Guy Fawkes
For the whole of KS1
The children delve into the Jacobean world of the Gunpowder Plot and persecuted catholics to not only learn history but to bring it to life (and do some literacy work along the way). Luckily for me, Fawkes was known as a friendly sort of fellow, liked by his friends, and so I need not be scary at all, even if my huge beard, cloak and riding boots make my appearance unusual.
An assembly with all the children is followed by sessions with individual classes. These sessions vary in format and time according to the school timetable and the number of classes involved. About an hour works well, though with more time (perhaps the morning with one class and the afternoon with another) I can do more. I have also successfully worked all day with one class as Fawkes, adding extra activities to those described below.
Session Outline for Key Stage 1
Introductory AssemblyThis is for all the children, although perhaps you might want the Key Stage 2 classes to join this too? I introduce myself and explain just what the other plotters and I plan to do, as well as why and how. The children play the parts and act out the story according to my instructions - sometimes everyone has a part to play, sometimes several classes do the acting while the rest watch. The famous plot was about more than just blowing up the House of Lords, it involved keeping secrets, riding around the country, kidnapping a princess, stirring up revolt, withholding the plan from the pope, and inviting the catholic monarchs of Europe to send help afterwards to make the whole kingdom catholic once more. This elaborate plan emerges as I guide the children through the plot, with boys and girls galloping here, marching there and generally sneaking about, while the others play the victims, falling dead at the appropriate moments! |
Sessions with the Individual ClassesI often begin by asking the children for their opinions on the plot. Will it work? Could anything go wrong? Is it the right thing to do? Discussion can follow. Before long I talk about our need for secrecy and demonstrate to the class one of the ways in which we send messages only we can see. As this method is one that is only safe for adults to try, I then tell the children I could teach them another way to write secret letters, a method they themselves can use ...Using a 'Cipher' to write a message After explaining and demonstrating how my cipher works, the children divide into groups to write a name down using the cipher symbols (or several names if they are Year 2 children). Then I supervise the passing of the letters from one group to another so that each group can attempt to decipher them. The children always want me to leave the cipher for their own use so that they can practise and send more secret messages (which the Key Stage 2 children will not be able to read). This is a fun and involving literacy exercise which can be revisited after I have left. I then talk about the plight of catholics through Queen Elizabeth's reign and how it has grown worse with our new king. Eventually this leads me on to describe how Roman Catholic families try to hide priests in their houses. I wonder if the children could do it ... Hiding a Pair of Priests This is an entertaining game in which the children take on the roles of the catholic family, the priests and the king's soldiers. Supervised by me, the family members try to trick the soldiers by coming up with ways to hide the poor priests. This exercise can really bring to life the era of 'priest holes' and 'pursuivants', in a way the children enjoy and remember. |
A cipher message written during playtime by a Year 2 girl
This cipher translates as: "To Guy Fawkes. Thank you for coming in today. Love from Lucy."
