The Great Fire of London: Flames, Fears, and Rebuilding

• Mathematics
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

The Great Fire of London: Flames, Fears, and Rebuilding

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand the causes, events, and impact of the Great Fire of London.

What do you already know about the Great Fire of London?

London in 1666

London was a bustling city with narrow streets, wooden houses, and crowded markets.

The Fire Starts

On September 2, 1666, a fire broke out in a bakery on Pudding Lane.

Spreading Flames

Strong winds helped the fire spread rapidly from house to house.

Panic and Escape

People ran through the streets, carrying their belongings and seeking safety.

Fighting the Fire

Firefighters used buckets of water and fire hooks to try to stop the fire.

The Destruction

The fire burned for three days, destroying over 13,000 houses, 87 churches, and many other buildings.

Rebuilding London

After the fire, London was rebuilt with wider streets and buildings made of brick and stone.

Samuel Pepys' Diary

Samuel Pepys, a famous diarist, wrote about the Great Fire and its impact on London.

The Monument

The Monument was built to commemorate the Great Fire of London and stands near the site where it started.

Learning from the Fire

The Great Fire of London led to improvements in firefighting and city planning.

Interactive Activity: Design a Fire Safety Plan

Draw a floor plan of your house and mark the escape routes and meeting points in case of a fire.

Quiz Time: True or False

The Great Fire of London lasted for two weeks.

Key Figures

Introduce key figures such as King Charles II, Thomas Farriner (the baker), and Sir Christopher Wren (architect).

The Legacy

The Great Fire of London changed the city forever and remains an important event in its history.

Historical Artifacts

Show images of artifacts from the Great Fire, such as fire hooks, buckets, and maps.

Creative Writing: A Letter from 1666

Imagine you lived in London during the Great Fire. Write a letter describing your experience.

Video: The Great Fire of London

Watch a short video that depicts the events of the Great Fire and its aftermath.

Reflection and Discussion

Discuss the students' thoughts and feelings about the Great Fire of London.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points about the Great Fire of London and its significance.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.