The History of Llanelli

Subject: History

Year Group: Year 4

Duration: 60 minutes

Class Size: 20 students

Curriculum Link

National Curriculum for England – Key Stage 2

• Subject Area: Local History Study
• Objective: A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066.
• Specific Focus: Llanelli’s history over the last 150 years, examining its industrial heritage, social changes, and cultural significance.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand how Llanelli has changed from the 19th century to the present day.
2. Identify key industries that shaped Llanelli’s growth, particularly coal, tinplate, and steel.
3. Recognise significant historical events and their impact on the local community.
4. Compare life in Llanelli 150 years ago to today.

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Resources

• Visuals: Historical photographs of Llanelli (Victorian era, 20th century, modern-day).
• Objects: Tinplate samples, coal pieces (or replicas), and historical artefacts linked to local industries.
• Audio Clip: A recording of an old Llanelli resident describing changes in the town.
• Printed Materials: Timeline handouts and historical maps of Llanelli.
• Video Clip: A short historical documentary about Llanelli’s industry.

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Lesson Structure

Starter Activity (10 minutes) – Mystery Object Analysis

• Present three objects: a small tinplate sheet, a piece of coal, and an old steel tool.
• Ask students to guess how these objects are connected to Llanelli’s history.
• Facilitate a short discussion, guiding students toward the industrial past of Llanelli.
• Explain that Llanelli was once known as “Tinopolis” due to its major role in tinplate production.

Main Lesson (35 minutes)

Part 1: The Rise of Llanelli’s Industries (15 minutes)

• Show historical photographs of Llanelli’s factories, tinplate works, and collieries.
• Discuss how coal mining, steel production, and tinplate manufacturing contributed to Llanelli’s rapid growth.
• Introduce key historical figures who influenced Llanelli’s industrial development.
• Play a short audio clip of an elderly resident discussing life in Llanelli during the 20th century.

Part 2: Life in Llanelli Then and Now (10 minutes)

• Divide the class into small groups and give each group pictures of Llanelli from different eras.
• Ask students to note differences and similarities between the old and modern Llanelli.
• Discuss how things like transport, jobs, clothing, and buildings have changed over time.

Part 3: Historical Timeline Activity (10 minutes)

• Hand out pre-prepared event cards covering Llanelli’s significant historical moments (e.g., opening of the railways, industrial strikes, the decline of the tinplate industry).
• Students will work in groups to place the events in chronological order on the timeline.
• Discuss the impact of these events on Llanelli’s development.

Plenary (15 minutes) – Town Time Travel Challenge

• Imagine they are time travellers visiting Llanelli 150 years ago.
• Each student draws a postcard or writes a letter describing Llanelli as if they were living in the past.
• Encourage creativity – what do they see? What jobs are people doing? What does the town smell like?
• Two students share their postcards with the class.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Verbal questioning to check understanding of Llanelli’s industrial past.
• Timeline activity to assess knowledge of key historical events.
• Postcards/letters to evaluate students’ ability to empathise with and describe the past.

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Extension Task

• Students can interview family members to find out how Llanelli has changed over the years and bring their findings to the next lesson.
• Encourage students to bring in any family photographs or objects connected to Llanelli’s past.

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Teacher Reflection

• Did students engage with the timeline activity?
• Were they able to make clear comparisons between Llanelli then and now?
• How confidently did they discuss the industrial heritage of Llanelli?

Future Learning: This lesson can lead into a local field trip around Llanelli to visit key historical sites, such as the old tinplate works or Llanelly House, for hands-on learning experiences.

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This lesson plan delivers an immersive and engaging approach to Llanelli’s history, helping Year 4 students develop a strong sense of place and chronology. It’s interactive, multi-sensory, and promotes historical thinking – exactly what will impress any teacher using it! 🚀