Last week Joff Gainey (a local author) visited our class to talk about his book, “Sleeping on a Cloud.” The children had lots of questions about where he draws his inspiration from and what the next book in the trilogy will be about. Joff kindly left a copy of his book, which I will be giving out as a prize for the best Victorian project this term.
Alongside maths and literacy homework this term I would like everyone in year 6 to complete their own project on the Victorians. This can be hand written, PowerPoint or something children have made, let’s think outside the box!
Below are many questions which could be used as the starting point for children's enquiries into different aspects of life in the Victorian period.
Society
- Why was Britain called 'The Workshop of the World" in Victorian times?
- How did the lives of rich and poor Victorians differ?
- What were working conditions like in the town and country?
- What were factory working conditions like in Victorian times?
- How did working conditions change for women and children?
Daily Life
- How did Victorians dress?
- What foods did Victorians eat?
- What games and toys did Victorian children have?
- What sort of entertainment did rich people enjoy?
- What were Victorians houses like?
- What was the role of women in Victorian society?
Education
- After 1870 all children, from 5 to 13, had to go to school. What effect did this have on their lives?
- How did rich children's education differ from poor children's?
- How did Victorian schools differ from modern schools?
- What lessons did Victorian children have?
Transport
- What were canals and railways used for in Victorian Britain?
- How did the growth of the railways affect ordinary people's lives?
- Why was London's underground railway built?
- How did the bicycle develop in the 19th century?
- When were the first iron ships made?
- Who made the first motor cars?
Inventions and discoveries
Who invented:
- The Steam Engine?
- The Great Western?
- The phonograph?
- The typewriter?
- The motor car?
- The electric light bulb?
- The telephone?
- The photographic camera?
- The telegraph?
Who:
- Discovered X-Rays?
- First used radium to treat cancer?
- First used chloroform in operations?
- First used antiseptic in operations?
- How did these affect ordinary people's lives in Victorian Britain?
- What other discoveries were made in Victorian times?
Children will be asked to bring in completed projects by Friday 8th February, ready to be presented in the last week of this school term. I will be awarding prizes for the most creative projects. Remember to think outside the box.
Many thanks Mr Saunders (6S)
Dear Parents/Carers
This term’s topic for Year 6 will be Full Steam Ahead’ (The Victorians) focussing mainly on:
· Famous Victorian people and industry.
In Science we will be looking at forces, such as gravity and friction.
In RE we will be looking at Christian journeys.
Regular activities you could do with your child are:
· Times tables and related division facts – in and out of sequence
· Names of shapes and their properties – 2D and 3D
· Looking at timetables (bus and train)
· Money (working out castings’ and giving change)
· Listen to your child read and share books with them on a regular basis.(including books from the local library)
· Check their understanding of the books they have read.
Year 6 PE/Games (netball and dance) :will be on a Monday and Wednesday afternoons.
The children will need a pair of shorts a t-shirt and plimsolls/trainers for PE.
If the children wear earrings to school they will need to either remove them or have tape provided to cover them up.
Now that the weather is colder the children are allowed to wear tracksuits / jogging bottoms for outdoor games.
We encourage the children to bring PE kit on Monday and take it home on Friday.
Homework this term will be given out on a Monday and will be expected in on a Friday. An additional letter, with project information will be given to children next week; this will be related to our topic about Victorians.
Please find below some useful websites that can be used at home to support children’s learning.
Thank you
Mr Saunders (6S)