This active thinking skills lesson asks pupils to consider the likely effect of the coming of the railways on different groups in society before going on to take part in a role play in which villagers have to debate whether they should support or oppose the coming of the railway to their town soon. For some pupils living on a direct line between London and Birmingham this will be highly relevant.
Learning objectives
- Pupils are able to see that there were winners and losers with the coming of the railways;
- they can begin to predict the likely effect the railways would have had on different occupations;
- they can cooperate in group decision-making and can articulate and give a strong reason for adopting a particular point of view.
Step 1
The lesson starts by setting the scene for the beginning of the railways, giving just enough context so that pupils can
