The day begins with a recreation of a village classroom in the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 1897, complete with strict school ma’am, and with typical lessons based around the ‘three R’s’, History/Geography and an Object lesson. This extended role-play gives children an invaluable insight to school life for pupils at this time and is followed by a de-brief session to reflect on the experience: the content of lessons, the thinking behind the curriculum, the way the children felt during the ‘drama’ and comparing the Victorian-style schoolroom with school today.
After lunch, the children widen their experience of Victorian childhood with a session of ‘Drill’ led by the school ma’am, followed by a range of hands-on activities: making Union Jacks for the Jubilee and playing with toys (original and reproduction): bagatelle, bar skittles, zoetropes, swing toys, tops, marbles, hoops to name a few. The day concludes with us all enjoying a Victorian childhood action song.
This day supports Unit 11 of QCA History Schemes of Work - Key stage 2