Word sorts - History of Manchester

In an engaging classroom activity designed to explore the rich tapestry of Manchester's past, students are encouraged to work in pairs to sift through a list of words and identify those that are intrinsically linked to the history of Manchester. This word sort exercise not only tests their knowledge but also sparks discussion about the city's heritage. Among the terms presented, students are tasked with circling six words that they associate with key events, landmarks, and the industrial legacy that Manchester is known for. Each pair is given 10 minutes to deliberate and make their selections, with the aim of earning one point for each correct identification.

The list includes a mix of words, some directly connected to Manchester, such as 'Peterloo', which refers to the Peterloo Massacre of 1819, a pivotal event in the city's history, and 'Cottonopolis', a nickname from the 19th century when Manchester was the heart of the global cotton industry. Other terms like 'Industrial Revolution' are indicative of the era that transformed Manchester into an industrial powerhouse. Students must discern these from unrelated words such as 'Middlesex' or 'Thames', which pertain to other regions of the UK. The activity not only reinforces historical facts but also prompts students to consider the broader question of how Manchester evolved into one of the UK's leading cities.