Title: Wiltshire
1Wiltshire
- The largest groups of Travellers supported in
Wiltshire are Gypsy Travellers and Irish
Travellers. Both of these are recognised as
distinct ethnic groups. The Wiltshire Traveller
Support Service also supports circus, fairground,
canal and new Travellers. - This unit relies heavily on An introduction to
the Culture and Beliefs of the Traveller
Community Teachers RE Resource Pack. Available
from Dorset Traveller Education Support Service.
It is a resource for KS1 but could be adapted for
KS2. - for further information phone 01350 851302
2People RE Co-Coordinator Local Traveller
Education Service Reverend Roger Redding
(Traveller Chaplin)
Time Six Week RE Unit and/or cultural day
Skills, Attitudes and Knowledge Investigating. Int
erpreting Open-mindedness Respect Valuing
Diversity
Place Classroom based activities. School
grounds Hall Paultons Park Romany Exhibition
(Contact to Check still available)
An Introduction to Traveller Beliefs and Culture
Responsible Citizens Confident Individuals Success
ful Learners Values and practices Comparison of
Life and Culture Decisions and life choices.
Resources Resource pack prepared and distributed
by TESS, Dorset (Traveller Education Support
Services) This can be borrowed by contacting TESS
on 07881517742. (This is entitled KS1 but can be
adapted for KS2)
Curricular Links Art Design and
Technology History Speaking and Listening
3An Introduction to the Culture and Beliefs of the
Traveller Community
- About this unit this unit is likely to be the
first encounter that children will have with the
Traveller Community. It introduces them to the
term Traveller and encourages them to
understand that there are many different types of
Traveller community. This particular unit focuses
on the Gypsy Traveller community but includes
references to other Traveller traditions and
communities. - Children will have the opportunity to develop an
understanding of - Gypsy
- Traveller
- Vardo
- Bender
- Trailer
- Site
- A selection of Romany words
- Solstice
- Hand fasting
4Useful Weblinks
- http//www.wiltshire.gov.uk/inclusion-gypsies-trav
ellers.htm - http//www.hants.gov.uk/education/department/guida
nce/travellers/guide-10.php - http//www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/subjects/literacy/tr
aveller/ - http//www.warrington.gov.uk/Images/Travller20-2
0Resources20list_tcm31-12667.pdf - http//www.paveepoint.ie/index.html
- http//www.scottishtravellered.net/resources/cases
tudies/STEPcasestudy_fife.pdf - http//www.gypsy-traveller.org/cyberpilots/adult_s
ection/books.htm - http//www.hants.gov.uk/rh/gypsy/index.html
- http//www.hants.gov.uk/rh/gypsy/resources/teacher
s.html
5Expectations
Expectations At the end of this unit
Most children will be able to Identify features of Traveller communities Talk about the importance to Travellers of being part of a Traveller family and community Identify some of the similarities between the values and practices of the Traveller community, those of faith communities previously studied and their own lives. Be able to ask questions about other peoples life and culture Talk about right and wrong from their own, and others, perspective.
Some children will have not made so much progress and will be able to Recognise and name features and objects of Traveller life and practice. Name something that is of value to a Traveller and something that is of value to them.
Some children will have progressed further and will be able to Understand and explain the similarities and differences between Traveller communities and other faith communities previously studied. Talk about the impact that being a Traveller has on Travellers decisions and life choices. Identify what influences them as individuals.
6Who are Travellers
- The Traveller communities
- The significance of possessions
- The collections of their peers and the reason
why people collect certain items - Pupils will be able to
- Talk about the difference between travelling on
holiday or on a trip and travelling as a
lifestyle - Identify what matters to them and what matters to
others.
7Home and Lifestyle
- Pupils will be able to
- talk about the types of homes a Traveller might
live in and give a reason why. - identify a similarity and a difference between
their own home and those of a Traveller. - demonstrate care when handling valuable
possessions - Pupils will learn to
- make links between their experience of home and a
Travellers home - find out about different types of Traveller homes
and a travelling /outdoor life
8What is Important to Gypsy Travellers?
- A KS1 resource but useful to start
- discussion
- Available from
- Wiltshire Traveller Education
- Address Traveller Education
- Service, Schools Branch,
- Department for Children and
- Education, Wiltshire County Council
- Pupils will learn about,
- The importance of family to Gypsy Travellers.
Gypsy Travellers place value in family pride.
Family is a source of help and support. - The importance of horses and shared celebrations
- A shared language
- That decorations reflect Gypsy culture
- Pupils will be able to,
- Talk about something of importance to Gypsy
Travellers and make a link between that and
something that is important to themselves - express their ideas through creative and
expressive arts
9What do Traveller families do together?
- Pupils will learn,
- That Traveller families work together
- Traveller children have a responsibility to help
within their family. - Travellers have skills which they pass down to
their children - Pupils will be able to,
- Talk about the difference that being a child of a
Traveller makes. - Think about difficult questions and communicate
an answer. - Explore Gypsy arts and customs by creating their
own example.
10What do Gypsy Travellers believe?
- Pupils will learn,
- That you can have a faith without going to a
special building - That Gypsy Travellers thank God for their lives
- That Travellers respect their elders and
listen to their advice. - Pupils will be able to,
- Make links between Christian and Gypsy belief and
practice i.e. belief in God, christening. - Explain what Gypsy Travellers are thankful for
and think about something that they are thankful
for. - Recall a traditional Traveller morality tale ( eg
Lazy Jack and think about its moral. Link to
parables that Jesus told.)
11What is a Traveller wedding like?
- Pupils will learn,
- About different types of weddings
- the importance of promises
- Pupils will be able to,
- Express their feeling in response to music
- Talk about different types of weddings
- Consider the importance of a promise
12Are Travellers treated fairly?
- pupils will learn to ,
- Explore the issue of equality through drama
- Talk about difficult situation
- Pupils will be able to,
- Reflect on the issue of stereotypes
- Think about their response to others
- Teachers role is as
- much about breaking
- down barriers of
- prejudice and racism
- as about teaching
- literacy and
- numeracy
13Customs
- Children will learn,
- the importance of rules and customs
- to treat others beliefs and customs with respect
- Pupils will be able to,
- talk about the different rules that are followed
in different peoples homes. - consider the views of others based on their
lifestyle.