Victorians

Jane Bower

• Publisher: David Fulton Publishers
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781136744037
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education General

The innovative Creative History Activity Packs series is designed to help teachers bring history topics to life through imaginative creative arts activities. Each pack includes ten laminated, double-sided cards, printed in full color. Each card describes in detail activities that recreate aspects of life in a particular historical period, using art, drama and dance. Each activity is based on historically researched authentic practices of the time. Ideal for whole class or small group sessions, the packs are an inspiration for busy teachers looking for new ways to approach project work at Key Stage 2 - and are easily applicable for Key Stage 1 classes.

Victorian activities in this pack include making decorative objects - penwipers, fans, cornucopias - based on original Victorian patterns; sewing samplers; making miniature gardens; original Victorian parlor games based on both wordplay and physical activity; and an upstairs/downstairs drama.

Míníature samplers

Many examples of Victorian samplers can still be found, worked by Victorian children as practice pieces incorporating different stitches and techniques. They must have taken months to complete.

These mini-versions use the same methods but take much less time, and can be used in a variety of ways (see overleaf).

To make a sampler you will need:

♦  needlepoint fabric (e.g. Aida – between 6 count and 14 count according to age and ability)

♦  needle (blunt end, large eye, e.g. Milward Tapestry size 20)

♦  threads (e.g. Anchor or DMC 6-stranded cotton, in muted colours)

♦  pencil

♦  paper marked with small squares, e.g. graph paper

Plan out your design on the squared paper.

One square = one cross stitch.

Keep the design simple, and if possible base it on ideas from Victorian samplers, e.g. your initial (see Kate Greenaway’s Alphabet) or a house with the date underneath.

Measure and cut a length of the Anchor thread from your nose to your outstretched hand. To save thread, and to sew more easily through the holes, divide the Anchor thread into strands of 2 or 3 by holding one end in your mouth and pulling the strands apart with your fingers.

There is no need to fasten off or make a knot when sewing a sampler. Simply leave a 2–3cm length of thread on the back. It will lie flat, and as you make more cross stitches the threads will be secured.

lace-edged sampler

You can use your sampler in many ways:

calendar

matchbox lid

book cover

needle case

pincushion

picture

Musíc Hall

This Victorian variety show can be put together and performed during a lesson, or rehearsed and polished for a performance.

Help the children to choose which of the following ‘turns’ they wish to offer. Some are suitable for groups; others for one or two children. There may be other skills children can offer, such as playing an instrument. Set out a programme to include all the turns, making sure that there is contrast and balance between items.

Choose an announcer with loud and confident reading ability, and work with this child to write the introduction to each item while the other children rehearse their turns. An example of the style might be:

‘Ladeez and gentlemen!’ (single bang on a drum) ‘We present to you the amazing, the astounding, the athletically able ACROBATS!’ (drum again)

or ‘Ladies, your handkerchieves may well be employed during the gentle rendering of this touching ditty, performed by our very own Miss Amy Smith’, etc.

Music hall turns might include:

1 Poetry reading or recitation (from a Victorian poetry book or Dickens novel, etc.)

2 Joke-telling (again, suitably Victorian; i.e. no references to post-Victorian people or inventions, and introduced...