Objectives: Write a letter to Elizabeth Fry, demonstrating understanding of some ways in which she helped people in Newgate prison. Develop understanding about why some people are described as 'famous'.
National Curriculum: Recall some details about the life of Elizabeth Fry; identify some of the effects of what Elizabeth Fry did for people in prison; consider why Elizabeth Fry' is a famous person. Produce a simple account of why Elizabeth Fry is considered a famous person. [Extension]
Resources required: Online story; a letter writing frame for some children - activity sheet 1; activity sheet 2 - My reasons why Elizabeth Fry is a famous person; online photograph of Elizabeth Fry.
Teaching Activities: Introduction: Discussion with children about people who help us. What kind of people are they? What do they do? Who do they help and why?
Discuss why people are sent to prison and what life in prison is like.
Ask children to recall the main events of the story of Elizabeth Fry. Ask them to think why children were in prison with or without their mothers. Ask them to think about why Elizabeth Fry wanted to help the children and how she helped them.
Discuss with children why Elizabeth Fry is still remembered.
Activity: Pretend you are a child in Newgate prison. Elizabeth Fry has been to the prison and made some changes that have improved your life in prison.
Write a 'thank you' letter to Elizabeth Fry telling her how she has helped you. Some children could use a writing frame. Some children could combine writing and pictures. [Activity sheet 1]
Extension activity: Some children could write a letter to a newspaper editor today, listing their reasons why Elizabeth Fry should be included in a list of very famous people. [Activity sheet 2]
Plenary: Children read out their letters. Teacher records the things identified by children. Some children can word process these, putting them together in a 'letters to the editor' page in a class newspaper alongside a picture of Elizabeth Fry.
