would happen if each of these rules did not exist. Would this be fair?

Each group acts out a short scenario showing the consequences of the absence of a particular rule. Group members should consider the impact of the consequence on each of the characters in the scenario. At the end of the activity the children vote for the scenario they think is the most effective.

Group work

Post-activity

HERALDRYCoats of Arms Uncovered! Activity Sheet

In your group, choose a simple game that you are all familiar with – maybe a board game or a game you play in the playground – and write down three of its rules.

1

2

3

What would happen if this game had no rules?

Write down a sentence about the rules in your school about the following things:

Lunch

Homework

Other people’s belongings

Bullying

Playing by the Rules

In your group, discuss what would happen if there were no rules about these things. How would this affect you:

This week?

In ten years’ time?

Write down a sentence about the rules in our country about the following things:

Drink Driving

Other people’s belongings

Hurting other people

Driving speeds

HERALDRYCoats of Arms Uncovered! Activity Sheet

What happens to people who break these rules, or laws?

In your group, discuss what would happen if there were no rules about these things.

Do you think rules are a good or bad thing?

HERALDRYCoats of Arms Uncovered! Activity Sheet