Skip to Main Content
Stories of Stonehenge

Stories of Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a World Heritage Site in England that has been fascinating people for centuries. Students will explore its history and create an illustration of this Neolithic monument.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Though many questions remain to be answered about who built it and why, Stonehenge stands as a monument to the people of the Neolithic and Bronze ages. Work began on the structure about 5,000 years ago. Have students look at images of Stonehenge and research its origin. What kind of stones were used and from where? How long did it take to build? What are some of the theories about its purpose? How is it unique architecturally? 

  • Step 2

    Ask students to create an illustration of Stonehenge using watercolor pencils and then applying water to the drawing so it results in a painterly affect. They can use photos of the structure to guide and inspire them. 

  • Step 3

    When their work is dry, have students present it to the class and discuss some of the facts they learned about the history of Stonehenge.

Standards

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Read, reconstruct, and interpret the past. Imagine the future. Place oneself in various times and spaces and reflect on change. 

SS: People, Places, and Environments: Learn where people and places are located and why they are there. Examine the influence of physical systems such as climate, weather and seasons, and natural resources, such as land and water, on human populations, such as the causes, patterns, and effects of human settlement and migration. 

Adaptations

Read a book such as "The Secrets of Stonehenge" by Mick Manning and Brita Granström or "The Mystery of Stonehenge: Unveiling Ancient Secrets of the Stone Circle" by Vivienne Ashford. Have students discuss which theories seem most likely to them and how teamwork and collaboration was essential in Stonehenge's creation.

There are several theories about the creation of Stonehenge. One holds that it was built by members of an ancient Celtic priestly class called Druids. Have students learn about Druids, who were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lore keepers, medical professionals, and political advisors.