Knowledge organiser - Victorians - Year 2

The vocabulary section of a Year 2 knowledge organiser introduces students to key terms associated with the Victorian era. The term 'workhouse' refers to an institution that housed orphans, sick individuals, and unemployed poor people. A 'farthing' was a small coin valued at a quarter of an old penny, with four farthings making up one old penny. The 'gramophone' is described as an antiquated music player that played records. 'Gruel' is a simple food made by boiling a type of cereal, such as oats, wheat, rye flour, or rice, in water or milk. The 'Industrial Revolution' is defined as a period of rapid industrial development due to advancements in machinery. 'Chimney sweep apprentices' were children who were tasked with cleaning soot from chimney breasts.

Under key knowledge, students are expected to understand the distinct differences between life in Victorian Britain and today. They should know who the Victorians were and the significance of the Industrial Revolution, including its impact on the transformation of towns and cities in Britain. The organiser emphasises the contrast between the lives of children in the Victorian era and those of contemporary children, especially in the context of schooling. This knowledge is part of the 'Main Learning' segment for Year 2 history, which focuses on the period of the Victorians, a very long time ago. This learning builds upon any prior knowledge the students may have, as indicated in the organiser provided by Focus Education (UK) Ltd.