Little Victorians - The Trapper

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

Children in the coal mines

Learning Aim

We are learning to understand what life was like

for children working in a coal mine in the Victorian era.

In the early days of the railways Glasgow was a city where many trains /locomotives were made.

This engine  was built in the 1850's by Neilson & Company  in Glasgow.

.

 Rail transport was one of the most important developments 

of the Victorian era 

The iron rail roads:

All this iron to build the trains and the tracks and bridges needed a lot of coal.  

Coal was the main source of power in Victorian times. It was used for cooking and heating, and for driving machinery, trains and steam ships. 

The Trapper

What would it be like to be
underground with no electric light?

Trappers

During listening: one question to focus on

the question: ‘What different jobs for children are there in the coal mine? '

Instruction: ‘Write names of jobs down while you listen’ 

name different
jobs for children in a mine

Firedamp

One big danger in the mine was

‘fi redamp,’ gasses that could build up and

explode if lit by candles or oil lamps.

Discussion question: ‘What else would you worry

about if you were working down a mine?’

What else would you worry
about if you were working down a mine?

Sorting coal

During listening: one question to focus on

Key question: ‘Why do they use children to sort the coal??’

Instruction: ‘Make a note of reasons why they use children for this work.’

Why do you think
children are used for working at the mine

Danger in the mine

What bad things could happen to you when you're working in a mine? 

What were the dangers of
working down a mine?

Write down three things that you have learnt in today's lesson.