Chimney Sweeps in the Industrial Revolution

Industrial Revolution: This lesson includes a puzzle starter where students look at pictures to predict the topic of the lesson. It then introduces a quote from Walt Disney's Mary Poppins that suggests a chimney sweeps life is lucky. The slides of the PowerPoint containing information should be used alongside the historical sources worksheet to challenge this interpretation. The students attempt the interpretation question then use the guidance PowerPoint slide to peer assess each others responses. The plenary encourages a discussion between students about which exam skills they have developed during the lesson.

This lesson was used in a successful History department to encourage Year 8 students to develop their source analysis skills and interpretation skills. The link to Mary Poppins and Walt Disney was identified in Pupil Voice as a strength of the lesson as responses show this led to engagement and 'buy-in'.