Industrial Revolution: Working conditions

Full lesson, designed for use with KS3 students to look into working conditions in the factories and the workhouses during the Industrial Revolution.

Begins by prompting students to think about what they may prioritise when choosing their future jobs e.g. high pay, good hours etc… This is then placed in contrast to the reality of what 18th-19th century workers experienced in their jobs.

This is followed by a look at the lyrics of folk song ‘Poverty Poverty Knock’, which was written to show a first-hand perspective of conditions in the mills during this time period. Students are asked to find examples of lyrics which demonstrate the various unpleasant aspects of working life, then complete some analysis on the meanings of various lines of the song.

There is then a short video (link in slide notes) outlining two of the main jobs done in the workhouse: breaking stone and picking oakum. This video is accompanied with some questions for students to answer.

Includes lesson PowerPoint, two task worksheets and an information sheet. All can be edited to adjust lesson if desired.