1.  starter activity Dickens wrote the book ‘Oliver Twist’ in 1838 about a young orphan who goes to a Victorian workhouse. What sorts of things can we learn about workhouses from novels like this.  Do you think this film, made in 1948 is any more accurate? Why?

2. Were workhouses necessary ? TBAT explain why the Poor Law was passed To assess the + and – of the Victorian Poor Law 1834  Learning objectives

3.  Your task Read the extract your teacher provides. Make a note of the reasons why the Poor Law was passed. Read the extract your teacher provides. Make a note of the reasons why the Poor Law was passed.  What are some of the problems with this law?  What are some of the problems with this law?

4. 1605, Poor Law Make each parish responsible for its poor Make each parish responsible for its poor Money raised from property owners paid for the care of the poor Money raised from property owners paid for the care of the poor Poor were divided in to able-bodied and those who couldn’t help themselves Poor were divided in to able-bodied and those who couldn’t help themselves

5.  Your task Why did this system work until the Industrial Revolution? Study the cards your teacher gives you. Can you see any links between the reasons why the system broke down? Why did this system work until the Industrial Revolution? Study the cards your teacher gives you. Can you see any links between the reasons why the system broke down?  Which reason would have worried people most in the Victorian age?  Which reason would have worried people most in the Victorian age? Write a short paragraph explaining in 2 -3 sentences why the old Poor Law system broke down. Write a short paragraph explaining in 2 -3 sentences why the old Poor Law system broke down.

6.  Your task Read about the new Victorian Poor Law, 1834. Highlight all the positive changes this law introduced in one colour and problems in another. Read about the new Victorian Poor Law, 1834. Highlight all the positive changes this law introduced in one colour and problems in another. Which aspects of work houses would you maintain today? Which aspects of work houses would you maintain today?

7.  Your task Next lesson we shall hold a BIG debate on whether workhouses were good or bad for the Victorian poor. Study the role card and note down at least 3 key points that you want to make in the debate. Next lesson we shall hold a BIG debate on whether workhouses were good or bad for the Victorian poor. Study the role card and note down at least 3 key points that you want to make in the debate.  Conduct some further research using the weblinks & family history to support your ideas  Conduct some further research using the weblinks & family history to support your ideas

8. Plenary Plenary Why was the Elizabethan Poor Law passed? Why was the Elizabethan Poor Law passed? Why did the Victorians pass a new Poor Law in 1834? Why did the Victorians pass a new Poor Law in 1834?  How much of an improvement was the new Poor Law?  How much of an improvement was the new Poor Law?