A great hands-on day about homes before electricity and supermarkets – how did we manage? It’s wash day and friendly Victorian housewife, Alice, helps the children explore washing, shaving, lighting, cooking, cleaning, as well as doing the laundry, using a variety of original implements. The children then participate in a wide range of activities in groups.
Activities include:
Carpet beating and floor scrubbing, using a washing dolly and a washboard, washing and shaving, and, of course, ‘dashing away with the smoothing iron’. We make bread and churn butter too - and sit down together to eat at the end of the afternoon. The day can be tailored to fit in with work on ‘Homes’, ‘Life without Electricity’, ‘Now and Then’, ‘Old and New’ and ‘Water’.
This day supports Unit 2 of QCA History Schemes of Work - Key stage 1
Find out more:
Feedback from teachers:
‘We had a thoroughly inspiring and uplifting day and hope to see you in the not-too-distant future…Thank you very much.’
‘Absolutely spot on! The content fitted in superbly with our History but also Science topic…pitched at exactly the right level - children engaged with oral presentation parts and activities…We learnt such a lot and had fun too.’
‘Very impressed with artefacts and resources; gave huge insight into life in Victorian times…All activities were valuable, enjoyable and engaging. Everything was so well organised and prepared - thank you.’
‘Thank you very much for a very fun filled, action packed day yesterday. I’m sure the children will always remember it. They really enjoyed all the activities, and the day fulfilled all the objectives for our studies of old homes. We hope you can come again.’
‘We all thoroughly enjoyed the day and the children have produced some lovely writing inspired by your visit.’
‘Excellent! The introductory session kept the children engaged…they all enjoyed the workshops with the opportunity to try things themselves.’
‘The day was extremely valuable, bringing Victorian homes to life for the children…Thank you very much for a superb day. We look forward to working with you again in the future.’
Feedback from children:
‘Thank you very much for coming to tell us all about life in homes long ago. I already knew they had potties. Something new I learnt was the oven was called the range. I enjoyed making bread. It was really nice. I hope you can come to our school again.’ Joseph.
‘Yesterday was perfect. You told us things I didn’t know. I really enjoyed it.’ Calum.
‘THANK YOU for coming to teach us about the Victorians. It was great. I learnt lots of things…I LOVED the bread and butter…I wished the day would go on for ever.’ Jodie.
‘I loved the song that you taught us, it was EXCELLENT.’ Daniel.