What's the story?
About this learning resource
Format: Image
Will your students be able to piece together the story behind these intriguing historic artefacts?
Activity Description
Students will start off by looking in detail at a very small section of an historic object. Educators will prompt them to think carefully, look for clues and ask questions. Slowly more of the object is revealed as the students piece together the story.
This simple activity can be used as a lesson warm-up or plenary. It can relate to various topics such as History, Art & Design and Working Scientifically.
Activity time
5 - 10 minutes
How to use this resource
- Open the image full screen and zoom in as far as you can on the middle of the image. For an extra challenge get the students to close their eyes whilst you pick a starting point.
- Spend time looking closely at this small section of the image. Ask your students these three questions:
What can you see?
What does it make you think of?
What do you want to know? - Zoom out slightly to reveal more of the image and ask the three questions again:
What can you see now?
What does it make you think of?
What do you want to know? - Repeat zooming out and discussing the three questions until the full image is revealed.
- Use the 'What's the Story' and 'Bonus question' sections to deepen your investigation
Resource Information
Key Stage
- KS1 (age 5-7)
- KS2 (age 7-11)
- KS3 (age 11-14)
- KS4 (age 15-16)
- KS5 (age 16+)
- Home Educators
- SEND
Subjects
- History
- English
- Science
- Art & Design
Topic
- Wars
Type
- For the classroom
Palace
- Tower of London
The Tower of London came under attack repeatedly during the Blitz. This plan records the locations of bomb strikes between September and December 1940.
Several parts of the Tower sustained damage, including the Hospital Block, the Main Guard, and the Master of the Assay Office - part of the Mint which had been built in the eighteenth century. Meanwhile, the North Bastion was completely destroyed during an attack on 5 October 1940, killing two of its occupants - Yeoman Warder Samuel Reeves and Lily Lunn.
1. The location of the River Thames
2. The Chapel of St Peter Ad Vincula (the burial place of Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey)
3. The King's House (the location where Guy Fawkes was interrogated)
1. How many different ‘bomb hits’ can you count on the map? Did they all happen at the same time?
2. Look at the map’s key in the bottom left corner. What extra information does this give you about the Main Guard and the Hospital Block?
3. Why do you think this map was created?
4. Do you think the Tower of London was involved with the war in any other ways?
History - Understand the methods of historical enquiry, including how evidence is used rigorously to make historical claims.
English - Asking relevant questions to extend understanding and knowledge.
Science – Using observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
Use observation skills to examine historic artefacts
Reflect on the different stories and perspectives that historic artefacts can tell
Find out more
Do you want to learn more about the Tower's role during the war? Then check out our histories and stories page all about the Tower at War.
Learn more about the Tower at War
Children depict the imprisonment of Guy Fawkes in the Tower of London for his role in the Gunpowder Plot, 1605.
Key facts about the Tudor King and each of his six wives.
