Victorians An introduction / Lesson Plan

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Objective

By the end of this lesson, Daniella and Alisia will have a better understanding of Victorian life, including its culture, fashion, and important inventions. They will also create a fun project that reflects what they learned about the Victorians.

Materials and Prep

  • Paper and colored pencils or markers
  • Scissors and glue
  • A large piece of cardboard or poster board
  • Access to a computer or tablet (optional for research)
  • Knowledge about basic Victorian facts (e.g., Queen Victoria, Victorian inventions, and daily life)

Activities

  • Victorian Fashion Dress-Up: Daniella and Alisia can create their own Victorian-style outfits using paper and colored pencils. They can draw dresses, suits, and accessories that reflect the fashion of the time. Once done, they can present their designs to each other.

  • Invention Exploration: The girls can pick one Victorian invention, like the telephone or the bicycle, and create a small poster that explains how it works and its importance. They can use pictures or drawings to illustrate their points.

  • Victorian Tea Party: They can host a mini tea party using pretend tea and snacks. They can learn about Victorian tea customs and etiquette while enjoying their "tea" together.

  • Storytime from the Past: Each girl can choose a short story or a poem from the Victorian era to read aloud. They can discuss what they liked about the story and what it tells us about Victorian life.

Talking Points

  • "Did you know that Queen Victoria was queen for 63 years? That's a really long time! She loved art and science, and she helped make Britain very powerful."
  • "Victorians loved to invent new things! What do you think was the coolest invention? The telephone changed how people talked to each other!"
  • "Fashion in the Victorian era was very fancy! Women wore long dresses with lots of layers, and men wore suits. Why do you think they dressed that way?"
  • "Tea time was a big deal during the Victorian period. People would gather to drink tea and have snacks. What snacks do you think they enjoyed?"
  • "Victorian children had different lives than you do. Some went to school, while others had to work. What do you think that was like for them?"