Topic summary
Activity 1 - Leisure and sport
Using photographs, programmes of sport events, and extracts from
a guide book and the 1881 census, children will discover some of
the ways in which Victorian children spent their leisure time. They
will also appreciate the difference between leisure activities, in
particular sports events, in the 19th century and today.
Activity 2 – Holidays, travel and seaside
Studying a range of sources including engravings, photographs,
maps, advertisements and a guide book extract, children will
explore the different holiday and leisure destinations in Victorian
West Sussex and compare holidays then and now. They will also learn
about the various means of transport used by people for leisure
travel in Victorian times, and understand the importance of cheaper
and faster railway transport in the development of Sussex seaside
resorts.
Activity 3 – Victorian toys
With the help of Victorian photographs and engravings of
children with their toys, and photographs of toys in the Worthing
Museum and Art Gallery collection, pupils will explore the
differences and similarities between Victorian and modern toys.
Activity 4 – Music
Studying a collection of photographs, an advertisement for a
Polyphon (large music box), a video clip of a Polyphon being
played, and the words and music of a popular song, children will
appreciate the important role played by music in both public and
private entertainment in the Victorian era.
Activity 5 – Popular entertainment
A photograph, advertisements, and a newspaper report will help
children to learn about popular entertainments such as the circus
and the Myriorama (picture show).
Activity 6 – Outings
By reading a series of newspaper articles, children will
discover the activities enjoyed by Victorian children during school
treats and outings.
Activity 7 – Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee
With the help of extracts from a pamphlet, children will learn
about the parades, parties, fancy dress competitions and other ways
on which people celebrated the Queen’s 60 years on the throne.
Activity 8 – The Great Exhibition
Using a description of local schoolchildren visiting the
Great Exhibition, and engravings of the Crystal Palace and
exhibits, children will appreciate the importance of the exhibition
and the enormous public interest it generated.
Additional Activity – A Victorian day
Spend a whole day combining activities which are described in
detail through the unit.
Parents could also be invited to take part in races and be given
prizes such as tea. (Leisure and
sport)
Outings
See 'Places
to visit' for a list of museums and other
venues.
Note
At some stage during the teaching of
these Activities, it would be useful to have a class discussion
about sources. How could we find out about Leisure in our local
area in Victorian times? What sources of information could we
use?
Possibilities will include: libraries, museums, and the internet,
especially websites with local content for example, West Sussex Past
Pictures.
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