HISTORY
Day Programme for Key Stage 2 - Year 3 or 4

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO LIVE HERE IN THE PAST?

Unit 18 QCA/DfEE - A Scheme of Work

This one day programme has been designed to meet many of the requirements of the revised Curriculum 2000 and is based on Unit 18 from the QCA/DfEE - a scheme of work for history.

During this one day programme, children will be introduced to an enquiry based approach to a local study of New Mills. The focus for the unit will be the buildings of New Mills, the mills, the shops and houses and civic and service buildings. These buildings will become a resource along with census data, maps and old photographs. The day will, therefore, provide an excellent way to develop fieldwork and research skills, as well as the chance to consider citizenship issues such as planning for change, conservation, local identity and social responsibility.

New Mills grew up in the late 1700's as a result of the building of mills in the bottom of the deep river gorge. These mills used the power of the fast flowing rivers, the Goyt and the Sett, to work the spinning and weaving machines that produced cotton goods.

The town grew up around these mills and for 150 years the town grew and prospered. In the last century the manufacture of cotton goods in New Mills has declined and now new uses are being sought for one of the remaining mill, Torr Vale Mill. The day programme will investigate how life has changed in New Mills over three centuries.

9.30 Welcome and introduction
Key Question
What was New Mills like in the past?
Activities
Classroom including maps and slide show to introduce ideas of what New Mills was like in the late 1700's

10.30 Break - everyone will be given a drink and a biscuit

11.00 Key Questions
What can the local buildings tell us about New Mills in the past?
What was New Mills like in the 1800's
Activities
A range of classroom and fieldwork activities to find out about Victorian New Mills and to focus on the industrial heritage of New Mills

12.00 Lunch - please bring own packed lunch to eat in the centre

12.30 Key Question
How did New Mills change in the 1900's
Activities
A range of classroom and fieldwork activities to answer this question

2.00 Key Question
How might New Mills change in this century
Activities
A range of class work to consider the possible new uses for Torr Vale Mill

2.30 Leave