Description

KS2 resource pack featuring two lesson plans and Powerpoints for use in school about John Wesley and Methodism, plus one ‘Tale of Two Statues’ lesson plan contrasting Wesley and Colston and their attitudes to slavery – suitable for ages 7-11.

Lesson 1 – Introducing John Wesley (approx. 1 hour)
Lesson 2 – Causing A Riot: How John Wesley opposed the slave trade in Bristol (approx. 1 hour)

Lesson 3 – A Tale of Two Statues (approx 1hour 30 mins)

All lessons come with follow up ideas for future work.  If you would like to arrange a classroom visit, virtual class or school trip, please contact us to discuss.  Full details can be found here: www.newroombristol.org.uk/schools

Please note, resource packs will be sent by email as a zip file to be downloaded within 30 days of purchase.  Once payment has been processed, you will receive email with download links – there may be a short delay from purchase confirmation to receiving the download link.

KS2 Lesson 1 – Introducing John Wesley (approx. 1 hour)

Learning Objectives:

• To learn about John Wesley’s life and his impact on others
• To understand what the word ‘Methodist’ means and where it came from
• To gain an overview of John Wesley’s beliefs and principles and how he tried to live them out.
• To compare our principles with that of John Wesley – how are they the same? How are they different?

Outline of Lesson: (Powerpoint and resources supplied)

• Introduction
• Talk – introducing John Wesley and his statue at the New Room, Bristol
• Telling Wesley’s story
• 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.
• Class activity using John Wesley’s Manifesto document and the My Manifesto document – what issues would we agree on? What would be different?
• Discussion
• Follow up ideas

National Curriculum Links:

• KS2 History – A local history study.
• KS2 RE – Christianity – how should we live and who can inspire us?

KS2 Lesson 2 – Causing A Riot: How John Wesley opposed the slave trade in Bristol    (approx. 1 hour)

Learning Objectives:

• To understand how the 18th century slave trade was linked to Bristol and the conditions under which the slaves were transported.
• To understand how John Wesley opposed slavery and the actions he took to stand up for what he believed in.
• The story of the New Room Riot.
• To understand the opposition he faced and the role the New Room played at this time.

Outline of Lesson: (Powerpoint and resources supplied)

• Introduction
• Short talk about Bristol’s involvement in the 18th century transatlantic slave trade using age appropriate video clips
• Introduction to John Wesley and his brother Charles and their experiences in America, witnessing first hand the cruelties of the slave trade.
• John Wesley’s work in Bristol and his continued opposition to the merchants.
• Two men who influenced him – Benezet and Equiano.
• His book ‘Thoughts on Slavery’ and his last letter to William Wilberforce.
• The Story of the New Room Riot
• Letter writing activity
• Follow up ideas.

Curriculum Links:

• KS2 History – A local history study (Slavery and Abolition in Bristol and John Wesley’s role in the local abolition movement)
• KS2 RE – Christianity – How should we live and who can inspire us?

KS2 Lesson 3 – A Tale of Two Statues (approx. 1.5 hours)

In partnership with RE Today

Comparing the stories of two Bristolian statues – John Wesley and Edward Colston

Learning Objectives:

• An exploration of racism and prejudice through the stories of two statues in the same city.
• What can we learn from the stories of the statues of John Wesley and Edward Colston?
• A question of justice: Does religion contribute to racism, or does it contribute to justice and fairness? Or both? How might communities become more just?

Outline of Lesson: (Powerpoint and resources supplied)

• Introduction
• Statues: how and why do we remember?
• Facts and Quiz about John Wesley
• Facts and Quiz about Edward Colston
• Recap
• John Wesley’s opposition to slavery
• June 2020: what happened to Colston’s statue (with clip)
• Discussion: was it a good thing to throw Colston’s statue in the docks? Select the best arguments from those offered.
• Why should Wesley be remembered with a statue?
• Classroom activity: The Conversation
• Classroom Activity: Human Bar Chart
• Summing up

Curriculum Links:

• KS2 History – A local history study (Slavery and Abolition in Bristol and John Wesley’s role in the local abolition movement)
• KS2 RE – Christianity – How should we live and who can inspire us?