Guy Fawkes lesson plan
Two lessons on the Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes
Included supporting resources: Remember, Remember poem, acrostic poem worksheet, storyboard worksheet
Lesson 1
Starter
Begin with class discussion about how much the students know about Guy Fawkes & Bonfire Night. Explain that Bonfire Night is to remember the famous plot in 1605 when seven men attempted to blow up the King and Parliament, and that it became known as the Gunpowder Plot.
Whole class activity
Explain the event to the class and also explain that the cellars in Parliament are still checked by guards every year just before the start of the Royal State Opening of Parliament ceremony.
Look at the ‘Remember, Remember’ poem. The whole class could recite this together.
Group activity
Ask the students to carry out a storyboarding task in small groups, using the storyboard worksheet. They should cut out the storyboard cards and put them into the correct sequence for the story. This will check their understanding of the story.
Summary of key points
In small groups, pairs or individually, the students should write an acrostic poem using the words ‘Gunpowder Plot’ and selecting key points from the story.
Plenary
Write a class acrostic poem, using ideas from the students’ own poems.
Lesson 2
Starter
Hand out the storyboard card sort from the previous lesson and see which group can put the story together in the fastest time.
Whole class activity
Each person should choose a character from the story. In pairs they should discuss (or write down) three facts about what happened to that person and how they must have felt at different points in the story. Ask for a volunteer to ‘take the hot seat’. Ask that person (in character) a series of questions about their identity, their role in the plot, their motivations for their actions and how it made them feel.
Always reassure the students that the person in the hot seat is in character and not answering the questions as themselves.
The class should try to think of questions to ask. Ask for further volunteers to take the hot seat.
Summary of key points
Ask students to feedback their opinions from this exercise and facilitate a whole class discussion. This exercise will allow you to explore the concept of taking responsible action to bring about change. Summarise the discussion into three or four key points.
Plenary
Take a look back at the ‘Remember Remember’ poem. Ask the students to create a new poem, song or rap in remembrance of the Gunpowder Plot.Finish by sharing some of these with the class.
Remember, Remember poem
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, ‘twas his intent
To blow up King and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below,
To prove old England's overthrow.
By God's mercy he was catched,
With a dark lantern and lighted match.
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring,
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the King
Gunpowder Plot worksheet
Acrostic poem
Gis for the guards searching the cellar for the gunpowder.
U...... N......
P......
O......
W ......
D......
E......
R......
P ......
L ......
O......
T ......
Key words from the story:tunnel, dig, cellar, letter, Lord Monteagle, Robert Catesby, Parliament, hung, drawn, quartered, Tower of London, torture, rack, Catholic, Protestant, religion, arrest, barrels, matches, Royal State Opening of Parliament ceremony.
Gunpowder Plot storyboard