Box 16 Victorian Clothes and Lifestyle

This box may be used to illustrate the different lifestyles of the Rich and Poor in Victorian times, and contains a selection of artefacts and costume to illustrate this. Pupils can look at the way in which different sections of Victorian society spent their leisure time by comparing objects, and can also compare these artefacts with their own lives.

Ideal for use with Key Stage 2, years 5 and 6

Key learning objectives

• History: To enable pupils to explore the differences between the lifestyles of rich and poor people in Victorian Britain, by handling real and replica artefacts and costume, and by taking part in group activities.

Links to unit 12 of the QCA scheme of work: How did life change in our locality in Victorian times?
Also links to unit 11: What was it like for children living in Victorian Britain?

• Speaking and Listening: To encourage pupils to work effectively as a member of a group, using speaking and listening skills.
• Literacy: To explore the differences between rich and poor in Victorian Times using literary resources
• Citizenship: To encourage pupils to think about respect for property and to share their understanding about a particular topic.

Links to unit 9 of the QCA scheme of work: Respect for Property

Box contents

• Artefacts and clothing include a rich lady’s costume, a sailor boy and a street child, a button hook, glasses, books, dip pen and inkwell, candlestick, coins and a darning mushroom.
• Resources include a book, poster and a selection of black and white images.