Description
KS2 resource pack featuring two lesson plans and Powerpoints for use in school, plus free ‘Tale of Two Statues’ resource – 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)
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 Bonus 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?
