Introduction to Workhouses

Lesson Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 4 students to the concept of workhouses in Victorian England, with a focus on children’s experiences as depicted in the novel Oliver Twist. Through carefully scaffolded activities using images, discussion, and simple language, this lesson meets the National Curriculum requirements for History and English. It is designed to be fully inclusive, supporting SEND learners’ needs, and suitable for a small class of 9 students.

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National Curriculum Links

History

• Pupils should be taught to:
• Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age (as a framework) and beyond: introducing Victorian Britain specifically focusing on social history
• Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality and relating wider British history (Victorian period and workhouses)
• Understand the causes and consequences of significant historical events including social conditions

English

• Pupils should be taught to:
• Develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by discussing texts related to historical topics
• Understand the meaning of new words and phrases in context especially relevant vocabulary (e.g., “workhouse”, “poverty”, “paupers”)
• Listen and respond appropriately to spoken language in group discussions and role play
• Speak clearly to communicate ideas using simple sentences supported with visual prompts

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand the concept of a Victorian workhouse and its role in society.
2. Identify basic facts about children’s experiences in workhouses.
3. Use key vocabulary related to workhouses in spoken sentences.
4. Engage respectfully in a group discussion, responding to questions and ideas.

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Resources

• Large printed colour images or projected slideshow of Victorian workhouses and children (carefully selected to be age-appropriate and sensitive)
• Simple information sheets with sentences and pictures about workhouses
• Vocabulary flashcards: workhouse, poor, children, chores, rules, poverty, help
• Whiteboard and markers
• Role-play hats or simple props (e.g., bonnet, cap) for empathy activity
• Visual timetable and symbol cards to support SEND learners

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (10 minutes)

• Purpose: Activate prior knowledge and introduce the topic gently.
• Activity:
• Begin with a simple question: “What do you think a workhouse is?”
• Discuss ideas as a whole class, recording key words on the whiteboard.
• Use a mind map format with images of workhouses in the middle, encouraging students to suggest words or phrases.

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2. Introduction to Workhouses (15 minutes)

• Purpose: Build basic factual understanding using visual and auditory support.
• Activity:
• Show images of Victorian workhouses and children in a workhouse.
• Use clear, simple sentences to explain:
• Workhouses housed poor people who had no money.
• Many children lived and worked there.
• Life was hard but they were given food and shelter.
• Read aloud a short, adapted extract from Oliver Twist describing the workhouse.
• Pause frequently to check comprehension.

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3. Vocabulary Exploration (10 minutes)

• Purpose: Introduce and reinforce key topic vocabulary.
• Activity:
• Show vocabulary flashcards one at a time, saying the word aloud.
• Ask students to repeat, then match words to pictures.
• Use each word in a simple sentence and ask students to create their own sentences, supporting them where needed.

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4. Group Discussion and Role Play (15 minutes)

• Purpose: Develop empathy and speaking skills in a safe, scaffolded environment.
• Activity:
• Divide the class into small groups (3 groups of 3).
• Each group gets a scenario card describing a child’s experience in a workhouse (e.g., cleaning, eating, sleeping).
• Groups discuss what the child might feel or think.
• Invite groups to role play these scenes using simple props.
• Support SEND pupils by providing sentence starters and visual emotion cards.

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5. Plenary and Assessment (10 minutes)

• Purpose: Consolidate learning and assess understanding informally.
• Activity:
• Return to the whiteboard mind map and add any new ideas or words the students have learnt.
• Ask questions to the class: “What was hard about workhouses?” “What kind of children lived there?”
• Encourage 1-2 pupils to explain in their own words what a workhouse was.
• Provide positive and specific feedback to encourage confidence.

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Differentiation and SEND Support

• Use visual timetables throughout the lesson.
• Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks with clear instructions.
• Provide vocabulary cards with pictures and simple definitions.
• Use role play with props to support embodied learning.
• Allow processing time and provide sentence frames for speaking activities.

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Reflection and Next Steps

• Evaluate students’ participation in discussions and role play for engagement and understanding.
• Note vocabulary usage during activities to inform future lessons on workhouses and Oliver Twist.
• Prepare for Lesson 2: deeper exploration of how workhouses impacted children’s lives through story extracts and diary writing.

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This lesson provides a multi-sensory, language-rich introduction to workhouses, laying solid foundations for the rest of the unit while meeting both History and English National Curriculum expectations for Year 4.