Cops and robbers - What do I know about the Peterloo Massacre?

In an interactive classroom activity designed to engage pupils in learning about the Peterloo Massacre, a game of 'Cops and Robbers' is employed to facilitate knowledge sharing and recall. Pupils are grouped into teams of four and initially given two minutes to independently jot down everything they can remember about the Peterloo Massacre on the left side of a chart. This segment of the activity encourages individual recall and serves as an assessment of their existing knowledge on the historical event.

Following the initial recall phase, each pupil is allocated 60 seconds to review the notes of their three teammates. During this time, they are on the lookout for any information that they hadn't recalled themselves, effectively 'stealing' knowledge from their peers. After this review, pupils have the opportunity to add this new information to the 'stolen knowledge' section of their chart. This collaborative part of the exercise not only reinforces individual learning but also promotes group interaction and the sharing of information. Points are awarded for each piece of information recorded, turning the activity into a competitive and engaging learning experience. The entire activity is designed to take approximately 15 minutes, and it also serves to spark curiosity about the historical development of Manchester as one of the leading cities in the UK.