Key Stage Three

Lesson 1: Who was John Wesley? An Introduction to John Wesley and The New Room

Duration:

Lesson Overview:

This workshop introduces John Wesley, the early development of Methodism and the international importance of the historic New Room in Bristol.

Learning Objectives:

• To learn about John Wesley’s life and his impact on others
• To gain an overview of John Wesley’s beliefs and principles.
• To compare our principles with that of John Wesley – how are they the same? How are they different?
• To explore the Grade I listed New Room and discover why it is a local, national and international important heritage building.

Outline of Lesson: 

• Introduction – introducing John Wesley and the New Room, Bristol.
• Why should we care about John Wesley? Exploring some of his words and actions.
• How the Methodist Church was formed and what it does now.
• Follow up activities.

National Curriculum Links:

• KS3 History:
  • A local history study.
  • The development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745.

Lesson 2:How John Wesley opposed the Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans

Learning Objectives:

• To learn how John Wesley opposed the transatlantic traffic in enslaved Africans.
• To gain an understanding of Bristol and this country’s involvement in the transatlantic traffic in enslaved Africans.
• To investigate the opposition John Wesley faced and the role of the New Room.

Outline of Lesson: 

• Introduction to John Wesley and The New Room.
• Bristol’s involvement in the transatlantic traffic in enslaved Africans.
• John Wesley and his brother Charles and their experiences in America.
• John Wesley’s work in Bristol and his continued opposition.
• John Wesley’s book and last letter to William Wilberforce.
• The New Room Riot.

National Curriculum Links:

• KS3 History
  • Local history study
  • Ideas, political power, industry and empire: Britain, 1745-1901.

If you wish to buy these lessons for your own use they are available in a resource pack from our online shop: