WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE FOR CHILDREN WORKING IN THE TEXTILE MILLS IN THE 1800S?

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: To understand what life was like for the children who worked in textile mills in the 1800s

‘ ‘ ‘ THE CHILDREN WHO BUILT VICTORIAN BRITAIN ’ What were the child workers known as in the 1800s? Why did children want to work in the factories? Why did the factory owners want orphans to work in their factories? What did Thomas Burkes do to young, factory worker Charlotte Smith when she tried to run away from his factory? In your own words, briefly describe how you think you would have felt, if you worked in one of these factories? Why?

CARD SORT Who said what? Match the statements on the cards with the right person: Child worker Factory owner Overseer Parent of child worker

THE VICTORIAN WORKERS’ SONG

EXTENSION TASK Write a short letter to a parent, as if you were an overseer in a textile mill. Explain why you treated the children working in your factory so badly.