Elementary schools, grades 1-4
A visit to the National Museum is both enjoyable and educational. Students explore museum artifacts and the stories they tell about the past. The aim of museum educators is to make the visit an exploration journey for the children. They are encouraged to ask questions and express their thoughts, and their opinions on the lifestyles of people throughout various periods of Icelandic history. Visits are conducted in Icelandic only.
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Valþjófsstaður Door with Drawing Workshop
The Valþjófsstaður Door is around 800 years old and opens doors to tales of adventure. Carved with a dragon motif, it tells the story of the lion knight Ivan. Knightly literature consists of romantic tales of adventures and loves, fierce battles, and supernatural heroics. These stories arrived in Iceland around 1200 and quickly became popular, especially with the arrival of the door during that time. The focus will be: Knightly tales, the struggle between good and evil Exploring visual stories from various perspectives Colour studies of the door The history of the Valþjófsstaður Door Why was it was made? Why is it now at the National Museum? Before returning to school, children participate in a drawing workshop that connects all the stories of the door together.
Book a school visitIn the Baðstofa
How was daily life in rural Icelandic homes up until the 20th century? How was food made and what games did kids play? Students will handle replicas of artifacts to immerse themselves in the lives of turf-house residents during work and play. The communal baðstofa will be examined, prompting reflections on past lifestyles. After the visit, students will have gained insight into daily life in turf houses, indoor and outdoor tasks like craftsmanship and self-sufficiency, as well as leisure activities. They can compare these experiences with their own realities.
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Legends and Folklores
The museum educator guides children in discovering artifacts related to Icelandic folklore about trolls, hidden people, outlaws, and ghosts, sharing selected stories with them. This adventurous and exciting visit can be a delightful addition to Icelandic language instruction. Before the visit concludes, children are invited to the Family Room, a space in the museum filled with toys, books, and costumes. Here, children can play before returning to school, hopefully enriched by the experience.
Book a school visitValþjófsstaðahurðin er um 800 ára gömul og opnar dyr að ævintýrum. Í hana er skorinn drekavafningur og sagan um ljónsriddarann Ívan. Riddarabókmenntir eru rómantískar sögur af ævintýrum og ástum, svakalegum bardögum og yfirnáttúrulegum hetjudáðum. Sögurnar bárust til Íslands um 1200 og urðu fljótt vinsælar hér á landi enda hurðin frá þeim tíma. Kennarar leggja áherslu á:
- Riddarasögur, baráttuna milli góðs og ills
- Að skoða myndasögur út frá ýmsum sjónarhornum
- Litarannsóknir á hurðinni
- Sögu Valþjófsstaðahurðarinnar
Áður en haldið er heim í skólann taka börnin þátt í teiknismiðju sem tengir saman allar sögur hurðarinnar.
Guiding light of museum educators
From the National Curriculum
The educational value of social sciences, according to the Primary Curriculum for elementary schools, serves as a guiding light in all visits:
- The ability of students to understand reality (their environment, society, history, and culture) is built upon their own experiences. Social sciences aim to enhance this ability by broadening and deepening the students' experiential world.
- The ability of students to understand themselves depends on the mental image they form of themselves (and others) in their own minds. Social sciences aim to develop this ability by expanding and enriching the students' mental horizons.
- The ability of students to form and develop relationships with others is based on the social interactions they participate in. Social sciences aim to foster this ability by actively engaging students in their social environment, the values, and rules that govern it.
There are opportunities to train the following skills based on the Primary Curriculum in the museum visit:
- Describe the formation and development of Icelandic society past and present.
- Point out examples of how history manifests in customs and traditions.
- Highlight examples of the impact of technology and developments on human life and the environment.
- Recognize factors that have influenced human life over time, such as environmental conditions and societal structures.
- Understand the importance of family and the diversity of family structures in society.
- Identify examples of traditional gender roles and changes in these roles.
- Participate in cooperation and dialogue within peer groups.
- Demonstrate respect and compassion in play and work.
- These objectives align with the goals of social sciences to cultivate critical thinking and a deeper understanding of societal dynamics among students.
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