A Day in Georgian England: What Was It Like to Live Then?

A fun and interactive lesson for homeschool students to explore daily life during the Georgian Period (1714-1830). Students will engage in research, discussion, and a creative project to understand what it was like to live in that historical era, focusing on aspects like fashion, homes, social customs, and entertainment.

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A Day in Georgian England: Stepping Back in Time

Welcome, historian! Today we're going on an adventure to explore what life was like during the Georgian Period in England. This era lasted from 1714 to 1830, and it was a time of big changes, famous authors like Jane Austen, grand balls, and very different clothes!

Introduction: Setting the Scene (Approx. 15 minutes)

Imagine a world with no electricity, no internet, no cars, and no supermarkets! That's a bit like the Georgian Period. Let's start by thinking:

  • What do you already know or guess about this time period?
  • What are you most curious to find out about how people lived?

We'll look at some pictures of Georgian life – some showing wealthy people and some showing poorer people. What differences do you notice right away?

Activity 1: Georgian Life Investigation (Approx. 45-60 minutes)

Now, you become the detective! Your mission is to investigate what daily life was truly like. You can choose to focus on the life of a wealthy Georgian or a poorer Georgian person.

Use safe internet resources (like museum websites, BBC Bitesize history, or well-chosen YouTube videos for kids about the era) to find out about:

  1. Fashion: What did men, women, and children wear? How did clothes show if someone was rich or poor? Were they comfortable?
  2. Homes: What were their houses like inside and out? Did rich and poor people live in similar homes? What kind of furniture did they have?
  3. Daily Routine & Food: What might a typical day look like? What jobs did people do? What did they eat and drink? Was it easy to get food?
  4. Entertainment & Leisure: How did Georgians have fun without TV or video games? What did they do in their spare time? (Think about music, dancing, games, reading).

Take notes, draw simple sketches, or collect interesting facts. Think about details that make the period come alive!

Activity 2: Then vs. Now - A Georgian Chat (Approx. 20-30 minutes)

Let's talk about what you discovered!

  • What was the most surprising thing you learned about Georgian life?
  • How was fashion different then compared to your clothes today? Why do you think their clothes were so elaborate (or simple, if poor)?
  • What's one big difference in how people entertained themselves then versus now?
  • If you could ask a Georgian child one question, what would it be?
  • Let's compare: What are two things that seem much harder about life back then? What are two things that might have been nice?

Activity 3: My Georgian Creation (Approx. 45-60 minutes)

Time to get creative and show what it might have felt like to be Georgian! Choose ONE of these projects:

  1. A Georgian Diary Entry: Write a diary entry (about one page) as if you are a young person (boy or girl, rich or poor – you decide!) living in Georgian England. Describe part of your day: what you wore, what you ate, what you did, who you saw, and how you felt. Try to include details you researched!
  2. Georgian Fashion Plate: Design and draw a colourful picture of a Georgian outfit for a lady, a gentleman, or a child. Label the different parts of the outfit and explain why you chose certain styles or colours based on your research (e.g., 'This silk signifies wealth', 'These sturdy shoes are for working').
  3. My Georgian Scene: Draw or build (using craft supplies or LEGOs if you like) a scene from Georgian life. This could be a room in a house (kitchen, parlour), a street scene, or people at a specific event (like a market or a dance). Be ready to explain what's happening in your scene.
  4. A Day's Menu: Create a menu for a day's meals (breakfast, midday meal, evening meal) for EITHER a wealthy Georgian family OR a poor Georgian family. List the dishes and briefly describe them. What does this menu tell us about their life?

While you work, you could even listen to some classical music from the Georgian period (like Mozart or Haydn) to get in the mood!

Conclusion: Back to the Future! (Approx. 10-15 minutes)

Share your amazing creation! Let's reflect:

  • What was your favourite part about exploring the Georgian period?
  • After all you've learned, would you have liked to live back then? Why or why not?
  • What's one important thing the Georgian period can teach us about how life changes over time?

You've done a fantastic job stepping back in time today and using your creativity to understand the past!

Optional Extension Ideas:

  • Watch a child-friendly movie clip or short documentary about the Georgian era.
  • Try a very simple Georgian recipe (like making real lemonade or simple oatcakes).
  • If there's a local museum with a Georgian section or a historic house from that period nearby, plan a visit!
  • Find a children's book set in the Georgian period to read.