Cops and robbers! - How has crime and punishment changed through the ages?

The 'Cops and robbers' activity is an engaging and collaborative way for pupils to explore the evolution of crime and punishment through the ages. In groups of four, pupils begin by spending two minutes jotting down everything they can recall about the topic on the left side of a chart. This section is dedicated to their own remembered knowledge and serves as a starting point for the exercise. After this individual reflection, each pupil has one minute to review the notes of their three peers, searching for any information they haven't noted themselves.

Following this, pupils have the opportunity to 'steal' knowledge from each other, adding any new information they have discovered to the 'stolen knowledge' section of the chart. This part of the activity not only encourages pupils to learn from one another but also to recognize the value of sharing information in a group setting. Each piece of information recorded is awarded two points, turning the exercise into a friendly competition and adding an element of fun to the learning process. The entire activity is designed to take approximately 15 minutes, providing a quick and interactive way for pupils to deepen their understanding of how societal approaches to crime and punishment have shifted over time.