Some of the children in Y5 have been using real sources to help them find out about Victorian life.
They have used a family bible dating from 1881 to find out about the members of a real Victorian family, the Gibsons. A quilt made in 1885 helped them to find out about the life of the Gibsons’ little daughter Jenny. It showed the games and pastimes she enjoyed, favourite family members and significant developments such as the first postage stamps and the penny-farthing bicycle. The children also managed to make links between the family bible and the quilt. This is what they said: “Jenny Gibson’s quilt is made up of small embroidered squares. We think it was done by Jenny and her mum. On the quilt is a picture of someone called Aunt Charlotte. We think that Aunt Charlotte gave the bible to Jenny’s dad, because the inscription in the front of it says To J H Gibson with the best wishes of his sister, C E Gibson. We think C stands for Charlotte. We think Jenny must have loved her Aunt Charlotte and that is why there is a picture of her on the quilt”.
The children are working really hard on their Victorian theme, and are especially excited about their forthcoming visit to the Bronte Parsonage Museum when they hope to find even more answers to their questions!
