Box 23 Victorian Mystery Objects

This box contains a selection of Victorian object, some of which your pupils may recognise and others they may not. The objects provide pupils with an opportunity to compare and contrast Victorian life with their own lives, and allows them to build up skills of interpretation. The box links in with a number of different themes within the topic of Victorian Life and may be used as a good introductory resource or as a support for learning throughout the topic.

Ideal for use with Key stage 2, Years 5 and 6

Key learning objectives

• History: To enable pupils to explore what everyday life was like in the Victorian period, by handling real and replica artefacts and by taking part in group activities.

Links with unit 12 of the QCA scheme of work: How did life change in our locality in Victorian Times?

Also links with 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 what life was like in Victorian Britain by using literary resources.

Box contents

• Artefacts include children and adults clothing, slates, a button hook, darning mushrooms, hot water bottles, dolly pegs, lace bobbins, glove stretchers and an inkwell.
• Resources include labels for display and books.