Y6: 1-12. Victorian Railways

The Victorians Lessons

Today we are going to learn a bit more about the Victorian railways.

to see what people thought of the new railways (to explain different viewpoints about the new railways)
to examine how people were affected by the new railways
to find out how the introduction of the railways changed travel and trade

Discuss the following:

When was the last time you went on a train and where did you go?
What was the longest train journey you have ever been on?
Where is the nearest railway station to your school?

Let’s see what we can learn from the following information sheets about Victorian Railways!

Make a list of reasons why the development of railways was a positive change in Britain. (Use the ‘positive’ column on the table.)

Then also make a list of reasons why people might not have thought that railways were a great change in Britain. (Use the ‘negative’ column on the table.)

SOLUTION

What else can we learn about the new railways in Britain?

Insane Victorian Railway Myths. (2:51 minutes long)

…Railways somehow made people go insane… (5:48 minutes long)

You will each get a character card. Read about your character and try to imagine how they might feel about the railways.

Explain to the rest of your group who you are and what your opinion of the railway is.

If you want, appoint someone in your class to be the interviewer. He / she needs to ask the interviewee (person who is being interviewed) the following questions:

Ask the interviewee (person who is being interviewed) what his / her name is.
Ask interviewee to give the audience a bit more background about himself / herself.
Ask interviewee what hey / she thinks of the railways (and why).
Ask interviewee how the railways has affected him / her.
Ask the interviewee if he / she has any other comments about the railways.
Thank the interviewee for the interview.

character-cards-1 Download

Tell your partner:

3 reasons why some people thought the railways was a great development
3 reasons why some people did not like the railways

Do you agree?

In role as your character, think about whether you agree with the statement in the speech bubble. Arrange yourself into two sides of the classroom; agree and disagree.Take it in turns for somebody from each side to make a new point that explains why they agree or disagree.

Can you perhaps now add even more information to your worksheet to show different opinions about whether the railways had a positive or a negative impact?