Bonfire night (5 November) – the annual commemoration of a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 – is just around the corner.
While Robert Catesby might have masterminded the scheme, it’s the story of Guy Fawkes – the man in charge of the explosives – who really sets students’ imaginations alight. Our lesson resources will help you make this tale of gunpowder, treason and plot sparkle in the classroom.
Primary schools
Introduce the gunpowder plot using this sequencing activity from Twinkl. Working in pairs, ask pupils to put the pictures in the correct order. As a follow-up activity, encourage them to write about the plot in their own words, using simple prompts such as first, next, then and finally.
With older primary students, explore the conspiracy in more detail using this two-part lesson plan from UK parliament. It starts by looking at the details of the plot and introduces the different perspectives on the story. The hot seat activity is a great way for classes to explore the actions of key figures including King James I, conspirator Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes himself. Can students offer justifications for the characters on both sides?
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Bonfire night celebrations have become more elaborate over the years, as this video shows. Encourage students to share their own experiences of the evening in a class discussion, and set them a creative writing task about a real or imagined fireworks party.
Bonfire night artwork is also a great way into the topic; coloured chalk on black paper or wax crayon washed over with black paint make for wonderful fireworks pictures. Or why not try a bonfire painting or collage made using tissue paper? Other crafty ideas include rockets made from kitchen roll tubes and sparklers made from straws and glitter. You’ll find more art and craft activities that can be adapted for different abilities and age groups here.
Add a bit of sparkle to your science lessons with some Guy Fawkes-themed experiments. You could try making a firework in a glass using water, oil and food colouring, or looking at the chemistry of fireworks and how they work. You’ll find more ideas here.
Fireworks can be great fun, but it’s important to discuss staying safe while celebrating. The Bonfire Night Safety website offers a comprehensive guide to dos and don’ts. As a group activity, students could write their own fireworks safety code or design a bonfire night safety poster.
On a lighter note, you could challenge your students to write a new version of the traditional “Remember, remember the fifth of November” rhyme, perhaps in the style of a rap or an acrostic poem. And this bonfire night-themed addition worksheet, word search and colouring sheet could be stapled together to make a fun activity book.
And finally, Musical Contexts asks students to create firework sounds using different instruments or suitable sound sources in the classroom. Can they master the art of the Catherine wheel or a Roman candle?
Secondary schools
Primary historical evidence is a great way to take older students back in time. Show them the letter sent to Lord Monteagle, warning him that parliament was about to receive “a terrible blow”; an extract from the examination of “John Johnson” (Guy Fawkes); and the royal proclamation made after the plot was uncovered. These are part of the National Archives resources. Students can use this evidence to write a report on the events, including an analysis of its weaknesses. Alternatively, separate groups could work on analysing different sources before presenting them to the rest of the class.
Make sure your students understand why the gunpowder plot’s conspirators felt the need to go to such extreme lengths. This bonfire night assembly created by TrueTube raises a number of debate questions. For example, could the plotters have been set up by the government to provide an excuse to crack down on Roman Catholics? Given its links to the persecution of a religious group, do pupils think we should still celebrate bonfire night? And what might have happened had the gunpowder plot succeeded?
Guy Fawkes reportedly said that if the plot was successful, “the people themselves would elect a head”. Recent protests against the government have included similar calls for a more direct system of democracy, as explored in this news article by The Day. Working in groups, students could use the article to explore the difference between parliamentary democracy and direct democracy. What do they see as the pros and cons of each system?
There are plenty more news articles related to bonfire night here, including details of a crackdown on cheap fancy dress costumes that could pose a fire hazard and an investigation into how much air pollution is caused by fireworks. As a homework assignment, students could research and write a bonfire-themed article of their own.
Finally, use the event to get students interested in democracy in the UK. Parliament Week, which runs from 16 to 22 November, aims to get young people thinking about what parliamentary democracy means to them and their communities. There are numerous activities on the Parliament Week website including an interactive game which gives students a go at being prime minister, and a 60-second video that explains how parliament works.
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Source:How to teach … Guy Fawkes