Victorian school

A serious Victorian photo

Today children from Years 3 and 4 went on a trip to the British Schools Museum. As part of our Victorian topic, the children took part in a Victorian School day.  The children were dressed in Victorian costumes, including girls in pretty white bonnets and aprons, boys in waistcoats and flat caps and a few grubby chimney sweeps.

That's more like it!

The children were greeted by the guides and immediately were expected to be in role.  The children greeted the guides with 'Good Morning Ma'am'.

On arrival

The children began their morning with a hands-on session looking at Victorian artifacts which had been passed on down through the ages. 

  

Victorian toys

Following this session, the children learned about some of the old toys and games in the Treasure Chest and had the opportunity to try out many replica toys for themselves.  They also completed a quiz about some of the other artifacts.  

Teachers table

Artifact quiz

After this the children were taken back in time to a Victorian Classroom.  

A Victorian bonnet

Collecting a penny

 The children were seated on benches behind wooden desks, which were on steps (like at the cinema.)  This was so the teacher could see all of the 100 pupils in the room at once.   

 

We stood and sang 'All things bright and beautiful'.

All things Bright and Beautiful

 Several monitors were chosen to give things out in the classroom.  These were the sensible children that could be trusted by the Victorian teacher.

The children took part in several tasks including Reading (at the wall), ciphering (arithmetic using slates) and writing with dip pens and ink. The children were also asked to spell different words and Evie was made to wear the 'Dunce' hat after she failed to spell the word 'fingers' (Evie was in role).

Correcting Miss Stone's posture

 Time for some body jerking.

Edward said - I got the cane because I knocked over the milkman on the way out of school.

Iona said - I really enjoyed looking at the Victorian toys and I am glad Miss Stone is not like the Victorian teacher.

Miss Stone said  - We had a thoroughly enjoyable day and many of the children said this was their best school trip ever!  The children were very well behaved, polite and were a credit to the school.  Well done year 3/4.